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Business 3d printer personal experience. How much does printing cost

♦ Capital investments – 130,000 rubles.
♦ Payback – 3−6 months.

Today, the business sector is going through a difficult time.

To the difficulties it creates economic crisis, other problems are added: a high level of competition and a small number of unoccupied niches in most areas, the need to invest huge capital, a low percentage of profitability, and others.

To make money as an entrepreneur, you need to look for new sources of income and be one step ahead of your competitors.

Your lifesaver today can be 3D printer. Business using this miracle technique has many advantages, does not require huge investments and is within the power of people without special education.

If you take the risk of going down the beaten path by implementing innovative ideas, you can be sure that the business with a 3D printer is profitable.

How to choose the right 3d printer for business?

To start making money on 3D printing, you need not only original ideas, a well-written business plan and the collected amount of capital investment.

The main thing you need is the printer itself, which prints in 3d.

The choice of technique should be based on the following criteria:

  1. Types of plastic that can be used for printing.
    There are two types of plastic used for 3D printing: ABS (made from plant materials such as corn) and PLA (made from petroleum waste).
    The second type of raw material is more durable and durable, but not everyone wants to buy things made from it, especially if we are talking about children's toys or dentures.
    That is why it is better to buy a 3D printer that works with two types of plastic.
  2. The diameter of the print nozzle, which directly affects print quality.
    It is better to buy a 3D printer with a nozzle size of no more than 100 microns.
  3. Finished product size.
    A printer is considered good, on which you can make a product up to 30 cm cube in size. and weighing up to 5 kg.
    Printers that create very miniature products (no more than 10 cm3) are unprofitable to purchase.
  4. Print color range.
    Most printers for home use print 3d products in one color.
    Equipment that is very expensive and is unlikely to pay off is capable of multi-color printing, therefore, if there is such a need, it is better to tint the finished products manually.
    So the business with a 3D printer will become self-sustaining in the shortest possible time.
  5. Price.
    Of course, you want to make your idea as cost-effective as possible, but be aware that the 3D printer business can be tough on the tight-fisted.
    If you buy cheap low-quality equipment, it will break down quickly enough.
    Consider buying 3D printers that start at $1,000 and up.
  6. Manufacturer.
    The most high-quality 3D printers are made by such companies: Hewlett-Packard, 3D Systems, EnvisionTEC, Stratasys Ltd and others.

Small 3D printer for business: advantages and disadvantages


Many foreign companies are now engaged in the manufacture of 3d printers, both for industrial scale and for private use.

Even real giants are being produced that print bridges over a river or pavement.

You to start a business with a 3d printer , it is enough to purchase a small device that can be easily accommodated even in an ordinary apartment.

And already when you recoup capital investments, you can think about how to purchase more powerful equipment and reach industrial scale.

Business on a small 3d printer has a number of advantages:

  • the acquisition of such equipment is within the power of even people with low incomes;
  • the cost of raw materials for loading the printer is small;
  • can print many kinds of products that sell well;
  • the printer supports several types of plastic;
  • print quality will suit your customers;
  • A 3d printer is able to work tirelessly for several hours in a row and 10-14 hours a day in total.

If we talk about the shortcomings of a business organized using a small 3D printer, then it is worth mentioning:

  • small volumes of production, which do not even approximately resemble industrial scale;
  • the size of products manufactured on a 3D printer does not exceed 30 cm3.

What can be printed on a 3d printer doing this business?

Interesting fact:
In 1966, the television series Star Trek first showed a prototype of a modern 3D printer, with which the heroes, being on a spaceship, created various food products. Then it seemed unrealistic, but today it has become a reality, like a laser beam in its time.

Don't be intimidated by the fact that you first have to purchase a small 3D printer that is suitable for home use.

This miniature (compared with industrial giants) technique prints many interesting and beautiful gizmos that can be sold.

On a 3d printer, you can make:

  1. Souvenir products.
  2. Creative design shoes.
  3. Kids toys.
  4. Worn parts for anything.
  5. Cases for tablets and smartphones, covers for notebooks and books, business card holders, key chains, key holders, wallets and other stylish accessories.
  6. Jewelry for men and women, hair clips and more.
  7. Accessories for clothes and shoes: buttons, fasteners, buckles, etc.
  8. Crockery and flower pots.
  9. outdoor advertising.
  10. Medical prostheses.
  11. Doll furniture and more.

The main thing is creativity in choosing an idea: to do what no one else does and at the same time do it beautifully so that any client gasps with delight.

And of course, you should focus on consumer demand.

If some type of product made on a 3d printer is not sold at all, then it is worth abandoning its production and doing something that is well bought up by customers.

How to do business with a 3d printer?


Let’s say you have looked for a good 3D printer for home use in a store or on the Internet and now you are deciding how to start making money on it.

A business on a 3d printer, like any other, requires drawing up financial plan with step by step instructions.

Only in this way, from the idea of ​​a 3D printer, you can go directly to making money with minimal losses.

In order to start a business on a 3d printer, you will need:

  • decide whether you will manufacture products at home or are going to rent an office;
  • purchase the printer itself and consumables for it;
  • learn how to make different kinds products for sale;
  • find sources of sales and conduct an advertising campaign;
  • decide on legal registration own business;
  • raise the necessary amount of money to start a 3D printer business.

