With the work world still in a state of flux between on-site and remote work, many people still feel economically insecure. Some combat that feeling by looking for side hustles that can bolster their monthly income.
The cash strapped often look for low-cost side hustles like freelance writing. If you have a little money to invest, though, you might look at a 3D printer you can use to make things you can sell online. Of course, that begs the question of what 3D printer projects are the best choices.
Keep reading for a quick breakdown of options that can help you get started.
Gaming Miniatures
Gaming miniatures are an ideal option for the burgeoning 3D printing businessperson. For one, customers plan on painting the miniatures themselves. That eliminates a whole step in the process.
As an added bonus, you can also offer custom miniatures if you possess the design chops for the task. You will need 3D printer design software for that task. The upside is that you can charge premium pricing for one-of-kind miniatures.
Toys
Simple toys provide another great option for beginners. Just make sure you understand the liability rules. Children’s toys must often meet regulatory standards for issues such as choking and materials.
Toys for adults, such as fidget spinners, typically offer the lowest levels of potential liability. If you create a custom toy that gets very popular, you may end up needing a large 3D printer or end up outsourcing to a 3D company like https://www.rapidpsi.com/high-volume-production/ to meet demand.
Jewelry
Custom jewelry is another popular option, but it also calls for design skills. Your average plastic resin 3D printer usually won’t cut it for these projects either. You’ll need a 3D printer that can handle metal or carbon fiber filaments.
That can drive up the 3D printer cost and the cost of 3D printing materials. On the flip side, it’s also a product that lets you charge premium prices.
You can also do batch production on some designs for sale online.
Statues
Believe it or not, you can also get filaments that incorporate stone. That lets you print original or replica statues and busts. While they might not prove a mainstay for you, they can provide a secondary income stream if you specialize in certain types of statues.
Just make sure you steer clear of copyrighted materials, such as movie, video game, or TV materials.
3D Printer Projects and You
Picking the right 3D printer projects for your business depends in part on the market and in part on your own interests. You will find writing marketing copy for things that interest you far easier than writing it for things you don’t care about.
You must also make some decisions about what direction you will go in so you can get the right printer and materials. Some projects lend themselves to additive printers while other projects need a 3D laser printer.
Looking for more business ideas? Check out some of the other posts in our Business section.
