How to Start a 3D Printing Business From Home Profitably

Ever thought your 3D printing hobby could make you money? 

Yes, that’s right. Starting a 3D printing business from home might be the side hustle you’ve been looking for. But owning a 3D printer isn’t enough. Costs can add up quickly if you don't have a clear plan.

To build a profitable business, you’ll need the right tools, creative product ideas, and a great marketing strategy. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to start a 3D printing business right from the comfort of your home. We’ll walk you through exactly what you’ll need, the startup costs, and 3D printing business ideas.

Is 3D Printing a Good Business to Start in 2025?

Yes, 3D printing is not only a good business but a fast-growing one, too. The industry has been growing steadily in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down. 

The global 3D printing market is expected to hit $134.58 billion by 2034. This represents an 18.52% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2025 to 2034.

What’s more, the number of 3D printers shipped worldwide will exceed 8 million by 2027.

Here are the factors driving this growth.

• Demand for personalized items is skyrocketing, especially in fashion, decor, and tech accessories.
• Affordable printers and software make it easy to start a 3D printing business.

If you have an eye for design, starting a 3D printing business can provide a reliable source of income.

What You Need to Start a 3D Printing Business

Starting a 3D printing business from home doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. With the right tools and materials, you can bring your 3D printing business ideas to life. 

Here’s what you’ll require to build a profitable business.

Choosing the Right 3D Printer

Your 3D printer will form the foundation of your business. Select one that fits your budget, skill level, print volume, and the type of products you want to make. 

Here are some reliable and affordable options:

• Creality Ender 3 V2 
• Anycubic Kobra Go 
• Prusa Mini+
• Elegoo Mars 3

Essential Software and Tools

Besides the physical printer, you’ll need to design and prepare your models for printing. The right software solution will help you turn your 3D printing business ideas into high-quality, market-ready products.

Here are some great tools you can use:

• Tinkercad
• Fusion 360 (Hobby license)
• Cura
• Blender
• Meshmixer

Filament and Materials Overview

Filament is the raw material your 3D printer will use to create finished products. Choose what works best for your product and customer needs.

Here are some excellent, cost-effective materials:

• PLA 
• ABS 
• PETG 
• TPU

How Much Does It Cost to Start a 3D Printing Business?

One of the factors to consider when learning how to start a 3D printing business is the startup cost. On average, you can expect to spend $1,000–10,000, depending on the equipment and materials you choose.

The best part?

Starting a 3D printing business from home helps you reduce some expenses, such as rent and utilities. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of typical startup costs.

To reduce costs:

• Use open-source design files.
• Use free design and slicer software like Tinkercad, Fusion 360, or Cura.
• Start a 3D printing business with PLA filament.

10 Product Ideas for a 3D Printing Side Hustle

Here are 10 profitable 3D printing business ideas you can try.

1. Custom Phone Cases

Phone accessories are a profitable niche, and custom cases are among the most popular. 

You can design custom phone cases for popular models. Add textures, names, fandom themes, or cool 3D patterns to make each one feel personal. Here’s an example of a custom phone case from Podbase: 

Why They Sell

Most people want a unique phone case that lets them express their personality and style. 

Where to Sell

Etsy, Shopify, TikTok Shop

Tools to Use

Podbase, Blender, Canva

2. Jewelry and Fashion Accessories

Selling jewelry and accessories is one of the best 3D printing business ideas. Print earrings, rings, pendants, cufflinks, or even sunglasses frames in fun colors or metallic finishes.

Why They Sell

Shoppers love original fashion that’s uniquely theirs or holds special meaning. Accessories also make great gifts and impulse buys.

Where to Sell 

Etsy, Instagram Shop, Amazon Handmade

Tools to Use

Tinkercad, Podbase, Fusion 360

3. Miniature Figurines and Gaming Accessories

You can start a 3D printing business by making collectible gaming items. Design fantasy miniatures, custom dice holders, terrain pieces, card organizers, or game tokens for games like Warhammer.

Why They Sell

Gamers love customizing their play experience with unique setups, favorite characters, or game styles.

Where to Sell

Etsy, eBay, MyMiniFactory, online gaming forums

Tools to Use

Blender, ZBrush, PrusaSlicer

4. Art

If you’re an artist, starting a 3D printing business allows you to create beautiful, sculptural pieces, great for home decor or office art.

Print abstract sculptures, busts, typography art, or layered shadow boxes. Add a personal twist like custom names or quotes.

Why They Sell

Homeowners and art lovers are drawn to unique decor. 3D-printed art stands out from mass-produced pieces and reaches buyers who value originality.

Where to Sell

Etsy, Shopify, Redbubble

Tools to Use

Podbase, Tinkercad

5. Home Decor Items

One of the best 3D printer business ideas is home decor. Try modern vase designs, drawer knobs, coaster sets, candle holders, or lamp shades with interesting patterns.

Why They Sell

People love adding personality to their spaces with custom, unique pieces.

