Over recent years, you may have heard something about the world of 3D printing. But what it is it and can it be used to make money?
3D printers create one-off items from a model designed to set specifications that don’t cost a fortune to produce. They can work as an excellent side hustle to make extra money because it needs very little investment to get started.
Owning one can help to produce income similar to stocks, real estate, and creative pursuits. Larger companies such as Rapid Axis have made it part of their overall business to offer 3D printing services to consumers.
However, on a smaller scale, you can print different items that can be sold or rented out in order to make money. They can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, and be used for either industrial or personal use.
Here are some of the best ways to generate some sort of income with a 3D printer.
Rent Out Your Printer
One of the simplest ways to make money from your 3D printer is to rent it out to other people when you’re not using it. A simple way to do this is to post your item for rent on local advertising or on social media. The amount you can rent it out or by the hour or the day will depend on the model of the 3D printer and its primary use.
Make sure to have a simple contract that details the terms of the rental. It should specify the length of rental and a section outlining what would happen should it be returned broken.
Renting out your 3D printer is a great way for people thinking about buying their own to have a go on one before making the investment.
Use It to Build Prototypes
You will find that many entrepreneurs and investors work building prototypes of their products when their product development is in its early stages. Prototyping was a common stopgap for people looking to become successful inventors. However, building prototypes can be seen as expensive as it would often mean making a large investment with an external firm to get one built.
However, if you offer to create prototypes for inventors using your 3D printer then they are able to save money, while you earn some. Prototyping is a necessary step for entrepreneurs looking to make a product to sell on the consumer market.
Charge a consultation fee prior to making the product to discuss whether or not it would be a feasible project. The good news is that you will have an advantage over the competition if you choose to charge competitive prices.
Start Your Own 3D Printing Service
You will find that people want to have their products produced using a 3D printer for a range of reasons. This means there is scope to offer an on-demand printing service to consumers. You can choose what you charge depending on the complexity of a product and the time it will take to design it.
There are several ways you can use a 3D printer as an innovative way to make money which will only increase as we continue to move technologically forward.
