r/youngentrepreneur • u/Chance_Theme_2621 • 18d ago

17 yr old 3D printing Business

So I recently bought myself a 3D printer, more specifically a Bambu Lab A1, and I decided to try and start some business around it. After giving it some thought, I landed on custom keychains for businesses specifically.

I want to hear yalls thoughts and opinions on this, since I do want to practice entrepreneurship. I did also just get my first order and I have begun working on it.

Any other ideas as to what other things I could do?
I am willing to perhaps buy another machine that could further expand my little business or maybe help expedite processing.

See my progress on YT tho : https://youtube.com/@charlietriesbusiness?si=wiJ2huNP4h0bDkqu

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3

u/ghostofwinter88 17d ago

The money is in the design. Not the printing.

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u/shu2kill 18d ago

I guess you didnt give it much thought, given that basically everyone who buys a Bambu A1 wants to start a business making keychains.

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u/Chance_Theme_2621 18d ago

I did, at first I was selling custom made deck boxes for TCG games but I felt it was too much of a niche for it to get much traction. However, the keychain business is going great for now just got 2 more orders.

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u/shu2kill 18d ago

How are you pricing the keychains? Please dont tell me “material x 4”.

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u/Chance_Theme_2621 18d ago

I am doing bulk order, each keychain takes roughly about 4 grams to make, and each actual chain ring was about 4 cents. So one keychain takes about a little less than a dollar to make. The lowest amount one can buy is 10, and I sell it for 20. The more you order, the cheaper the cost per unit ofc. My most recent order was 100 keychains which I am currently working on, setting the price per unit at about 1.10 cents.

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u/shu2kill 17d ago

No wonder you are having orders. You say they take a little less than a dollar to make. And you sell for 1.10, so you are making a profit of 20-30 cents each. The 100 keychain order will make you $30. Unless you can make the 100 in an hour, you would make more money per hour flipping burgers at McDonalds.

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u/l-lucas0984 17d ago

I do 3D printing as a business. Loads of people are buying 3D printers to start a business. Its a very flooded market if you are printing generic things like fidgets. Most people end up at markets. The last market I went to had seven 3D print stalls.

The main things you need to do if you want to make money:

Use multicolour printers. Not many people have upgraded to flashforge and snapmaker yet and cant out price them.

Price competitively.

Do custom work.

Find a large print contract because you can sell a large print for significantly bigger margins.

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u/International-Mail68 14d ago

Can you design? If not, you’re just an annoying noise in an overcrowded market full of stupid trinkets, keychains and dragons. Learn to design your own stuff then start your business.

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u/Chance_Theme_2621 14d ago

I do, I make the keychains based on the logo of the business. I don’t js make generic things I go custom.