What to 3D print to make money
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Here I will leave a list of ideas that can be used to earn money with a 3D printer.
Many of these ideas are currently applied by people who put their 3D printers to work and then publish their models on platforms like amazon or free market.
The objective of this list is not to copy what others do, but to offer examples that serve to generate new ideas.
Never forget that you must differentiate yourself from the rest, always looking Innovate, to be different and of improve yourself and your products.
Remember: Before printing a 3D model to sell, you should make sure that it is not copyrighted. You must always have permission from their creators to be able to sell them.
What to print in 3D to earn money:
- 3D printed pots
- Molds for cement pots
- cell phone holders
- Furniture
- Furniture for 3D printers
- Wind generators
- 3D Lithophanes
- 3d world cup
Many of these files they do not have a free license which means that You have to ask the creator for permission, which will surely receive a commission from your sales. The other option is Find a free design, either create your own designs to sell.
1) 3D printed pots
3D printed pots are a great idea to exploit, as they offer a more personalized and entertaining way for your potential customers to display their flowers and plants.
- 1.1 Low Poly Pots
Low Poly means “low polygon” in English. They are objects with few faces and few vertices.
With a wide variety of filaments on the market, these pots are ideal for getting away from the classic generic and boring model on the market.
- 1.2 Self-watering pots
Self-watering pots are normally divided into two parts: A lower part that contains the water and an upper part with soil and the plant itself.
These pots are watered and the water is drained to the bottom, containing the water that will continue to feed the roots for a long period of time.
In this case, I would try to make sure that the pot is really waterproof.. I happened to give this pot as a gift and it turned out that was losing water.
You also have to take into account the material used to make pots, since if PLA is used it can deform when left in the sun.
by Yamill (Requires license from the Author)
2) 3D printed molds for cement pots
If you like working with cement you can use 3D printing to create molds for flower pots.
Here you would no longer be printing something to sell, but the tool which would allow you to make the pots with cement.
The good thing is that with a well-made mold you can create multiple pots.
by esparapse (Requires license from the Author)
channel video esparapse
3) Cell phone holder
A good idea for a 3D printed product is mobile phone holders, as these items have become a work tool in recent times, where working from home has become common.
- 3.1 Rigid cell phone supports
by GoAftens
- 3.2 Folding phone stands
by jonnig
- 3.3 Extendable phone holders
by arron_mollet22
4) 3D printed furniture
Something new and innovative would be to create furniture with 3D printed parts. Surely something not very common and an area not so exploited that can give your 3D printer a useful life, commercially speaking.
I don't know if there is a market for this, but as Apple creator Steve Jobs said, "People don't know what they want until you show it to them."
Channel video: Alexandre Chappel (Activate automatic subtitles in Spanish)
5) Furniture for 3D printer
Something very necessary and that not many are exploiting, is the sale of furniture for 3d printers.
Most 3D printers need to be closed in order to print technical materials such as ABS, Nylon (among other materials). For this reason, the idea of selling boxes, tables, cabinets, or cabinets prepared for use with 3D printers can be positive.
You can use your 3D printer to create joints, or supports to assemble furniture or simply work with wood and/or acrylics.
by Woody1978 (Does not request a license)
channel video Make-o-Rama 3D Druck (Activate automatic subtitles in Spanish)
6) Wind turbines or wind generators
Can you imagine having your own 3D printed wind turbine factory?
The idea of generating your own energy is very attractive, not only as a personal project but also as a business model.
A 3D printer can become a very useful tool to kick-start and create your own company.
- 6.1 Vertical axis wind turbines
- 6.2 Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines
7) 3D lithophanes
Lithophane is a way of projecting an image (or photograph) through a semi-translucent medium. Using different types of material thicknesses to allow or prevent the passage of light, a very clear image can be formed.
This technique has come to life again thanks to 3D printing technology. Nowadays, you can print photographs and make them visible by projecting a light onto them.
Today it is used to create custom lamps and sell them at the request of customers. One of the most famous sales models is the “moon lamp“, which can be purchased on various platforms.
by humphrey_b52
You can make money by printing and selling custom lithophany lamps with your clients' photos.
If you want to know more about 3D Lithophanes you can see the Post “3D Lithophane, color photos with 3D printer“
8) 3D World Cup
You can take advantage of this opportunity to print and sell some seasonal items, such as the 3D printed World Cup.
