Have you been wondering how you can start earning a living with your own 3D printer? Are you trying to figure out how you can create a side hustle to help you earn extra money, or do you have dreams of starting your own business so you can make your own hours and work at a career you are actually passionate about?

Look no further! In this blog post, we will talk about the top 10 3D printing ideas for small business and give you a feel for what is possible!

One of the top ways in which 3D printing is being used in small business, is for prototyping and designing what will eventually become a final product.

Many small businesses are using 3D printers to create prototypes for new products every day. By creating an original digital design file, 3D printing allows designers to refine, modify, customize and rapidly redesign a product or part for little cost, compared to traditional manufacturing.

Have a 3D printer and want to make some extra cash? Start your own printing services business and start 3D printing other people's art, projects, parts and prototypes for them.

There are many artists, factories, other small businesses, cosplay fans, teachers, car shops, culinary businesses and soap makers who are eager to get someone to 3D print a part or piece for them.

From prototypes, forms for molds and product packaging, table top gaming pieces, costume components, replacement car parts, artwork, jewelry, personal projects and so much more - there is a never ending supply of 3D printer-less customers waiting to connect with you and your 3D printer to make their ideas come to life.

3D printing allows for creating items specifically customized to each individual's personal measurements. Creating a 3D printed product that can be customized to fit each customer's face or body contours has opened up a whole new world for thousands of people all over the world.

For example, the e-NABLE Community has created open-source, FREE customizable 3D printable prosthetics and assistive devices for the past 10 years that can be fit to each inviduals body to make a device that is truly unique to them.

Other ideas for customizable 3D printed products are eye glass frames, ear buds, medical splints and casts, dental wear, and much more.

Customized collectibles are also a hot ticket items for 3D printing businesses. 3D printing technology can be used to create one-of-a-kind gifts for individuals, parties, weddings, special events, promos and giveaways and so much more.

Popular customized 3D printed collectable products include such things as custom miniatures and figurines of their own designs or even family and friends, specialty art. projects, and custom molds for culinary students and soap or candle makers.

Another popular option is to create 3D printed models of pet's paws or noses for those that have to send their furry friends off to cross the rainbow bridge, as a sweet memorial keepsake or turn them into special holiday ornaments and gifts.

3D printed limited edition items are also another popular way to use a 3D printer to create your own small business. You just need to figure out which niche you want to dip into and get started printing!

Not only can you 3D print jewelry with your own 3D printer from a variety of colorful and specialty materials, including metals, but you can also create forms to be used for molds for lost wax casting.

The ability to create one design that can be replicated over and over, resized and customized with 3D printing opens up all kinds of opportunities for 3D printed jewelry small businesses.

Another great use of 3D printing for small business is to create realistic and detailed models for real estate developments for architects and contractors.

This allows them to show concepts and ideas to potential clients, decide where they may want to make some changes to the designs and reconfigure spaces.

Creating fun custom designs for key chains and welcome home signs for realtors to gift to new homeowners is also a fun small business idea.

A fun way to create a 3D printing business that helps people, is to start 3D printing things like missing parts for toys, musical instruments, car parts, household appliances, game pieces, antiquesl, RV's and campers or automotive needs.

Some items are no longer made or in production, so many antique dealers and collectors have turned to 3D printing to help replace lost, broken or missing parts for things.

You can also use 3D printing to modify existing products, such as phone cases, laptop cases, sewing kits, tool kits, car parts and much more.

Do you have a passion for teaching others about things you are passionate about? How about starting a small business based on educating others on how to use their own 3D printers, create their own design files, which materials work well for different projects and other 3D printing related educational experiences.

You could offer a fun summer camp option to homeschool families, help troubleshoot for others and teach them how to make their own repairs and so much more!

Not only does 3D printing open up a world of wonderful creative possibilities for you as an artist yourself to create unique pieces that can be easily duplicated for low materials costs, but it also opens up doors for collaboration from all over the world!

Imagine starting a design for an art piece and inviting fellow artists from all over the globe to participate by uploading their part of the project, where it can be easily incorporated into a finished piece and 3D printed no matter where you are in the world!

There have been many fun art projects created this way and 3D printing opens up a lot of potentially fun art business ideas you could be putting together!

With the invent of affordable desktop thermoforming and vacuum forming machines from companies like Mayku, we are seeing a lot of new opportunities for people to utilize their 3D printers to create forms for molds for clients who want to use them for packaging, chocolates, prototyping and even final products like light covers.

Pairing a 3D printer with a vacuum former or thermoforming machine creates an opportunity for multiple small businesses that can cater to a variety of individuals in need of specialized molds for their products.

Are you interested in starting your own 3D printing business but don't know where to begin? Do you need help finding the right 3D printer for your business ideas?

We are happy to help! Please reach out to us at info@shop3duniverse.org and we will help you find exactly what you need to get started!