25 3D Printing Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]
Are you Interested in starting a 3D printing business in 2024?
Demand for 3D printing will quadruple over the next decade exceeding $50 billion. Thus, starting your own 3D printing business can be worthwhile.
We put together 25 of the best 3D printer business ideas you can start.
For each business idea, we'll show real-world examples of other 3d printing businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. 3D printing for marketing & promotional products
3D printing for marketing products gives businesses a unique way to set their brand apart and make a lasting impression. As competition intensifies, businesses in different sectors choose 3D printing as a way to customize and create fantastic designs and products.
Therefore, if you want profitable and high-in-demand 3D printing business ideas, consider starting 3D printing for marketing products.
How much you can make: $275,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 197 days (?)
Multi-million dollar presentation folder company, Company Folders, offers over 100 million variations of products and has won multiple awards, including making Inc.’s list of 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in America for three consecutive years, due to their focus on quality, variety, and personalized customer service.
2. 3D-printing for product design
The advent of 3D printing has provided designers and engineers with an alternative way to showcase their capabilities. Designers and engineers use transformative technology to create digitally engineered molds for patients. Through 3D printing technology, manufacturers can produce cost-effective short production runs to test the market or to offer customized product versions.
3D printing in design applies during product conception to allow designers to compare, test, and understand structural and visual qualities. At the prototyping stage, designers use 3D printing to create functional prototypes faster compared to when using traditional prototyping.
Therefore, starting a 3D printer business, consider printing for designers and engineers.
How much you can make: $330,000/month
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
3. Start a 3D-printed pills business
The first 3D-printed pill (Spritam) was approved by the FDA back in 2015. 3D-pill printing uses certain unique materials to create more effective medication that dissolves faster and can be ingested faster than traditional pills.
If you already have a background in pharmaceuticals and looking for a potential 3D printing business idea, you may want to focus on 3D pill printing.
How long does it take to build: 550 days (?)
4. Start a customized collectibles business
While some trends tend to go out of style fast, collecting is a trend that will not change any time soon. Many people still love collecting art pieces, images of favorite celebrities, athletes, artists, etc.
With 3D printing, you can start a collectibles business and focus on any niche. One of the benefits of using 3D in printing collectibles is the potential to produce lighter and easy-to-transport collectibles. Thus, 3D printer businesses can reach global customers without worrying about transportation.
How much you can make: $10,000/month
How long does it take to build: 257 days (?)
Entrepreneur Adam Torkildson shares how he was able to launch a profitable sports card selling business on eBay with a $10,000 investment and an already existing eBay store, now reaching a monthly revenue of $10,000.
5. Start a corporate 3D printing service
Are you are interested in starting a 3D printer idea? 3D printing can help businesses with product designing and prototyping. Besides, 3D printers help create marketing and promotional materials, improve existing products, produce detailed models, etc.
Therefore, focusing your 3D printing business on corporate services can be a noble entrepreneurship idea.
How much you can make: $8,000 — $275,000/month
A 3D CAD designer and product inventor who started as a side hustle and averaged $9,000 a month in revenue, shares his insights on the ups and downs of owning a service-based business alongside an eCommerce store, as well as lessons learned in customer acquisition and in generating multiple streams of passive income.
6. Start a 3D-printed arts business
Since the invention of 3D printing, technology has given a new meaning to art. With additive manufacturing, artists can deliver more creative art pieces featuring complex geometries and a high level of detail.
If you are an artist or have a passion for art, consider producing 3D prints and selling them in various online art galleries.
How much you can make: $50,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of Saleh Sokhandan, the founder of Vidavin, who started with $2,000 and grew his 3D art and optical illusion business to $1 million through unique products, influencer marketing, and a focus on creating pleasant experiences both for customers and himself.
7. Start an existing items customization business
3D printing is one of the best tools for the design industry. An excellent application area of 3D printing is improving the existing items. Product customization with 3D printing enables businesses to create a lasting impression amongst their target customers.
For instance, orthopedics relies on customized adaptation to support orthoses and prostheses. With 3D printing, they can achieve custom shapes and material strengths that match the individual patients. Therefore, if you have a background in 3D printing, you can focus on helping manufacturers and designers achieve product customization.
How much you can make: $50,000/month
David created DesignEvo, an easy-to-use logo maker that has over 29 million worldwide users and brings in about 1 million dollars each month, by realizing that there is a large number of users without professional graphic or multimedia editing skills, and building sufficiently user-friendly tools.
8. Start a customized glasses frames business
3D printing is now changing how eyewear manufacturers produce glasses. The glass product manufacturers are adopting layer-by-layer printing technology to deliver unique products and beat the competition by bringing more innovation to glass designs.
The printing technology allows glass companies to create highly complex structures and, in some cases, designs that could be unimaginable. If you are in the glass industry and looking for a great business opportunity, you may consider starting a customized glass frames business.
How much you can make: $20,000 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 360 days (?)