Preferably before the start of the World Cup you can print world cups and offer them on different platforms.
Of course, who wouldn't want to have a copy of the World Cup in their home?
by 3DPrintNovesia
You can search for 3D models of the world cup to sell during the world cup season.
Search world cup STL on Thingiverse
Search world cup STL at Printables.com
You can also search for items related to the World Cup such as: 3D printed keychains, world cup dunk, world cup glass, world cup piggy bank, etc.
If you want to see other ways to make money with a 3D printer don't forget to check out the post “How to make money with a 3D printer“
[…] you can see: “What to print in 3D to make money” a list of ideas that will help you know what things you can print to sell on your own […]
You could have noticed before publishing this news that several of these things to print carry a license that precisely prohibits trading and making money with these items, they are only to be printed locally at home and for oneself.
Good morning Alvaro! Thank you very much for your comment.
At the beginning of this publication I clarify that it is a list of ideas and that the objective is not to copy what others do.
I quote the third paragraph: “The purpose of this list is not to copy what others do, but to offer examples that serve to generate new ideas”
I quote the fourth paragraph: “Never forget that you must differentiate yourself from the rest, always seek to innovate, be different and improve yourself and your products”
I quote the fifth paragraph of this post: “Remember: Before printing a 3D model to sell, you must make sure that it is not protected by copyright. You must always have permission from its creators to be able to sell them.”
Besides below the images I clarify: “(Author's license required)”
I understand your frustration, but the objective of this list is not to place links to download and sell, that would be the easiest (besides, it is not possible), but to: help think, to create ideas, make your own designs, and if you don't know how to design, at least look for STL files yourself that do not require a license, or hire a designer to develop your own product.
It is a list of ideas. nothing else.
I also hope that these examples, or “ideas” can help someone discover something that will allow them to make money and start their own business with their 3D printer.
My favorite business idea is “Wind Generators”, I have always been fascinated by the idea of generating my own electricity. I think that this idea is worthy of being developed and exploited with a 3D printer.
What is your favorite idea?
Thanks again for your comment, I'll try to improve as much as I can...
It's a great idea.
But with respect to the article, you do make things clear, but it understands that it is going to read and in this case one looks for those ideas to do business and if it is very new, many people will not pay attention to what you send it and others that is what I mean, it was just that.
In 3D, to talk about business, I think you have to instruct people to handle 3D design very well, which is where you will get profit from.
Thanks for the answer and good article as well. Only that, in my opinion sometimes you have to pretend that the dumbest reads you or sees you and is going to be left with, "ah, I'm going to download that and sell it" without looking at a license or anything. I hope I have explained myself.
Greetings.
Good morning Álvaro, you have explained yourself very well, and I think you are right.
I'm going to search these days to review the publication and incidentally add more ideas...
Thank you for your contribution, I hope to improve as much as I can.
I wish you good luck in your projects...
Your words are appreciated.
Hello Dario, I love your article and I see it perfectly explained and structured.
I am a big fan of 3D printing and wanting to invent and innovate, and for this reason I would like to give more printing ideas to readers; print spare parts for different hobbies;
The world of fishing, radio control of vehicles and drones.
The items used in these worlds are expensive and when they break, there are usually no spare parts, such as gears, plastic supports, etc.
And users are quite interested in a custom replacement service, if you are good at design you can even add enhancements to standard products.
Good morning Sebastian!
Thank you very much for your comment and your contribution, it is very valuable to all those who are looking for ideas.
There is still a lot of work to do with this publication, I still have to add the ideas: Personalized Party Favors Accessories (for Birthdays), 3D Printed Parts, Garden Accessories, Urban Hydroponic Garden, Hydroponics Accessories, Chocolate Molds, Computer Accessories , Supplies for Film and Television... (I'm a little late with work haha)
Is it okay with you that we add your ideas to the list?
Thank you for commenting and for your valuable contribution.
Good luck with your projects!
It is true that there are many designs but let's also be honest, if you have a design made more than 3 years ago, no one prevents you from selling it according to the registration and patent laws and if the person who made the design never registered it, he has no right to collect nothing except that you buy the design. You have to internalize more in those aspects