3D Printing for Income

Welcome! In this program, you will discover some of the best 3D products to quickly sell and also those you should avoid. The program will provide you with structure, community, and accountability to reach your goals. You will have access to live learning sessions, text prompts, templates, product posting and photography cheat sheets and the best market research tools. You’ll learn how to find functional products you can adapt, customize and then develop the system and habit to sustain the sales you need to grow even beyond your small home or garage setup.

Getting started - 5 Steps to profitable 3D Printing

I thought the first step was to get a 3D Printer, I was wrong, In fact, I was wrong about a lot of things. I learned a lot, then I decided to focus and design 3D functional objects that were also aesthetically engaging and fun (like that 1st little shark). I chose a specific niche market like fishing. But when I got down to it, starting with my first product, skateboard lights, I found that it was way more difficult than I anticipated to deliver orders, stay motivated, and not get burnt out. But, I stuck with it, and through trial and error, I built a process I could repeat, and I call it my cash machine.

Best Affordable 3D Printers - May 2022

Here's what you need to know about buying a reliable affordable 3D Printer

  • At 1st - buy a used 3D Printer on Craiglist.com, offerup.com, facebook.com’s Market Place or letGo.com

  • Upgrade to a small production printer after you master your prototype 3D printer

  • Invest in high-end new filament stored in airtight bags

Ziploc bags 12x15 Reclosable Zip Plastic Poly Bags - Product Link

Moisture Absorbers Silica Gel Packs Desiccant Product Link

How to Build a 3D Printing Digital File Cash Machine

Building your model library is part of your overall the success plan.

  • Save the purchase order and email correspondence of all custom work you hire out.

  • Download and edit this license doc for the files you sell.

  • Hire modelers on Fivverr.com with the rights to sell files.

  • Use WordPress, Squarespace, Facebook Marketplace or Etsy to sell your models.

3D Printed Products That (Actually) Sell

So what EVERYONE ELSE is printing is NOT what…

  • NSPs = Non-Sexy Products

  • Print in a Niche Only - “The Riches are in the Niches”

  • Consider Rare Automotive Parts, Collector Figurines, Gaming, Movies, Characters, Kayaking, Camping, Fishing Lures, 4x4 Fans, Cigar Enthusiasts, Medical Supplies

  • Join Facebook/ Meetup groups and be friendly 1st

3D Printing Selling Tips & Tricks

  • Calculate your profit margin

  • Protect yourself - understand copyrights

  • Etsy.com Pros/Cons

  • Fiverrr.com Pro/Cons

  • Ebay.com Pro/Cons

3D Printing - Winning Repeat Customer Tips

Your goal here is to build a repeat customer network by empowering people that already invested in YOU to profit from your success.

  • Tip 1 -Make label immediately, and provide an extra product for 1st customers. (Relationship Builder)

  • Tip 2 - Send YOUR customer email thank-yous and follow-ups. (Relationship Builder)

  • Tip 3 - Follow up in 2 weeks to find out if they’re content and have ideas for product improvement.

  • Tip 4 -Offer YOUR customer 50% off on their next 3D Printing product order.

  • Tip 5 - Always use custom packaging and thermoform waterproof labels with your logo.

3D Printing Budget Automatic Marketing

  • Your product works and it’d ready to sell, So what’s next?

  • Nothing will sell at higher volumes marketing (ads, messaging, connections, communications)

  • At first, keep your product line tight (5 Products max) and focus on one of your 5 niche areas. (fishing, drones, etc)

  • Sell your passion hobby (niche) not the product, never say “these” are for sale. You’re just offering them.

  • Join Facebook and Meetups groups, get to know people with your interests and it’s also fun.

  • If selling digital 3d Files, sell a combo pack.

  • Read 10 Automatic Social Media Tools (link)

3D Printing Shipping Tips

Shipping is a vital component of any small business, but when completed effortlessly it’s more about building relationships than “Shipping” pains. Folks are demanding products faster than ever and they have high expectations as to how their product arrives and what kind of “unboxing” experience they have. Let’s get this right.

My Label Maker Product Link

My Boxes Product Link

My Branded Envelopes Product Link

ShipStation Inexspensive Montlhy Service Link

3D Printing Home Manufacturing Tips

In highly competitive industries, time to market can be the deciding factor that determines a brand’s success. Production using 3D printing can greatly reduce time to market by avoiding traditional tooling methods, cutting lead times on prototypes and end-use parts.

  • Have dedicated work post-print surface with drill bits, wire brushes and sanding blocks to remove filament hairs.

  • Use labels, and a small UPC Sticker on a plastic bag that says it went thru a Quality Process (QA)

  • Run products in batches, they come out better.

  • Store and organize inventory in clear stackable bins.

Where to find 3D Printing Functional Products That Will Actually Sell

In this section were heading on a field trip to Reddit to view functional items that could actually sell in your store. The point of this video is where to find inspiration for your products.

https://www.reddit.com/r/functionalprint/

3D Printing Test Marketing

You can evaluate the viability of your product in many ways. For example, paid surveys, market research mobile apps, consignment testing, and freelance market researchers are all cost-effective ways to test-market your product. It pays to get real-world feedback before launching a new product.

Profitable Fusion 360 for 3D Printing

  • How to get the software for Hobbyists

  • Quick (Essentials) Interface Overview

  • Importing SVG (Customizing models with Names and logos)

  • Importing DXF

  • Importing STL Meshes

  • Adding Parameters (variables) to revise Models easily.

  • Exporting STLs for Prototypes and Final Production Prints