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I got customers for my 3D-printing business, but struggled with pricing and building a brand. How should I restart?
A while ago, I started a small 3D-printing business. I offered custom printing and design services using my Bambu A1 Mini and P1S.
I actually got a few paid jobs, so I know there was some demand. Most people, however, only contacted me when they needed a specific print or wanted a quote. They didn’t really care about my brand or have a reason to follow it.
I also struggled with pricing. I wasn’t sure how to properly account for print time, material, failed prints, electricity, machine wear, and any time spent designing the part. Looking back, I think some potential customers walked away because my quotes were too high but I also didn’t want to charge so little that the job wasn’t worth doing. Since I never felt confident about my prices, quoting customers became difficult.
Eventually, I became discouraged and stopped consistently posting or promoting the business.
Now I’m thinking about rebuilding it, but I want to do it properly this time. I have experience with 3D printing, CAD, machining, and designing functional parts, so I would rather focus on useful custom solutions than sell the same toys and trinkets everyone else sells.
For those who have successfully built a 3D-printing business:
* How do you calculate a fair price for custom prints?
* Do you charge separately for CAD and design work?
* How did you turn one-time custom jobs into a recognizable brand?
* Should I specialize in a niche instead of accepting every type of order?
* What kind of content actually attracts paying customers?
* Would it be better to sell my own products alongside custom printing?
Getting a few orders showed me that the original idea wasn’t a complete failure. I just didn’t have a reliable pricing system or a clear reason for customers to remember the business. I’d appreciate honest advice on how I should approach a second attempt.
#3dprinting #technology #3d
source
A while ago, I started a small 3D-printing business. I offered custom printing and design services using my Bambu A1 Mini and P1S.
I actually got a few paid jobs, so I know there was some demand. Most people, however, only contacted me when they needed a specific print or wanted a quote. They didn’t really care about my brand or have a reason to follow it.
I also struggled with pricing. I wasn’t sure how to properly account for print time, material, failed prints, electricity, machine wear, and any time spent designing the part. Looking back, I think some potential customers walked away because my quotes were too high but I also didn’t want to charge so little that the job wasn’t worth doing. Since I never felt confident about my prices, quoting customers became difficult.
Eventually, I became discouraged and stopped consistently posting or promoting the business.
Now I’m thinking about rebuilding it, but I want to do it properly this time. I have experience with 3D printing, CAD, machining, and designing functional parts, so I would rather focus on useful custom solutions than sell the same toys and trinkets everyone else sells.
For those who have successfully built a 3D-printing business:
* How do you calculate a fair price for custom prints?
* Do you charge separately for CAD and design work?
* How did you turn one-time custom jobs into a recognizable brand?
* Should I specialize in a niche instead of accepting every type of order?
* What kind of content actually attracts paying customers?
* Would it be better to sell my own products alongside custom printing?
Getting a few orders showed me that the original idea wasn’t a complete failure. I just didn’t have a reliable pricing system or a clear reason for customers to remember the business. I’d appreciate honest advice on how I should approach a second attempt.
#3dprinting #technology #3d
source
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