Tomahawk Shades, co-founded by Andrew Shapiro and his twin brother, Ryan Shapiro, is an eyewear brand that has seen a 175% increase in sales year over year, focusing on small batches of quality acetate, with an e-commerce business acting as its main area of focus to release new ideas and products.
9. Start a customized earbuds business
Tailormade earbuds perform better. However, custom manufacturing is not economical, and collecting personalized consumer data can be complex.
Luckily, 3D printing is changing manufacturing processes and promising greater customer satisfaction. High-quality 3D printers and advanced scanning technology make it possible to manufacture customized audiology products such as earbuds.
Are you interested in designing and developing of audiology application? If yes, starting a 3D earbuds production business can be a great business idea.
How much you can make: $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)
Founded by a former Nokia product manager, QuietOn has grown to become a leading manufacturer of active noise-cancelling earbuds for better sleep, with over 80,000 happy customers worldwide and monthly revenues of over $500k, having launched after a successful Indiegogo campaign that raised $1.3m.
10. Start a 3D printer selling business
Business research projects that the global 3D printing service market will exceed $5 Billion in the coming decade. 3D printing enables manufacturers to achieve flexible designs, rapid prototyping, and much more.
Through additive manufacturing, businesses are achieving revolutionary benefits. Therefore, the demand for 3D printers will continue increasing rapidly over the coming years.
Are you looking for 3D printing business ideas? Maybe you should consider selling 3D printers. To start, find 3D printer manufacturers and apply to become their distributorship programs. Alternatively, you can create a 3D printer website and start selling printers and accessories.
How much you can make: $330,000/month
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
11. Start a children's toys business
Are you interested in toy production? Using 3D technology, you can achieve better toy design. The tooling technology alleviates the pain points of toy designing and production and enables toy manufacturers to achieve personalized molds.
In today’s competitive business landscape, 3D printing can help you achieve faster time to market, more excellent toy designs and customization, and enable the creation of new business models. Therefore, if you are interested in a potential 3D printing business, you may consider a 3D toys printing business.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
Learn how a team from Mississippi State University turned a classroom project into a $1.2 million year business selling liquid-activated, light-up drink cubes and sensory toys for kids, which are now sold in 37 countries.
12. Start a 3D modelling business
3D modeling is critical in product design, helping businesses achieve greater customer satisfaction. Several industries like film, medicine, gaming, and manufacturing are already making the best use of 3D modeling.
If you have 3D modeling expertise and are looking for a profitable 3D printing business idea, starting a 3D modeling business in 2024 can be worthwhile. To start, identify a niche, and identify potential customers within the niche.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
This case study features Md. Yousuf Ali, the founder of Rank Trends, who shares how he started a successful digital marketing agency, which generated a revenue of over $6k per month through SEO and video production services.
13. Start a 3D robotics engineering business
Just as manufacturing uses 3D printing, so can engineering leverage the power of 3D in designing and prototyping robotics projects. According to experts, the global 3D printing robots market will reach approximately 4.9 billion in the next few years, achieving a CAGR growth rate of 15%.
The consistent growth of 3D printing in the robotics industry depicts the potential of 3D printing business ideas.
Most engineering companies use 3D printing technologies to develop customized robotic solutions for clients in the manufacturing, construction, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and defense industries.
Therefore, if you have some background in robotics engineering and are interested in starting a 3D printing business, you may consider the application of 3D printing technology in developing robotic solutions.
14. Start a medical implants business
One of the benefits of 3D printing healthcare is helping doctors and researchers reconstruct various human body parts. Thus, additive manufacturing has helped save lives by enabling doctors to achieve successful implants.
For example, additive manufacturing (3D printing) has made jaw reconstruction possible. Also, 3D-printed knee implant companies like Conformis applied 3D printing to create implants, an initiative that has given new hope to patients.
Therefore, if you are in the medical industry, you may consider starting a 3D medical implant printing business.
15. Start a prosthetics 3D printing business
Approximately 2 million people are living with limb loss in the US alone.
Fortunately, 3D printing makes an incredible difference in the medical industry and saves millions of lives. Today, patients can request 3D-enabled knee replacements and prosthetic arms. The 3D printing technology can also improve the lives of those reliant on prosthetic limbs.
According to the American Orthotics and Prosthetics Association, the average prosthetic costs between $1,500 and $8,000. By contrast, 3D-printed prosthetic costs as little as $50. Therefore, given that over 2 million people could be suffering limb loss, starting 3D prosthetics printing can be a great business idea.
16. Start a jewelry and ornaments production business
Until recently, jewelry was done by hand, with machines used to facilitate metalwork and fabrication. However, jewelry making is set to change as jewelers turn to 3D printing.
3D printing enables jewelers to conceptualize and prototype rings, necklaces, and other jewelry products. Digital technologies help to personalize creations while a customer waits. Apart from enabling faster production of jewelry, the technology has helped in the delivery of personalized designs.
Therefore, if you are in the jewelry industry or interested in venturing into the industry but not sure where to start, you may factor in 3D jewelry and ornaments printing.
