How To Make Money 3D Printing on Etsy?
Is 3D printing the way of the future? For many small businesses, the answer is yes. 3D printing allows products to market faster and more cheaply than ever before, which means more money in your pocket if you sell via Etsy. If you haven't yet taken advantage of this trend, it's time to learn how to make money for 3D printing on Etsy!
Step 1: Find a Product Idea
Selecting the right product idea can be one of the most complex parts of starting your own business. You need to find a product that solves a problem, has potential for demand, and is feasible to produce.
One easy way to do this is by looking at what products are trending on your favorite retailer's website. Consider how profitable it will be before you go through the design process.
Don't worry too much about whether or not there's enough interest in the product; people will buy anything if they know it'll make their money! I want to start a blog post where I show people how to turn their hobby into a business by making t-shirts.
Once you have an idea, search Google images for a custom shirt and see what designs people have already made. Make notes on which ones seem like they'd sell well because most customers prefer to purchase something original instead of something generic.
Also, think about what words might work best for a shirt. Say I love ____ to get started (ex: I love soccer). Then research things that may fit well with that word, like soccer balls or other team logos.
The more specific the word is, the better your chance of designing something someone will want to wear. You could use these famous words from different stores:
- Star Wars
- Darth Vader Starbucks
- Caffeine Fitbit
- Steps Nike
- Swoosh Apple
- Apple Store Adidas
- Three Stripes Samsung Galaxy
- S Logo Playstation
- Playstation 4 Xbox
- Xbox Logo Nikon
- Camera Canon
- Camera Adidas Shoes
- AdiEase Saucony Shoes
- Hurricane Saucony Quiznos
- Fast Subs H&M
- H&M Tote Bag Target
- Target Cart.
it's time to learn how to make money for 3D printing on Etsy!
Step 2: Get the Best Print Settings
- Object Mode: Quality = Medium (or higher)
- Solid Mode: Quality = Low (or lower)
- High-Speed Mode: Quality = Medium (or higher)
- Save as Type JPG or PDF
- File Format/ Size: 1x1x1 inch (.001mm) .JPG files at 24-4800 dpi resolution (.PDF files at 2400dpi resolution) create good results with minimal printing time.
Choose a preset in this case and click apply to all to save time selecting every file individually. You can also choose High-Speed Mode with Quality set at Medium (or higher). The print may have visible droplets in this mode, but it prints faster than usual without quality loss.
If you plan on ordering multiple prints, then check out our next blog post about how to get better discounts when ordering through Groupon Goods. They have amazing deals and offer 60% off products on their site. As always, feel free to comment below if you need any help! We're happy to answer any questions.
For more posts like these, follow us on Facebook and Twitter! If you haven't already, sign up for an account on Makerbot to access your creations anytime. Don't forget to leave a review here on the blog so we know what you think of our advice.
Feel free to reach out anytime and let us know if there is anything else we can do for you or your business. For other updates from ETSY regarding 3D printing, don't forget to read their blogs by clicking on the About tab at the top of this page.
Clicking on the hand icon beside Handmade brings you to a page full of recent updates about handmade items in general. From crafting ideas, tutorials, new features, contests, and more--, there are plenty of fun things happening on this platform that you should check out.
Step 3: Design Your Model
One of the most challenging parts of the process is coming up with a design to print from scratch, where you are only limited by your imagination or by editing and scaling models from other sources.
There are many ways to create a model using computer software such as Google Sketchup or Autodesk Fusion 360. Regardless of the method used, you will have to figure out what scale your model should be before exporting it for printing.
For example, if you want to make an iPhone stand three inches tall, then when modeling, you would need to ensure that one inch equals three inches so that the proportions look correct when printed. After modeling your object, save it as an STL file and export it.
You'll need both models (the original file plus a cut-out version) for each thing to be able to post them on Etsy. Next, find a vendor who prints the material you want to use. Some options include Shapeways and i.materialise for plastic models;
- Sculpteo for sandstone;
- Ponoko for wood,
- acrylic,
- stone
- Kraftwurx for fabric-based products.