It doesn't take too long to open a 3d printer business.

In fact, you will be able to cope with all the named conditions for the implementation of a startup in just a few months:

StageJan.Feb.March
Buying a 3D printer and consumables
Learn to work on it
Business advertising
Market search
Starting a business

Business registration on a 3D printer


Experienced entrepreneurs advise not to rush to register as an individual entrepreneur immediately after you have an idea.

The fact that you bought a 3d printer does not guarantee that a queue of customers will line up for you.

And you will have to pay taxes in any case, regardless of the profits of your business.

Work for a while as an illegal immigrant right at home.

You can register a business on a 3d printer as an individual entrepreneur or LLC only when your business starts to bring you huge profits, and legal entities appear among customers who are ready to purchase large quantities of goods by bank transfer.

Business premises and staff with 3d printer

Companies make 3D printers that are quite compact when it comes to equipment for home use.

Until you know how successful your business with a 3D printer will be, there is no need to rush into renting an office, the cost of which ruins many entrepreneurs.

Surely in your house there is a table at which you could work on a 3d printer and a cabinet or rack where the goods you printed would be stored.

It is worth thinking about renting a separate office only after the appearance of permanent wholesale customers and business expansion.

In order to achieve a financially profitable implementation of the idea, you will need to:

  • learn how to work on 3D equipment;
  • master graphic programs such as Corel Draw, Photoshop and others;
  • print products for sale on a 3D printer;
  • create a website and update the range of products you want to sell;
  • advertise your business with a 3d printer;
  • do business with clients.

If you can do all this on your own, then you don’t need to involve anyone in your business.

Otherwise, look for an assistant who will directly work on the 3d printer, and you will take care of all organizational issues.

But there is no need to rush into hiring an assistant.

At the initial stage of opening a business, you can do it on your own.

Advertising a business with a 3D printer and finding customers

If you are buying a 3D printer for your own needs, then you do not need any advertising.

If your goal is to earn and return the capital investment invested in the business as soon as possible, then without advertising company, which will help to attract a maximum of customers, is indispensable.

Moreover, you need to use various tools to advertise your business with a 3D printer in order to attract single customers who are looking for original gift, and wholesalers in the face of souvenir shops and resellers in the market.

  1. Handing out flyers, business cards and booklets in high traffic areas.
  2. By posting outdoor advertising in public transport and on city streets.
  3. Submit your creative ideas to social networks.
  4. By creating your own website with product photos and approximate prices for it.
  5. Going in search potential clients with samples of goods made on a 3d printer: to souvenir, household and children's stores, to the market to resellers.

How much does it cost to open a 3d printer business?


This type of business does not apply to startups that need multimillion-dollar financial inflows.

The most that you have to spend money on is the purchase of a 3d printer and materials for the manufacture of goods using 3D technology.

There will be other expenses in business (creating a website, advertising), but these items of expenditure are not that expensive.

To start doing business on a 3d printer, it is enough to have 130,000 rubles:

If you want to purchase a more expensive 3D printer, register as an individual entrepreneur, rent an office so as not to work at home, and hire an assistant already at the initial stage, then the amount of your capital investment in the business can increase significantly.

The numbers you see in the table illustrate the financial side of the launch small business which will expand gradually.

Interesting facts about 3D printers, their capabilities,

and how you can earn money

presented in the video:

How much will a 3D printer business bring to its owner?


The cost of printing on a 3D printer for 1 gram of plastic raw materials, taking into account the cost of electricity and printer maintenance, will be about 5 rubles.

But the selling price of the finished product is 40-50 rubles.

If you make 6 kg of products on a 3d printer using fully purchased bobbins with plastic threads, you will earn 240,000 - 300,000 rubles.

Subtract from this amount 15,000 rubles (the cost of plastic threads) and 5,000 rubles (advertising, electricity and additional expenses) and as a result we get 220,000– 280,000 rubles of profit.

As you can see, this amount could not only recoup capital investments, but also let you earn 90,000 - 150,000 rubles of net profit.

But how quickly you can make original products on a 3D printer and sell it depends solely on you.

But get ready for the fact that even if your 3D printer works 10-12 hours a day, and your customer acquisition campaign is extremely effective, it will take at least 3-4 months to use all the materials, sell all the manufactured products .

Business with 3d printer can become both an incredibly promising and profitable startup that will allow you to build a huge business, and a toy that you spent over 100,000 rubles in vain on.

The final result of the implementation of this innovative idea depends only on you.

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The desire to have your own profitable business is an obsession with many hired employees who, day after day, monotonously “wind the term” for an intolerable boss. However, wishing and doing are two banks of the same river, which can only be connected by the right business idea. By the way, if you delve into the search, you can be surprised how many unrealized opportunities surround the world and the surrounding society. It is only important to know how to search correctly.

The following article will tell you about one affordable and easy way to earn money that will help anyone to say goodbye to the bondage of a hired worker and embark on the path of an independent entrepreneurial life. In business, 3D technology and its most progressive novelty, the 3D printer, will help us.

The concept and purpose of a 3D printer

The main feature of a 3d printer is its functional purpose. Unlike a conventional device that reproduces only printed texts or images, a 3D printer allows you to materialize three-dimensional objects. Such a result is possible due to the sequential (layered) layering of the required three-dimensional form of multi-colored materials (plastic, wax or metal) on top of each other.