How much you can make: $5,000/month
Mazi + Zo offers high-quality and modern jewelry for sorority sisters and other women, developed by founder Lizzy Klein after discovering a lack of stylish options in the market, and is now expanding into the broader market with organic social media being the most successful channel.
17. Start a 3D food printing business
Some application areas of 3D printing in the food industry include producing customized food designs, personalized and digitalized nutrition, a simplified supply chain, and broadened source of available food materials.
3D printing has enabled researchers in the food industry to provide suitable alternatives for meat. Startups are working to ensure the appearance, taste, texture, and flavor of 3D-printed meat matches closely with the current meat-eating experience. Other applications of 3D printing in the food industry include 3D baking decoration equipment, 3D food design platform, and 3D printing desserts.
Research shows that 3D food printing is expected to reach approximately $873 million over the next few years.
Therefore, starting a 3D food printing business will be a noble idea.
18. Start a 3D-printed custom-made tools business
3D printed tools convey the usefulness of 3D printing technology in various areas today. Applying 3D in printing tools will benefit farmers, farriers, engineers, and other 3D printing enthusiasts needing handy tools. Examples of tools you can produce using 3d printing technology include functional hammers, wire cutters, saws, and other tools.
To start a 3d tools production business, ensure you understand how different tools work so that you can meet the design specifications.
19. Start a 3D selfie studio
While 3D printing has been used widely in construction, medicine, and engineering industries, it is now expanding to personal space. Today, we see graphic designers and artists turning into 3D selfie studios.
A 3D selfie studio provides a more elaborate process of scanning and printing images. The 3D selfie images can be made using plastic and other materials.
With the 3D technology finally starting to catch on, starting a 3D selfie printing business can be rewarding. You will need a full-body 3D scanner, 3D digital retouching software, and a full-color 3D printer.
20. Start a 3D-printed shoes business
3D printing is a technology that has revolutionized various industries, including fashion. 3D printed shoes are an interesting trend you may want to get into.
3D printing technology is used to prototype and try new shoe manufacturing processes. The technology enables designers to go further with the shoe designing process to create organic structures through additive manufacturing other than the traditional processes.
A 3D printing and footwear market study revealed that the industry will generate more than $8 billion in profits in the next few years. Therefore, starting a 3D shoe printing business can be rewarding.
To start a 3D shoe printing business, choose a niche, and buy the needed 3D printing equipment.
21. Start a 3D Scanning business
3D scanning business analyzes a real-world object or environment and collects data on its shape and appearance before creating its image digitally. Thus, 3D scanning is a faster and easier technique for creating 3D models when you want to recreate an existing object.
There are different 3D scanning techniques you can use today. Examples are Laser 3D scanning, photogrammetry, and structured light scanning.
To start a 3D scanning business, select the best 3D scanners and great 3D scanning apps. If you already have a smartphone, you can download a 3D scanning app and use it for 3D scanning.
22. Start a 3D-printed spare parts business
3D printing is revolutionizing the spare parts industry. The technology is helping the spare parts manufacturers and suppliers to strike a balance between the cost of spare parts production and the lead time.
The digital printing technology enables spare parts storage in the virtual inventory, a move that minimizes the need for storage spaces. The automobile industry can use 3D printing technology to produce spare parts. The additive technology is also perfect for manufacturing aircraft spare parts.
If you are interested in producing spare parts, you may consider starting your 3D printed spare parts business.
23. Start a 3D printing course
The 3D printing industry is snowballing thanks to its ability to create a wide range of versatile products quickly and cost-effectively. Owing to the increased demand, there is a rising interest among job-seekers who want to learn the skill to stand out in interviews, while others want to establish a 3-D printing business.
If you have 3D printing experience and are passionate about technology, you can start a 3D printing course.
24. Start a 3D architecture business
3D printing technology has helped bring architects’ dreams to life. The technology uses architectural illustrations and other reference materials to produce photo-realistic 3D images or animations of proposed buildings and developments.
Starting a 3D architecture business is well worth it. The profession is in high demand, and the profit margins tend to be higher than average. If you plan to start a 3D architecture business, you can specialize in interior design, architecture, science, medicine, fashion, etc.
How much does it cost to start: $10 (?)
25. Start a 3D fashion designer business
3D fashion design is transforming how creatives in the fashion and luxury industry approach product development, pattern making, fittings, and much more.
The application of 3D printing technology is growing rapidly among fashion companies and designers willing to reduce their environment’s impact and make fashion design more straightforward.
Therefore, starting a 3D fashion design business could be rewarding.
To start a 3D fashion design business, consider registering for the fashion design certificate program and taking a 3D design course.
How much you can make: $40,000/month
Article Sources:
- 3D Printing Industry Analysis at Grand View Research
- With 24.3% CAGR, 3D Printing Market Size Worth USD 83.90 Billion in 2029 at Globe News Wire
- Three Areas Holding Back The $10.6B 3D Printing Industry at Forbes
- Global 3D printing products and services market size from 2020 to 2026 at Statista
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