Each company has different price points and policies, so explore the site thoroughly before deciding on a vendor. Also, note that some printers offer more than one type of material.
It's important to determine early in the process what kind of product you're looking for...
Especially if you plan to sell items made from different materials side-by-side, research all available vendors accordingly. Once you've selected a printer, upload your designs onto their website via the same account they were created on.
If necessary, make any edits requested by the printer and wait until they approve them before ordering. Keep in mind that it takes time for production after ordering and often requires a minimum order size. Be sure to budget ahead of time!
The cost per item depends on how big the model is, how detailed it is, and what type of material you choose. The prices also depend on where you purchase the printer filament - fees range from $20-$100 per kg depending on whether you buy locally or online.
Additionally, most 3D printers require a specific proprietary filament cartridge, so check before purchasing! A few well-known companies that produce popular filaments are Makerbot, Stratasys, and ProtoPasta.
Step 4: Set Up an Etsy Shop
It will be a lot easier if you have an account already. If not, sign up for one here and get ready to upload your work! Once you're set up with a statement, the next step is choosing what you want to sell.
You can start by browsing through the Featured Goods at the top of the homepage and clicking on whatever catches your eye. Or, search around using keywords related to what you make, like knitting or printing.
Check out their About page when looking at shops that see your interest. It should contain information about them and the types of items they offer. You'll want to use this information when setting up your shop so it's easy for potential customers to find you.
It's always helpful to make sure that the products in your shop are relevant to each other. For example, if you create jewelry and cards, it would be good to put them together in one cohesive space so visitors can browse both without too much effort.
Your store will appear in search results based on the keyword phrases used in its title. Some things to remember while naming your shop: The name should match the product. Be creative but also descriptive (people don't like scrolling).
The title shouldn't have any punctuation because it won't appear correctly on Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). Add some basic tags such as Etsy, e-commerce, fashion, etc. You can edit these after posting and add more specific tags later on.
Once you've decided on a name, fill out the first few sections under the Your Shop tab. Remember to choose clothing under the category, then add some tags and your opening price before publishing your post.
Now that you have everything set up, it's time to share what you do best! Share images of your work on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest to build awareness.
Step 5: Photograph Your Products
When photographing your products, use a high-quality camera and natural light. Take photos of your products at various angles and take some close-up shots. Don't forget to show both the front and back of the product!
Ensure you include captions with descriptions, pricing, measurements, and anything else pertinent. The better your images look, the more sales you will get! Have someone take pictures for you?
Ask them if they can send you raw image files (usually found in basic format) rather than just a jpeg file. You can then edit these images using photoshop or other editing software like PaintShop Pro X5 (available as part of Corel's suite).
These programs allow for more customization regarding colors, tones, and filters, resulting in a richer-looking photograph than an edited jpeg file. Plus, Photoshop or PaintShop Pro X5 has a wide variety of tools to help enhance your pictures so they stand out against the competition.
Editing is easy with either program: open up your photo and click Filter in the top menu bar. Choose whichever Filter you want from the drop-down menu, and voila! Your image has been enhanced without any necessary knowledge of advanced photo editing techniques.
Many different filters are available in Photoshop/PaintShop Pro X5 but experiment with each one to see what best suits your needs.
Remember not to add too many filters; this may be counterproductive since people like having options and seeing what the different effects would look like before making their decision.
The result should be a clean, well-lit picture that accurately displays the color and material of your product. And don't forget: always use keywords when naming your product and uploading it onto Etsy! Give buyers enough information about your product to know whether or not it's something they'll be interested in purchasing.
Finally, keep detailed records of all transactions, including who purchased the item, how much was paid for it, and where it was shipped.
Step 6: Write Compelling Listings
If you want to make money 3d printing and start a business, the first step is creating an Etsy account. Once your account is set up, it's time to create a listing for your product. Fill out all the information about your item, including title, photo, material/supplies list, size, quantity, and shipping terms.
It's also essential to include any available variations that people might be interested in, for example, if you offer personalized items or name them. Make sure to read over your listing again and again to ensure accuracy!
