How has everyone been selling prints and printing services? I’m on bothe make xyz and 3dhubs and haven’t gotten an order in months. Anyone setup a Facebook page for your printer/small business?
I’ve recently read that the low price and easy accessibility of 3d printers has resulted in a severe decline of contract services such as 3dhubs.
See if you have any nearby competition that might be undercutting your prices. Also check for competition from local makerspaces, schools, and libraries who might offer free access to 3D printers.
If you are trying to establish a business versus helping out the occasional bloke though, you should plan to advertise and promote your operation through social services. Facebook like you mentioned, perhaps trying to do some charity work for United Way or making trophies for the Boys and Girls Club to make people aware not only of 3D printing, but of your service.
I’ve sold a few prints through FB but unless you spam friends of friends of friends and become one who has 2500 friends to post to and share among I don’t think FB is a feasible option at least not in my area/state.
@John-Paul_Hopman I like the charity idea. Def a good option to get into.+1
Seems as my prices don’t differ from other locals. I’m a high school student and I have 2 printers I would love to make some money with again. Not sure if an all out business will work although I am planning on having a booth at our schools craft fair
I’ve been looking into it and there is no money in 3d printing. The money is in designing something new and selling what you’ve prototyped.
Created a page if anyone wants to stop by/drop a like https://www.facebook.com/3DCreationsStL/
If you want to make money, try to get a full time job at the local library/school/university to tend to their maker space. However, good luck because those institutions tend to just double duty their IT staff, who unfortunately have no interest in these subjects.
@Francis_Lee
In the case of our local library’s maker space, I’ve become a visiting advisor, as I won’t sign up to be a volunteer with all the responsibilities that ensues. The IT department for this area wants nothing to do with the makerspace, as 3d printers is such a small part of the whole picture. Crafts, sewing, arduino, photography, lego and some I’m overlooking all are encompassed in this makerspace.
Their 3d printer is public equipment, public access and currently free-of-charge. The only saving grace, if that’s it, is that it’s a Cube 3rd gen, with mid-range quality prints and a 150 mm print cube. Perhaps another aspect is that few people know it’s there!