Turn digital designs into physical products using 3D printing technology. From selling finished prints to offering custom printing services, this modern craft combines technical skills with creative design to serve hobbyists, businesses, and collectors.
Consider these related business ideas and specializations:
Turn digital designs into physical products using 3D printing technology. From selling finished prints to offering custom printing services, this modern craft combines technical skills with creative design to serve hobbyists, businesses, and collectors.
Consider these related business ideas and specializations:
San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:
Test this idea before investing heavily:
If you already have a printer, offer print services locally for a month. Post in local Facebook groups and community boards. If you don't have a printer, buy a budget FDM printer (~$200-300) and print 20-30 sample items.
What do people actually need printed? Are locals or businesses your customers? What's their price sensitivity?
You get repeat customers or steady inquiries, and you can complete orders reliably.
Expected startup and operating expenses:
Areas where quality investment pays off:
Cheap filament clogs nozzles, prints inconsistently, and produces weaker parts. For paid work, you need reliable results.
Good enough: Mid-tier brands like Hatchbox, Overture, or eSUN. Not the cheapest no-name spools, but not boutique prices either.
Good bed adhesion prevents failed prints. A quality PEI sheet or glass bed saves more money in failed prints than it costs.
Good enough: Textured PEI spring steel sheet. Worth the $30-50 upgrade on most printers.
Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:
Financial timing and planning notes:
Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:
Join shomby today and start selling to your local community. We provide the platform—you bring the passion.
We build shomby around your business—not the other way around. If there's a feature, integration, or tool that would help your 3d printing & digital fabrication business succeed, we want to hear about it.
Design and create wearable art pieces from various materials. Handmade jewelry allows for endless creativity and personalization, from delicate minimalist pieces to bold statement items.
Share your artistic vision through original works and high-quality reproductions. Local art buyers appreciate supporting artists in their community and having access to unique pieces.
Create artisanal bath and home fragrance products. This growing market appeals to customers seeking natural, locally-made alternatives to mass-produced products with customizable scents and ingredients.
San Juan Islands-specific considerations for this business:
Test this idea before investing heavily:
If you already have a printer, offer print services locally for a month. Post in local Facebook groups and community boards. If you don't have a printer, buy a budget FDM printer (~$200-300) and print 20-30 sample items.
What do people actually need printed? Are locals or businesses your customers? What's their price sensitivity?
You get repeat customers or steady inquiries, and you can complete orders reliably.
Expected startup and operating expenses:
Areas where quality investment pays off:
Cheap filament clogs nozzles, prints inconsistently, and produces weaker parts. For paid work, you need reliable results.
Good enough: Mid-tier brands like Hatchbox, Overture, or eSUN. Not the cheapest no-name spools, but not boutique prices either.
Good bed adhesion prevents failed prints. A quality PEI sheet or glass bed saves more money in failed prints than it costs.
Good enough: Textured PEI spring steel sheet. Worth the $30-50 upgrade on most printers.
Areas where cost-cutting makes sense:
Financial timing and planning notes:
Strategies to reduce risk and increase odds of success:
Join shomby today and start selling to your local community. We provide the platform—you bring the passion.
We build shomby around your business—not the other way around. If there's a feature, integration, or tool that would help your 3d printing & digital fabrication business succeed, we want to hear about it.
Design and create wearable art pieces from various materials. Handmade jewelry allows for endless creativity and personalization, from delicate minimalist pieces to bold statement items.
Share your artistic vision through original works and high-quality reproductions. Local art buyers appreciate supporting artists in their community and having access to unique pieces.
Create artisanal bath and home fragrance products. This growing market appeals to customers seeking natural, locally-made alternatives to mass-produced products with customizable scents and ingredients.