With the help of such a technical miracle, a plastic pistol was released, which, in terms of its characteristics, is in no way inferior to its combat prototype. And this result concerns not only external data, since the “printed” weapon successfully passed all test tests at the test site.

For aspiring startups, whose investment opportunities are very limited, making money on 3D printing is a great project. This is due to the fact that the modern market of technological innovations allows you to purchase a 3D printer at a reasonable price. So, you can find options where the amount of new equipment starts at $ 1,000. Concerning required material(mostly plastic), then the range of prices here is in the range of 1800-3300 rubles per kilogram.

Expert opinion

Roman Efremov

Work experience: 5 years. Specialization: all areas of jurisprudence.

Volumetric printing is performed by several methods:

  1. Laser stereolithography. The given model is made from liquid polymers, which harden under the action of a laser machine. The process is quite lengthy, since after each layer has dried, the model is again immersed in the polymer and exposed to the laser.
  2. Selective laser sintering. To create the workpiece, powder materials and plastic are used. The powder is located on a special platform, where it is heated by a laser. The process is carried out under special conditions. It will be necessary to protect the production tank from the penetration of oxygen.
  3. Electron-beam melting. It is very similar to selective laser sintering. The only difference is that this 3D printing format does not use a laser. Its function is performed by an electron beam, and the process of manufacturing a model is carried out in vacuum conditions.
  4. Fusion. Plastic, wax or metal is preheated to melting temperature. After that, through a special extrusion head, the material is applied in layers. Before applying the next layer to the workpiece, the platform is lowered by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the layer.
  5. Lamination. The workpiece is obtained by successively gluing several layers of a thin film. To carry out the operation, the working material is preheated, after which several layers of film are placed under pressure.

When creating three-dimensional products, several different technologies are used, which are fundamentally different from each other. The main ones are inkjet and laser printing.

Features of inkjet printing

· High speed of hardening of the received form of a product during cooling.

· Plastic hardens due to the influence of ultraviolet light.

· It is possible to glue powdered material (for example, finely gutted cellulose).

· When creating large-scale objects, it is possible to use thick mixtures of ceramic type.

Features of laser printing

· Laser technology is used for fusion (plastic or metal powder is melted).

· The technology of lamination is involved (the final shape of the manufactured figures is formed as a result of gluing the layers).

· The final form of the object in the form of solid plastic is obtained as a result of the application of stereolithography technology. This means that the solidification of the liquid polymer occurs due to gradual light exposure.

How to make money on the possibilities of a 3d printer?

Earnings through the use of a 3d printer are diverse, since the items produced can be sold in a wide variety of industries and areas of human leisure. Let's take a closer look at some of options.

Printing 3D Shape Images. In a constantly evolving world, human souvenir figurines will look very relevant and attractive. Especially if these are miniature copies of friends, acquaintances or relatives. A 3d printer can handle this task quite easily. To do this, you just need to select an image of a three-dimensional shape for a given person, and then transfer the task to the printer. After that, human intervention ends, and the printing device creates a figurine that completely copies the layout of the sent image.

If you search on the internet ongoing projects, then you can meet a lot of entrepreneurs who in this way copy images of famous actors, football players, video game characters, cartoons and other famous characters. Figures can be created both for mass sale and work individually with each client. A small feature of such production is that finished products can only be sold after simple grinding procedures that do not take much time.

3d printed phone case. The manufacture of accessories deserves special attention, since 3D printer technologies make this process limited only by human imagination. The vast majority of young people are obsessed with their own unique style, which is convenient to emphasize with the help of unique things. This list may include: phone cases, original cases, keys and non-standard key chains, car knick-knacks, parts that help you work and spend your free time, as well as much, much more that the creative client nature wishes.

If we take into account the profitability of an independent souvenir and accessory business, then their combination with the help of a 3d printer will allow the entrepreneur to quickly win consumer market through an exclusive and high-quality product called "human fantasy".

For creative people, the meaning of which is the embodiment of unusual design solutions, the 3d printer will act as the link that will connect your favorite business with high profits.

Creation of architectural layouts thanks to 3d printer technologies. This business direction will be deeply appreciated by students and people whose lives are closely intertwined with architecture. This is due, first of all, to the fact that not a single colorful description can replace the material form of the future building, which can be embodied on a 3d printer. Such a skillful presentation allows future and current architects to find profitable investors for their "living" projects, and the entrepreneur to expand his audience through grateful clients.

Manufacture of household items. Stamped factory items that can be found in almost every apartment have long gone out of fashion.

The market demands exclusivity. Therefore, any client idea in itself is already a potential profit for the owner of a 3d printer. And at the same time, it does not matter at all whether it will be a gift vase or a mug for daily use. The main thing is to sell a well-embodied idea, which will be the only one of its kind.

Creation of silhouettes from photographs. This idea belongs to an Australian designer who, with the help of photo processing skills and a 3d printer, was able to conquer the figurine market around the world. The algorithm of his work looked like this: received an order from a client - chose good photo– created a silhouette – printed the resulting model on a 3d printer – sent the work to the client – ​​received a well-deserved reward. Everything is simple, it remains to acquire patience and start doing what you love.

