Have you heard about how lucrative it can be to make and sell 3d printed crafts? And now you want to know how to get in on this market, maybe even make it your side hustle?
I’ve got a list of 50 things to print and sell with 3-D printing technology plus the easiest way that you can make 3d models even if you don’t own a printer!
You’ll also find out the best ways that you can make money from these crafts and the best places to sell them.
I get commissions for purchases made through some of the links in this post. There is no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
Tools You Need to 3D Print
Get started with the right tools. You don’t need to get every top-of-the-line tool to begin but you will need a few key items.
Here is a list of the best supplies so that you can start today.
- All in one 3-d printer (Snapmaker Artisan can print 3-D designs like letters, signs, and puzzles)
- 3-D design files
- Filament
- Work table
What 3D prints sell the most?
Need a few printing ideas? Find out what’s popular and the best things to make the most money.
- Articulated dragons
- 3D printed files
- Planters
- Earrings
- lamp
- Mini milk crates
- Balisong trainer butterfly knife
- Nameplate
- Cricut Maker legs/risers
- Phone cases
- Turkish spindle
- Light mirror
- Home decor
- Keychain
- soda or beer can holder
- miniature figurines
- computer mouse cover
- Chess set
- spare parts
- Skull
- Lithopane light box
- Board games
- Cutting mat holder
- Tea light holder
- Vape cartridge
- Fruit basket
- Jewelry dish
- Chopping board holder
- Coffee capsule holder
- Easter egg decorations
- Pendant necklace
- Night lights
- Katana sword
- Mask
- City maps
- Card holder
- Valentine’s day decorations
- Light switch cover
- Trophy
- Letter wall art
- Vase
- Custom name pen
- Koozie
- Bird feeder
- Vegetable markers
- Rings
- Bracelets
- Headbands
- Helmets
- Crown
Useful Things to Print
When looking for things to print, a good idea would be to think about what most people will consider useful in their everyday lives.
The best options are things that we use around the house like cups, office supplies, and toys. They all need a place to keep them organized or something to hold them.
Useful things to print for these household items could be cup holders, coasters, a hair dryer holder, a utensil caddy, a desk tray, or an earbud case.
Take a look around your house and you’ll see that there are lots of things that you can print that can be very helpful.
Can you sell things you 3D print?
Whether or not you can sell things your 3d print depends on what you’re printing.
Ask yourself the following question before you even think about putting any of your crafts up for sale.
Do you own the intellectual property for what you’re printing?
It may be tempting to knock off a design from a well-known big brand (like the one with that popular loveable mouse, you know what I’m talking about).
But, you could be setting yourself up for major headaches down the line if word gets out that you’re doing that. Check out my post on 3 things to avoid when selling online.
When in doubt, stick with your own creative ideas. Many of the popular selling items that I listed above are based on generic ideas that can be customized with your own personal touch.
Do I need a license to sell this?
If you buy stl files instead of making your own 3d designs, you may or may not be able to sell what you make with the file.
Some sellers include a license that gives you permission to sell your printing projects.
Sometimes, the seller will indicate the file is only good for personal use.
Check the terms and conditions before buying the file.
How much money can you make selling 3D prints?
Is it worth your time to sell 3D printed objects? Definitely! You could make thousands of dollars selling 3-dimensional crafts. The industry is new to the general public but it’s on the rise.
According to Grand View Research, a company that performs market analysis reports, the global 3D printing market size was valued at USD 16.75 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.3% from 2023 to 2030.
How can I make money selling 3D prints?
So now that you know what you can print and what’s popular with buyers, it’s time to figure out how you can make money selling them.
Selling on Online Marketplaces
Online marketplaces are a great option for selling your designs. This is because they already have a built in base of potential customers.
People are going to these sites with an idea of what they want to buy. Most of the time, they will type the specific thing they want in the search bar and then buy the item.
Pros:
- Lots of buyers on site
- Save on marketing costs
- Minimal fees
Cons:
- Plenty of competition
- Less freedom in your presentation and branding
- No control on fee increases
Selling on Your Own Website
Avoid the competition by selling your printed objects on your own online shop. Selling on your own site means that you are in charge of everything. You get to pick the branding and there is no one competing with you next to your listings in your own shop.
Pros:
- No on-site competition
- Customizable branding
- Choose your own payment processor
Cons:
- Added costs for marketing and advertising
- Need to find your own customers
- Responsible for sales tax
Start Your 3-d Printing Shop with No Money
You don’t need any money to start because you can transform nothing into a 3D Printed Product Business. You’ve got this!
Forget about shelling out cash for inventory upfront. With Shopify, you can set up your store, showcase your unique creations, and only pay for inventory once you’ve made your first sale.
Plus, they have a plugin that links you with Print on Demand suppliers.
Don’t sweat it if you’re not a 3D design pro – you can partner up with talented designers from platforms like Fiverr to make your product plans come to life.
If you’re ready to dip your toes into the world of 3D printing business, and minimize risks, this could be your golden opportunity.
Profitable Printing Business Ideas
An easy way to make profits in the printing industry without selling physical goods is by selling digital products.