Take photos using different angles, zoom in on text and images, and avoid glare from reflective surfaces by positioning yourself opposite the light source. Uploading at least one good-quality photo is critical!
Suppose you're unsure what price point to use. Research online and look at other listings within the same category. Please include as many details as possible, so customers know what they get before purchasing.
Don't forget to upload high-quality photos that provide multiple product views. Don't forget to add keywords so potential buyers can find your products when browsing through Etsy's search engine.
You'll have to pay $0.20 per listing, but this fee will increase depending on how many items you list each month - meaning that if you consistently post 10+ new items each month, you will pay $0.60 per new item listed.
Keep this in mind when pricing your products because otherwise, it may cost more than the profit from sales generated. In addition, think about marketing strategies such as Google Adwords, which are always a good idea to promote your store.
The last thing you need to worry about is whether or not the buyer has enough PayPal funds to purchase your item - if they don't have enough funds in their account, they can link their credit card without having to put anything else into their PayPal account which makes things easier for both parties involved.
Step 7: Optimize Pricing
The final step of the 3D printing process is optimizing pricing. Decide on a base price, then adjust the cost depending on size and complexity.
For example, a more complex piece that takes significantly longer to print might be worth more than a simple small figurine. Don't forget about shipping costs! They are included in the shipping costs you charge for each item.
You can list these separately from your prices or include them in the duplicate listing. Most Etsy sellers list their products with an inclusive shipping fee so buyers can easily compare prices between sellers. Pricing for three-dimensional objects depends mainly on their shape, size, and what it's made of; this means that some items may be priced at $2 per square inch while others may cost over $100 per square inch.
It's important to consider how much time you spent designing and creating your 3D design when determining the final price. If someone else has already created a similar product, make sure you offer yours at a lower price or have something unique.
Think carefully before starting any project because once you buy materials, there is no turning back- do not spend money on materials until you know if people will want to buy what you're making.
Once you have all your supplies, start drawing up designs on paper first. Play around with different shapes and sizes until you find something that would work well as a 3D object.
Sketching by hand helps visualize the idea, but software like Photoshop or Illustrator also works well. Once you find a design idea that works, create a file of the object and take screenshots from every angle so other designers can see what they'll be getting if they purchase it.
Step 8: Promote Products Via Social Media
Promoting your products with social media is a surefire way to make some quick cash. Get creative, produce content in images, videos, and GIFs, create an inviting avatar, and tag your profile with relevant keywords.
Follow other popular accounts in your niche and engage with them to get their attention. If you're still not feeling confident enough to promote products yourself, you can post your work on platforms like Gumroad or Kickstarter for feedback before listing it for sale! As long as people are interested in what you're making, they'll be more likely to buy it from you.
Getting your products out there is the best way to attract new customers. You could start by hosting an online shop through sites like Shopify or Big Cartel, offer giveaways on Instagram by sharing posts that include a purchase link, set up a Facebook fan page where people can comment about items they want to see in your store and make use of hashtags when promoting specific product lines.
It's also worth building a following on places like Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest to generate buzz around your brand.
Social media doesn't have just to be used for promotion, though - you can also use it as a customer service tool if something goes wrong with one of your products! For example, if someone messages you privately asking for a refund because they received their order damaged or broken, don't reply via direct message- instead, send them the appropriate information publicly so others know what to do if they run into similar problems.
Or take advantage of this feature by announcing upcoming promotions and sales through tweets and posts. You can also show off your most recent creations with visually appealing photographs and upload tutorials demonstrating how to make certain products.
Remember that many artists already offer downloadable files and instructions on creating their designs, which means anyone can resell them! Even if you aren't comfortable selling prints or giving away free files, you should never forget to credit any original creators whose work inspired yours - especially when getting exposure through major networks like Pinterest, which bans users who violate copyright laws.
The last thing you want is to get banned because someone reported your account due to an infringing post. Finally, I recommend setting up mailing lists (e.g., MailChimp) so subscribers receive updates straight to their inboxes and stay updated on everything related to your store. They will appreciate being kept in the loop!
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