Business plan for making money with a 3D printer

The success of any project, and printing on a 3d printer is no exception, depends primarily on proper organization. Therefore, a novice entrepreneur should study all the nuances that can be both when purchasing a printer and related materials, and when working with target audience during the marketing of the final product.

It is most effective to build a business plan for making money on a 3d printer according to the classical scheme, which has the following sequence of actions:

· Compile the estimated part, which will include the cost of the original equipment and the costs of its operation.

· Do qualitative analysis market and compare the results with the expected profit. After that, it is necessary to take into account the regular (monthly) expenses that will be necessary for the full functioning of the project.

· Calculate the amount of monthly net income, which will result from subtracting the potential profit and monthly costs. The resulting figure will reflect the profitability of the business.

· At all these stages, do not forget about advertising and active promotion of 3d printing services. After all, even a super product will not bring benefits if no one knows about it.

And this is what an approximate financial and settlement part of a business plan looks like:

Legal costs for registration entrepreneurial activity(registration PBOYuL).

· Purchase of a 3d printer, you can see examples at the link - 150,000 rubles.

· Accompanying (consumable) materials - 2400 rubles (the cost is taken per kilogram of weight).

· A set of 10 bobbins of multi-colored plastic, which is recommended to be purchased in the following proportion: two units - black, three units - white, five units - at the discretion of the entrepreneur.

Thus, the estimated amount of the printer, together with materials, is 174,000 rubles.

In addition to all of the above, you need a laptop, which, in case of absence, should definitely be included in the cost estimate. Its cost varies greatly depending on the model and starts from 13,000 rubles.

Also, do not forget that for a constant influx of customers, a well-designed website is simply necessary, which will contain unique selling texts and favorable conditions for cooperation. The total cost of an optimized site will be about 30,000 rubles.

Monthly expenses include the promotion of services in social networks and other Internet portals. The approximate figure here is about 6000 rubles.

The total initial investment is 210,000 rubles (printer, materials, laptop, advertising and website);

Monthly expenses - 18,000 rubles (6,000 rubles - advertising and promotion; 12,000 rubles - purchase of consumables).

The estimated cost of the finished plastic product per 1 gram will be 50 rubles (or 50,000 rubles per kilogram). This condition is valid for the purchase of material at a price of 2400 rubles per kilogram.

Potential profit

To calculate the maximum possible profit that one 3d printer gives, we will carry out the calculation with the expectation that in 10 minutes the device is able to print 1 gram of the finished form. In an hour, this will already bring about 300 rubles of profit. Let's pretend that manufacturing process will run around the clock, then the daily profit will be equal to 7200 rubles. Hypothetically, this figure per month can reach 220,000 rubles (the calculation is taken taking into account the continuous operation of the printer).

If we take into account the side costs of plastic, which, with this performance, will be about five kilograms, then 12,000 rubles should be subtracted from the total profit.

So, the potential profit with a continuously working printer, if you remove all current expenses (6,000 rubles for advertising costs, 12,000 rubles for consumables and 10% tax) will be 180,000 rubles per month.

If up to this point the profitability of earning with the help of a 3d printer was in doubt, then elementary calculations put everything in its place. Despite the fact that this business plan implies continuous printing(which is impossible to realize in life), the profit from less modest production standards also turns out to be significant. Indeed, it is quite difficult to meet projects with profitability, which can reach not only 100%, but also 1000% per month.

It is worth recalling that operating profitability refers to the ratio of the profit received from the sale final product to the amount spent on its manufacture. In the above example, the profitability will be calculated using the following formula:

180000:18000 = 10 rubles (profit for each ruble put into production). As a percentage, this figure is equal to 1000% rubles.

All calculations carried out are approximate, however, they clearly reflect the ratio of possible profit to the funds spent. If you properly present 3D printer printing services and attract the global capabilities of the Internet, you can get regular customers from different parts of the world. This will be the impetus further development, and to the growth of a permanent source of income.

Hello 3D Today!

My name is Vasily Kiselev, I am the owner and managing director of Top 3D Shop and today I want to talk about how I developed my business without entrepreneurial experience and knowledge.

On the this moment we have been on the market for about four years, and for two years now we have been confidently holding the leading position in the personal segment of 3D equipment (3D printers and 3D scanners), in the past 2016 we approached a turnover of 300 million rubles and continue to develop actively.

I am often asked what is the secret of the success of our small company, and since the articles on RBC and The Village do not reveal some details, I decided to write a small post about it.
Moreover, we have been blogging on 3D Today for a long time, but we forgot to introduce ourselves.

About myself

I had a penchant for technical disciplines and therefore, after college, through an internship program, I got into one of the energy companies with the typical name “TGC-1”. While working, he simultaneously studied at the Polytechnic University as a gas and steam turbines and was very far from entrepreneurship.

Work in the corporation was routine, mostly paperwork, and consisted of supporting the construction of energy facilities.

The only thing she gave: experience paperwork, stability and VHI, which you hardly use at 25.

Career growth in such a structure is a very rare and optional event. You can sit in your place for years and not get a single opportunity to increase and increase income.