There are shops that sell stl files as well as finished designs.
Selling the files is an excellent way to bring in passive income for them. The best part is that it requires no extra work on their end.
Offer unique designs that will set you apart from what everyone else is making and you’ll be sure to find loyal customers.
Use Printing Services
Printing one, two or three items daily is doable. But what about when your orders start to take off?
Will you be able to keep up with 10, 20 or more orders per day?
How can you keep up? How can you make things easier on yourself? Consider using printing services.
There are companies and shops online that will print your designs or parts for you. Take a look at this 3D printing service shop on Etsy.
They can print any popular design from sites such as Thingiverse or Cults3D, in different materials (COLOR PLA, wood, carbon, marble, etc.).
If you need replacement parts or you have a toy or small 3D model that needs to be repaired, they can also do that.
Companies like Shapeways or Sculpteo offer prototype and 3d product printing done by professionals.
A benefit of using a service like this is that you’ll save time. Especially if you use 3D printing to make complex and multi-part designs. A printing service can print it as one piece.
Shapeways
Not only does Shapeways print your objects for you, but they also offer print on demand. You can get a quote online to help give you an idea of how much the products and shipping will cost you.
Sculpteo
Sculpteo has a simple 3 step process.
- You design the product
- They’ll 3-d print it
- You receive your printed product.
They also offer online laser cutting as a service.
How much does it cost to 3D print something?
You may be surprised at how affordable it is to 3d print something after you’ve covered the upfront cost of buying the printer and the supplies.
Here are a few ways to save extra money on what you plan to print.
- Buy in bulk – if you know that you will print a huge quantity of the same design, you can save money by getting your supplies in bulk. The prices will be lower than if you were to buy an individual item.
- Go small – make a smaller prototype size. You’ll be using less filament.
- Empty it – make your design hollow on the inside.
Can you order a 3D printed object?
Yes, you can order a 3D printed object from an online company or small business on Etsy.
Future of 3d Printer Projects
As you now know, the global marketplace for 3d designs is booming. A lot of people are getting in on it.
Now is the right time to start if you don’t want to get left behind.
Think about what kind of creative work you can make for this industry.
The legality of selling 3D prints can depend on a few factors, such as the copyright status of the object being printed and any applicable laws in your country or region.
If the 3D model being printed is protected by copyright, such as a design for a toy, it may be illegal to reproduce and sell the object without the permission of the copyright holder (the actual person or company that owns the design). In some cases, the copyright holder may offer a license or permit for individuals to sell 3D printed versions of their designs.
It’s important to note that laws around 3D printing and copyright can be complex and vary by jurisdiction, so it’s a good idea to do some research or seek legal advice if you’re unsure about the legality of selling 3D prints in your specific situation.
Additionally, it’s worth considering ethical considerations around selling 3D prints. Even if it may be legal to reproduce and sell a design, it’s important to consider whether doing so could harm the original creator or their ability to profit from their work. You don’t want to cheat anyone out of their hard earned money.
While 3D printing technology has advanced significantly in recent years, there are still some objects that cannot be 3D printed, at least not with current technology. Some examples include:
Objects with complex moving parts: While 3D printers can produce objects with movable parts, such as hinges or ball bearings, more complex mechanisms such as gears or other interlocking parts may be difficult to print with high precision.
Objects that require specific materials: While 3D printers can print with a variety of materials, including plastics, metals, and ceramics, there may be certain materials that are not compatible with a given printer or are not yet widely available for 3D printing, like wood or fabric.
Objects that require high precision: While 3D printers are capable of producing highly detailed objects, there may be certain objects that require a level of precision that cannot be achieved with current technology.
Objects that are too large: The size of the object that can be 3D printed is limited by the size of the printer itself. While some printers can produce very large objects, there may be certain objects that are too large to be printed with current technology.
Objects that require special manufacturing processes: Certain objects, such as those that require specialized molding or casting processes, may not be well-suited for 3D printing.
It’s worth noting that advances in 3D printing technology are being made all the time, so this list may change in the future as technology improves.
Yes, it is possible for a 3D printer to cause burns if proper safety precautions are not taken.
The extruder nozzle of a 3D printer heats up to very high temperatures, typically between 180-300 degrees Celsius (356-572 degrees Fahrenheit), in order to melt and extrude the printing material. If you come into contact with the nozzle or the hot end of the printer while it is in operation, it can cause a severe burn.
You can 3D print while you sleep if you start the machine before going to bed. But, this is not a good idea because the machine can get jammed or catch on fire, basically becoming a safety hazard.
So, while it’s technically possible to start a 3D print and leave the printer unattended while you sleep, it is generally not recommended due to the potential safety risks.
Instead, it’s best to monitor the printer while it is in operation and be prepared to take action in case of any issues. Many 3D printing enthusiasts set up webcams or remote monitoring systems to keep an eye on their printers while they are away.
Arthur
Thursday 7th of December 2023
I didn't see #1 or #50. Where are the 50 things?
Naa Ardua
Friday 8th of December 2023
There is a list of the 50 things near the top of the article.