Where to Sell

Etsy, Amazon Handmade

Tools to Use

Cura, Inkscape, Podbase

6. Personalized Keychains

While small in size, personalized keychains are marketable and can help you make money quickly. Print keychains with names, initials, inside jokes, favorite pets, sports shapes, and more.

Why They Sell

Keychains are small, fun, and easy to personalize. They make great gifts or promotional items and are cheap to produce.

Where to Sell

Shopify, Etsy, TikTok Shop, local gift shops

Tools to Use

Canva, FreeCAD, Podbase

7. Educational Models and Learning Aids

If you’re an expert in a particular field, starting a 3D business from home should be easy. Design ABC blocks, anatomical models, scientific prototypes, or geometric shapes.

Why They Sell

Parents, students, and teachers prefer creative and educational tools that combine fun with learning.

Where to Sell

Etsy, social media forums

Tools to Use

Fusion 360, MakePrintable, Blender

8. Pet Tags and Accessories

The pet accessories market is expected to grow from $23.4 billion to $49.6 billion by 2034. 

You can start a 3D printing business by selling custom name tags, leash hooks, food bowl labels, etc. 

Why They Sell

People treat their pets like family and are willing to pay for cute, custom gear that reflects their pets’ personalities.

Where to Sell

Instagram, Etsy, TikTok

Tools to Use

Podbase, Canva, Tinkercad

9. Home Organizers and Storage Solutions

Custom storage and organization solutions are great ideas for starting a 3D printing business. You can design desk trays, drawer dividers, cable organizers, or even spice racks.

Why They Sell

People love tidy, clutter-free homes. If your designs are clever, practical, and customizable, they’ll sell fast.

Where to Sell

Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify, Reddit forums

Tools to Use

OpenSCAD, Fusion 360, Gridfinity

10. Custom Replacement Parts

You can start a 3D printing business for replacement solutions. Print custom replacement parts like washer knobs, missing clips, remote battery covers, and more. 

Why They Sell

It’s cheaper to replace a part than buy a new appliance. 

Where to Sell

eBay, Shopify, Etsy, social media platforms

Tools to Use

Podbase, Thingiverse, Fusion 360

How to Make Money With Your 3D Printer

Here are several ways to make money by starting a 3D printing business.

Print and Sell Products

You can create physical items and sell them on Etsy or Shopify. Custom POD niche products often have more demand and less competition. 

For instance, you can focus on selling tech accessories or minimalist home decor pieces. Here’s an image showing the various custom tech accessories you can consider:

Offer Custom Print Services

Many small businesses need 3D-printed parts but don't own a printer or have the necessary skills. In this case, you can start a 3D printing business and create custom models for artists and businesses. 

Sell 3D Models or Templates

If you’re a skilled designer, you can create and sell your original models on platforms like Gumroad. You only need to upload and promote your files to start generating passive income.

Run a Local Repair or Prototyping Shop

You can start a 3D printing business to offer repair services or build prototypes for local customers. Partner with nearby schools or startups and create a Google My Business profile to promote your services locally.

Where to Sell Your 3D-Printed Products 

Learning how to start a 3D printing business involves knowing where to sell your products. The platform you choose will determine how much you earn and how quickly you grow.

Here are some top places to list and sell your creations.

Etsy

Etsy is a top ecommerce platform for selling unique 3D-printed products. If you’re wondering how to start a 3D printing business on Etsy, all you need is a seller account. 

Some Etsy shop ideas you can try include custom jewelry, home decor, and game accessories.

TikTok Shop

If your designs are practical or eye-catching, you can sell directly to viewers through shoppable videos on TikTok. Use trending sounds to increase the chances of your products going viral.

Your Shopify Store

Setting up a Shopify store gives you full control over branding, pricing, and customer experience. You can connect your store to print-on-demand, email marketing, and SEO tools to drive more traffic and sales.

For example, Podbase easily integrates with Shopify as shown below:

Faire for B2B

If you want to start a part-time or full-time wholesale business, Faire is the perfect platform. It allows you to connect with independent retailers looking to stock unique products, like tech accessories.

Tips to Keep Costs Low and Profits High

You don’t have to drain all your savings to start a 3D printing business. With the right tools and habits, you can cut expenses, reduce waste, and maximize profits.

Here’s how to start a 3D printing business on a minimal budget.

• Use Free 3D Modeling Tools: Instead of paying for costly software to start a 3D printing business, use free tools like Tinkercad or Fusion 360.
• Track Materials: Use inventory and cost-tracking software like Craftybase to monitor the materials each product uses. This helps you price products accurately, avoid waste, and identify which POD items are most profitable.
• Reuse Failed Prints or Buy Filament in Bulk: Don’t dispose of your misprints. Instead, melt them down with a filament recycler or repurpose them for testing. Buying filament in bulk from trusted suppliers can also help you lower your costs.
• Use Open-Source Models When Possible: Sites like Thingiverse or Printables offer free, open-source 3D models you can use to start a 3D printing business.