Working on the part of the customer gave me some knowledge in the field of project management, but the workflow itself was no longer inspiring at all: dust and dirt outside the window, and inefficient paperwork turns you into a zombie.

I felt the need for a new occupation, a source of knowledge and additional income. It was necessary to change something, it remains only to understand in which direction to move.

At first, I was consumed by odd jobs in the event industry. My colleague and I helped organize weddings in our free time.

This session gave me experience of working with a large number of contractors at the same time, an understanding of working with money within my own business, and a general understanding of organizing a small business.

All this happened in parallel with the main work and bore fruit, but the desire to radically change something did not disappear.

Case decided the case. One day while looking news feeds, I suddenly came across the news about the release of the legendary Makerbot Replicator 2 3D printer. It was 2012, this topic was then quite new and not particularly promoted, and interested me.


I watched several videos, read thematic articles on foreign sites and felt unusual interest.

The wow effect has been achieved: you understand that this is the very future that will soon pass by and become part of the present, if you do not pay attention to it right now.

Immediately there was a desire to purchase a miracle device, and just to find out in more detail how things are going in this area.

I googled stores, went through Avito and Yandex Market, and found out that there is not a single specialized company in St. Petersburg that would purposefully sell equipment. Not a single credible firm in this area in the entire vast city. A completely new empty market, and so interesting too.

Start

It remained to study the demand in practice, well, to find the means to start.

As a trial copy, I ordered a MakerBot Replicator 2 on ebay, the same one that I saw in the news. I was lucky that I did not suffer the fate of the author of this topic.

The first "catch" is the first printout on the first printer received.

Having created accounts and created offers on bulletin boards, I sat down to study video courses on creating and layout sites from lynda.com. Responses to ads went almost immediately, which once again confirmed the correctness of the choice of niche. Without hesitation, I registered the print3dspb.ru domain in order to be different from the Moscow companies that existed at that time.

The first printers, ordered with their own money, were successfully sold in a matter of days - they were literally torn off with their hands.

As you understand, at first there was no office, the first clients came for demonstrations and purchases directly to my house, and it was terrible.

Of course, at the very beginning there was no 100% confidence in success, there were no similar companies in St. Petersburg, there was no information in the media, I had no entrepreneurial experience, and the market was just emerging.

But the demand was obvious, and therefore it was decided to transfer the activity to a civilized course, for which a legal entity was formed.

By that time, I completed the first site, which is now ridiculous to remember myself, set up Yandex.Direct and AdWords, began to study SEO and involved a colleague at work - the one with whom we organized celebrations. He liked the idea and invested his savings - 1 million rubles.

We bought more printers, rented workplaces in the coworking space and hired a couple more people - a sales manager and an engineer to maintain and set up equipment.

The first office in a coworking space.

At first, I had to combine everything: old work, study, organizing my own business, hiring people, finding suppliers, logistics and a bunch of other little things, everything happened at the same time. And at first it was difficult, but at the same time kayfovo.

The first sales motivated me to immerse myself in work even more and I hardly felt tired.

I had to acquire competencies that I had never thought about before, to delve into things that were completely new to me.

Luck and diligence are two important components of a successful start. Both factors are equally important. Without hard work, patience and a fair amount of perfectionism, no amount of luck will help grow a business.

Development

Knowledge was sorely lacking. Fundamental things like building a sales force, financial planning, organization of purchases and warehouse - I had to decide on the go.

At the same time, you keep asking yourself:


Because there is no one to ask.

Under these conditions, I was always tormented by the thirst to compare the business processes of my company with others, albeit just as small, but successful.

The St. Petersburg business club helped me with this - the Vverkh business school, which is still continues to help budding entrepreneurs like me.


Business meetings held there to exchange experience, to which the owners came large companies and top managers of corporations, gave a lot of useful information on organizing their business at an early stage.

In particular, it was there that deeper knowledge was obtained on the organization of the work of the sales department, for example, on the competent construction of a motivation system, the intricacies of working with different legal entities, marketing, and much more. It was a really rewarding experience.

We analyzed different cases, including mine. By the way, no one believed in us as equipment sellers. All critics unanimously said that we will be devoured by "box-movers" - network retailers, and the only direction we need to concentrate on is services (3d printing, 3d scanning and modeling). But I was sure that this would not happen, since the equipment is complex, expertise is required, and the transaction cycle reaches several months.

Despite the criticism from the club's naysayers, my business model continued to work.

After some time, having seen that we were making the first successes, one of the eminent and experienced investors and the then top manager of a large retailer wanted to become our mentor and co-founder, while receiving 25% of the shares and not investing his own funds in the business . At this stage, I almost made a fatal mistake.

Knowing about his experience and success, I already decided to agree, but my partner opened my eyes, and I saw the absurdity of the situation.

The lack of far-sighted and strategic thinking gave rise to self-doubt, it seemed that an experienced mentor was guaranteed to bring success and positively affect our development.

Now, over time, it seems ridiculous. But in reality, it would be an unforgivable mistake to give a quarter of the shares to a stranger for nothing.
  1. Free events Business Schools “Up”
  2. Megabreakthrough “Sales System” and “Finance”
  3. Netology “Director of Online Marketing”

    Growth

    In the same year, we rented our own office, moved there from a co-working space, opened a storm of activity on all fronts and, almost immediately, took part in exhibitions. One of our very first expositions was 3D Print Expo - the largest festival of 3D technologies in our country.

