3D Printing & Prototyping

3D printing services create prototypes, custom parts, replacement components, and small production runs using additive manufacturing.

You can serve product designers needing prototypes, consumers wanting custom items, businesses needing parts, or create your own designs for sale.

Success requires 3D printing knowledge, understanding materials and processes (FDM, SLA, SLS), CAD skills or partnerships with designers, and service-oriented mindset.

Pricing varies - prototypes $50-500+ depending on size and complexity, custom parts $20-200, production runs quote by volume.

Hourly machine time plus materials or per-project pricing.

Startup costs include 3D printer(s) ($200-5,000+ depending on technology), materials (filaments, resins), post-processing tools, CAD software, and marketing totaling $2,000-15,000.

Building business involves marketing to product developers and makers, platforms like Shapeways or Sculpteo initially, own website for custom work, potentially selling your designs, and local manufacturing/maker communities.

Revenue comes from prototyping services, custom one-off items, small production runs, selling digital files of designs, and potentially teaching 3D design/printing.

Operating costs include materials, electricity, printer maintenance and upgrades, CAD software, and storage.

Challenges include long print times limiting volume, failed prints wasting time and material, technological changes requiring equipment updates, and pricing pressure from hobbyists with cheap printers.

Success requires reliable print quality, reasonable turnaround times, understanding material properties for applications, offering design assistance, and potentially specializing by industry or application.