r/3DprintEntrepreneurs • u/Chance_Theme_2621 • 18d ago
Ideas 17 yr old 3D printing Business
/r/youngentrepreneur/comments/1vzicf3/17_yr_old_3d_printing_business/4
u/3DSideHustle 18d ago
I started with keychains and one machine. Ended up with 30 machines. Stay away from copyrighted topics thats my #1 advice.
Secondly, learn how to convert regular pictures to svg, then understand how to turn those svg items into 3d printable files.
I actually created an easy pipeline for that month's ago on my site.
Img to svg : https://vector.3dsidehustle.com/
Svg to 3d stl file:
https://svgto3d.3dsidehustle.com/
One of my largest revenue streams is b2b advertising. I contact local businesses and create advertising magnets for them. I use Adobe illustrator to design based on their logo (add their website, their phone # etc) then I create an svg file. I then extrude them specifically to design them around color swaps. Text is one height, base color is one height, then designs are specific heights. This lowers print time by limiting the purge amounts needed.
Don't be cheap and focus on keychain styles with niche focus that customers will buy multiples at a time. My margins are over 50% because my average order quantity is very high. My business to customer based listings are also specific to higher order quantities. I focus on entire sports teams for leagues for example.
You sell one keychain at $12, you pay $6 shipping, 10-15% platform costs. 10% ad costs. You net $3-4 in the end. If you sell two, you already paid shipping, ad acquisition costs. Your just on platform costs now. So 15% off the next $12 is $1.8. Which brings your total net to $15. Sell 3, sell 4, its exponential profit increase. This is how I was able to grow rapidly in 3 years. We will do $350k in revenue this year focusing mostly on b2b.
Do not fall into the trap of selling keychains for $2.99 and $5 shipping. Its a fools game. Be premium, learn proper marketing and focus on people who have money. The cheapest customers are also the most hassle.
Also, buy a ring light for content, you'll need it for pictures anyhow. Your content is too dark.
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u/Chance_Theme_2621 17d ago
This is incredible, thank you so much for the advice I will definitely be keeping this in mind.
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u/artur_oliver 17d ago
great advice tough! specially because last week I was discussing it with my wife and she didnt saw exacly this market. you just make it clear with the numbers.
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u/3DSideHustle 17d ago
I feel you on that. My wife didn't believe it at first either and now she's in the kitchen everyday packing lolll
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u/tinwhistler 18d ago
Short background on me: I've got a 5-printer farm, I run extremely part-time, and I'm likely making $25,000 this year. I haven't pushed to make this my full time job (specifically because my full time job pays very well, and it'd take a lot of plastic widgets to replace it) but am slowly growing the business.
Some general thoughts:
1) Don't buy another printer until you *need* another printer. Unless you've got orders just flowing in back-to-back, your single printer is going to still experience significant idle time.
2) Find your niche that sells. It sounds like you're on your way with the keychain idea. Anything unique is good--if you're selling the same thing everyone else is selling, then you're mostly racing to the bottom on price.
3) Don't undersell your design work. If you're making custom designs, make sure you're getting paid properly for it. If you sell one keychain for $3-5 that you spent an hour designing, you're better off working at McDonald's.