    When I realized that it was time to get out of St. Petersburg, to expand our geography, a quite reasonable question arose: what to do with the site, because its address and name were firmly tied to the city.

    There was a need for a brand that is not associated with the name of the city, that meets the profile of activity, is memorable and bright.

    At that time, I already understood the prospects for the development of the product matrix and saw a clear association among buyers with a 3D hypermarket. So I looked for domains related to 3D + shop or store.

    All short names at that time were already occupied or cost space money from outbids, but I was lucky and I saw a free domain top3dshop.ru
    And even if the words “top” and “shop” may seem overused, and naming professionals directly rank them as extremely not recommended, but the name works and does not interfere with the business at all, and quite the opposite, it fully corresponds to its purpose.

    We have begun to actively promote our new platform, and it proves its effectiveness every day.

    Having worked at such an intense pace and realizing that the business was gaining momentum, we went for broke: I quit my job and completely immersed myself in the activities of my company, and the partner invested another two million rubles, which went to organize work in the office and purchase equipment.

    First batch of goods


    The turnover for the first six months of work after my dismissal reached five million rubles a month, and I focused on increasing this figure.

    St. Petersburg office in the first days of its work


    It was not so easy to leave work: salary, stability, social package - all these things were kept firmly on a psychological level. Corporations are very good at brainwashing young professionals, but in fact there is nothing really valuable behind this, except for a stable low salary and a social package, of course, if you are not a top manager.

    After the dismissal, I gained confidence in the correctness of the choice, the constant presence in the office and the opportunity to devote the maximum amount of time to my work helped a lot.

    And again: hiring employees, suppliers, procurement, promotion, constant monitoring of the services we provide and the delivery time of printers, immersion in the intricacies of 3D printing technologies and products - in order to understand the subject and transfer knowledge to employees, and then control their training.

    With cast dummies AK-47

    About investments

    We have grown and developed from our profits. We didn't have the resources to raise funds for a cool office and hire expensive directors. We have clearly outlined the items of expenditure and set limits for ourselves in order to comply with them. This gave me an incentive to upgrade my skills, develop and achieve goals in tough conditions.

    We patiently invested all the profits in turnover and equipment, it came to the point that hired employees received more than me.

    About suppliers

    With suppliers, things were not as easy as one might think. Some already had their own distributors in Russia and wanted to work only with them directly.

    Others demanded that we only sell their brand. I had to negotiate with everyone in order to get the status of an authorized dealer, with many - to conduct long lengthy dialogues by correspondence and come to meetings at their headquarters. Paris, Stuttgart, New York - all these trips were not in vain, they allowed us to become official dealers companies such as MakerBot, 3D Systems, David Vision Systems, Artec 3D and many more.

    These meetings were not always held in an official manner: Bree Pettis, for example, the founder of the MakerBot 3D printer manufacturer, and at the same time a well-known do-it-yourselfer and video blogger, turned out to be quite a friendly guy with whom there is something to talk about and you can hang out cool.

    Bree Pettis DeLorean

    Cooperation with manufacturers directly has paid off: we were able to offer customers competitive prices and maintain the required margin, this has become one of the factors that contributed to the growth of the company. In 2015, turnover increased 6 times compared to 2014.

    Trying to find uniqueness

    Another factor that had no less influence on our growth was the model that was obvious to me, but unique at that time - we sold 3D equipment, serviced it, and provided services related to it: 3D printing, 3D scanning, modeling .

    Later, casting, prototyping, creating molds, milling for metal and plastic were added to the list of services. And we did all this in a focused way, for each type of activity a special department was created with its own specialists, which was responsible precisely for its field of activity.

    Other companies on the market either sold equipment or provided services, and often the same people performed the duties of engineers and managers. Our organizational model proved to be more effective.

    Now

    With the growth of the company, the following truth also became obvious: people and the automation of routine operations are very important for the success of the enterprise.

    We have grown to our own operating and commercial directors, constant work with sales plans and budgeting. Every day we work on automating our business processes.

    Now we have a good team, and also own system training of specialists. We have prepared about 15 courses on products and processes, with mandatory testing. We train people who want to develop and earn. This is very important element success. Especially for companies working in such a new area as additive technologies.

    I am personally responsible for all marketing, development strategy, increasing turnover and capturing new destinations and supervise the quality of training and customer feedback.

    in 2017 we are already more than 40 people. The staff is growing not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively: we help each employee to improve in his field.

    Top 3D Shop team now

    The structure includes several departments: sales, services, logistics, content, accounting and service, as well as managers and tender specialists. Each department has its own grades.

    Since we are a trading and manufacturing company, the salary is built mainly from the bonus part. There are, of course, well-reasoned salaries, but the main income is% of the profits brought.

    A pumped manager, for the second or third month of work, can receive bonuses 3-4 times higher than the salary, close large “long-playing” deals. The average salaries of ordinary employees are 50-120 thousand, depending on the position and results.

    We do not limit the upper bar for managers and give real opportunities for earning, so we have almost no turnover.

    Now we pay special attention to automation. We have implemented and synchronized a huge number of services that help you work faster and more efficiently, get feedback from customers and quickly respond to criticism.

    Our bureaucracy is almost reduced to zero. All the paper that is drawn in the office is a tribute to the letter of the law. Contracts, invoices, acts and so on. All approvals and requests occur only in in electronic format. The speed of decision making and problem resolution is really something we can be proud of.

    Plans

    Last year, we successfully began to explore completely new areas for us: we added CNC machines to additive equipment. This year we will begin to actively move into dental and jewelry equipment, as well as educational robotics.

    Since the format of this presentation is new to us, your opinion is important to us. I would be grateful if you share it in the comments.

    Should you continue to share your experience? What exactly would you like to ask? What organizational details are you interested in?

    We will analyze the responses and answer all interesting questions in a new article.

    Thank you for your attention!

    Do you want more interesting news from the world of 3D technologies?

In the news, we often hear about what complex tasks can be solved with the help of 3D printers. Construction material, various parts for spaceships, living tissues of human organs - and this is not the whole list of three-dimensional objects that can be reproduced using 3D printing. However, there are a number of everyday problems and tasks that are solved with the help of a 3D printer, and that is why for enterprising people, the business idea of ​​a 3D printer can become a source of stable income.

Which printer to buy for business

If you have never worked on high-tech equipment that uses the method of creating objects on a digital three-dimensional model, then you should not rush and immediately buy expensive equipment. Today on the market there are high-quality budget models of Chinese and Russian production, with which you can master the 3d printer as a tool for business.

For small production devices of one of the two following formats will fit:

  • extrusive - deposition modeling (FDM);
  • photopolymerization - laser stereolithography (SLA).

The cost of a budget FDM model of a 3D printer is about 1 thousand US dollars. The kit includes directly the modeling equipment itself and a Russian-language graphic display.

All types of plastic are used for modeling.

This printer can print:

  • prototypes (forms) for industrial production;
  • reduced plastic models of art objects, architectural monuments, etc.;
  • plastic parts for upholstery and equipment for furniture, car interiors;
  • key chains, souvenirs;
  • phone cases;
  • visual teaching material, etc.

The cost of an SLA printer is much higher. Reliable and quality model will cost from 2 thousand US dollars. Only modeling equipment is included in the package.

The advantage of this printer is that it uses photopolymers for modeling, and products made from such materials are widely used in jewelry and dental prosthetics.

With the purchase of a 3d printer on photopolymers, it becomes possible to realize the most diverse, their number is limited only by the imagination of the entrepreneur.

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How much does printing cost

The main costs in the implementation of a business such as printing on a 3D printer are consumables: plastic or photopolymers. Printing an object from a different material by adjusting is not profitable.

The cost of 1 kg of special plastic ranges from 1.3 to 2 thousand rubles. Consumption is calculated based on the fact that 1 g of plastic is spent on 1 cu. see models. Accordingly, up to 100 cubic meters can be made from one reel. see plastic products.

The cost of 1 liter of photopolymer can be from 8 to 12 thousand rubles. Resin consumption depends on printer settings and print quality. Manufacturers claim that the cost of printing one small product, for example, a jewelry ring, will be no more than 15 rubles.

What can you earn

The best 3D printer for small businesses is one that allows you to minimum investment to produce the most demanded goods on the market.

These clients can become the main customers for the production of advertising and souvenir products.

New and fresh ideas for the consumer goods market should be looked for on the pages of popular Chinese online stores. Often the product offered there can be reproduced on a home desktop 3D printer, and this will be the start for more big business.

Stationery, toys, models, construction consumable plastic material, all kinds of coasters and much more - the scope for entrepreneurial imagination is very wide. As ancillary services, you can also offer the decoration of printed products, and in parallel to develop at home.

An interesting story about how the possibilities of 3D printing can be used in business in the following video:

How much can you earn

The amount of revenue from this type of activity depends not so much on which 3D printer you choose for your small business, but on how actively you promote your service.

Most effective method search for customers for 3D printing - the creation and promotion of your own website.

A detailed explanation of the possibilities of 3D printing, a visual demonstration of those products that can be reproduced; real stories prompt assistance using printed products - all this will make customers pay attention to the new kind services and allow you to treat with the necessary confidence in the quality of such products.

Do not forget that 3D printing on Russian market is just beginning its history and the task of today's entrepreneurs is to unleash its full potential.

Printing on a 3D printer is an interesting know-how that, if used correctly, can bring in a solid income. A novice entrepreneur will have to invest a little, and with a quick promotion trading platform revenue will “flow like a river” and there will be no end to buyers. Below is a 3D printing business plan with little investment. The example is suitable for both a small city and a large administrative center.

legal note

The form legal entity: IP.

The main activity: the manufacture of products from polymer plastic and silicone on a 3D printer.

Target users: people of any gender from 15 to 65 years old.

Location: small room in the city center. It is acceptable to place 3D printing directly at home, if it does not embarrass other family members.

The company provides the following types of 3D printing services:

  • Printing covers for mobile phones according to standard and individual designs of the customer - the price is from 600 rubles.
  • Printing personalized gifts - price from 1300 rubles.
  • Silicone mold printing (for ice, chocolate, soap handmade) according to individual projects of the customer - the price is from 550 rubles.
  • Printing interior and decor items from polymer plastic according to individual and standard design - price from 1,200 rubles.
  • Printing figures of heroes of various online games - price from 350 rubles.
  • Production of visual teaching materials- price from 800 rubles.

The cost depends on the size and complexity of the design of the product, as well as the quality of the material. The most inexpensive option for 3D printing using polymer plastic. The main sale will be carried out through the online store. There are various examples on the site. finished products, customers will be able to leave feedback and suggestions. You can place an order directly through the site and receive your product either at the office or with home delivery in the city. The price of delivery in the city is 150 rubles.

Opening hours - Monday to Friday: from 10:00 to 19:00, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00.

Form of taxation: USN 15%.

We draw up documentation

To register a 3D printing business, it is enough to register an individual entrepreneur. For this, the following documents are collected:

  • Application for registration. The document indicates one main activity and two additional ones. The appropriate OKVED code is selected: 18.13 "Manufacturing printed forms". As additional species you can specify any, close in activity.
  • Copy of passport and TIN. Certified by a notary. Price - from 500 rubles.
  • Receipt of payment of the state fee in the bank.

The application will be considered within three days, then the entrepreneur will be issued a certificate of state registration. It is recommended to immediately switch to a simplified taxation system. If you do not do this, you will automatically be placed on the OSNO.

In total, it will take from 1,500 rubles for registration and execution of IP documents.

The material and technical side of the issue

Accommodation

3D printing will be located in the central part of the city, in the checkpoint mall. Bus stops nearby public transport and customers can easily find the office. A small area of ​​10 square meters is required for printing. m.

The area is zoned:

  • Print zone.
  • Area for creating a graphic project on a computer.

The 3D printer can be positioned so that the printing process can be seen by people passing by. This will attract additional customers and interest people. There are also several finished works on display.

material support

To organize the work you will need the following equipment:

3D printer Picaso 3D Designer (1 pc.) - 117,000 rubles.

Bobbins consumable(10 pieces of various colors) - 6,000 rubles.

Computer (1 pc.) - 45,000 rubles.

Software (1 pc.) - 15,000 rubles.

Scanner for 3D (1 pc.) - 150,000 rubles.

Computer chair (1 pc.) - 25,000 rubles.

Computer table (1 pc.) - 12,000 rubles.

Trade stand - 22,000 rubles.

Glass showcase (2 pcs.) - 45,000 rubles.

In total, on average, to launch and organize work, you will need to purchase equipment in the amount of 437,000 rubles.

The main sales will be carried out through the site. For its organization and promotion, you will need about 150,000 rubles. In the future, its support and promotion will require 15,000 rubles per month.

In total, the organization of an Internet site and the launch of a small 3D printing office will need to spend the amount of 602,000 rubles.

Recruitment

Since it is planned to work seven days a week, shift staff is hired. The director will manage the work. The main activity is carried out by a programmer-designer and a master in 3D printing. They will work in shifts, according to the schedule 2/2.

The duties of the designer include working with clients, drawing up individual projects, window dressing.

The print master is responsible for the quality of the equipment, monitors the availability of consumables.

The director is in control. Additionally, an incoming accountant is hired with a salary of 5,000 rubles. His responsibilities include bookkeeping, tax reporting, settlement with employees. The accountant comes every three days from 17:00 to 19:00.

Salary expenses for employees are shown in the table:

In total, employees will need an amount for salaries per month: 160,000 rubles. Except wages for employees, contributions are made to various funds (pension and insurance) in the amount of 76,000 rubles. In total, together with deductions per month, the cost of maintaining the staff is 236,000 rubles.

With all employees is labor contract. The accountant is included in the state part-time. At the end of the year, each employee can count on a bonus, the amount of which is chosen by the 3D printing owner.

Main stages of project implementation

You can launch a 3D printing business plan with calculations in two months. Difficulty will cause a selection quality equipment. You can save money and buy a used printer and scanner, but the quality of the manufactured products will depend on their condition.

Since seasonality does not affect profitability, and revenue depends only on the promotion of the company, the implementation is planned for any months of the year. We propose to open 3D printing in early March, as you can get good revenue in the run-up to the 8th.

Each stage is marked in more detail on specific dates. This will allow you to better control the organization process and make the opening on time.

Investments and income

Starting injections

In order for a 3D printing business to start generating income, the following investments will be needed:

We plan income

On average, the purchase of plastic costs 7 rubles / kg. Sale of finished products, on average, will cost 7,000 rubles / kg. Planned to sell per month finished products in the amount of 570,000 rubles. To find out how much the net profit will be, we do the calculations:

570,000 - 356,000 \u003d 214,000 rubles.

In total, the average profit per year will be 2,568,000 rubles. Of this amount, it is planned to spend part of the funds on opening a second point and purchasing new equipment.

The profitability of the project, on average, will be 24%.

Payback - 1.5 years (if there are regular customers).

Eventually

3D printing is used in various fields of activity: in medicine for the manufacture of prostheses, for the production of souvenirs and decorative products in cooking. The most inexpensive option for beginners is to open 3D printing for making gifts and forms for needlework. To implement the project, it will not take much time, and money - no more than 1,180,500 rubles. The figures are adjusted for each specific region. But thanks to the innovation, 3D printing technology will allow you to quickly unwind and get a good income.