Starting a Business in the 3D printing Industry.

Hi there,

First of all let me briefly introduce myself, I am in my third year of University studying Furniture and Product Design and currently on a 6 month internship in the Netherlands as a Junior Designer. My skills are mainly 3D based; modeling, rendering, problem solving, product development.

Ideally I am looking for some sort of business partner, to set up something in the UK who would be willing to do this with me full time. I am aware that the market is growing very rapidly which is why I would like to get something going as soon as possible. There is also a big shortage of 3D printing shop (Selling printers and Consumables) in the UK with only one in London. Seeing the fascination of my relatives when the printer is running only makes me think that it could work, face to face support would also be a massive advantage which I'm sure we would all of appreciated when stuck on a problem.

I have other plans of expansion, offering services but I'll keep that to myself for now.

I have read a few book about business start-up but I am far from clued on the subject and I more than welcome any constructive criticism.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Ps: My main ambition is to bring 3D printing to the domestic environment.

Edit: Maplin Sold out of 3D printers, selling over 800.

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"The 3D printer market will grow from $288 million in 2012 to more than $5.7 billion by 2017" - Gartner

Surely this has to be the safest industry to be starting up a business in?!

If you think you might be interested, drop me an email; Design@CharlesFried.com

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/21/2014 03:13PM by Charles Fried.

Some advice, drop out of college. You're not going to learn anything useful about 3d printing there. If you wanna start a business, just do it. Don't wait around for a fancy piece of paper to start doing what you wanna do.

research your customer base, and be ready to fall down and get yourself up a few times. the market is similar to the gold rush times, there is gold out there, but are you the one that finds it?

don't forget not to oversell/over promise, that's what killed more than a few places in the reprap world too, know what you can do, and know your limits.

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[mike-mack.blogspot.com]

3D printing Business is now going to a big high of success and to compete it you have to devote a large capital with large inspiration to make valuable place among those industrialist!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2014 01:09AM by jesse.

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Some advice, drop out of college. You're not going to learn anything useful about 3d printing there. If you wanna start a business, just do it. Don't wait around for a fancy piece of paper to start doing what you wanna do.

Sorry, that has to be the worst possible advice.

There was a time when the piece of paper was a nice to have, but experience and ability was worth more.

Now, with many HR departments stuffed with people that know the price of everything and the value of nothing, if you don't have the magical piece of paper, your CV may not get read, even if you are the best person for the job, and there's no telling what you may want or need to do in the rest of your life

By all means start the business, most college courses have plenty of spare time around them, it just means that the time your friend spend socialising and drinking will be the time when you are developing and building your business.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2014 07:11AM by Irish_Steve.

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Shore, if twas easy, we'd all be doin it

Irish Steve

build at least 3 or 4 printer not from a kit, then learn how to print the most complex parts you can find.

Let go of the novelty hype, this tech is no where near ready for your average Joe Public by any means.

If you look at the Cubify Cube, which is suppose to be a consumer level printer, prints like absolute garbage.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2014 11:07AM by Dirty Steve.

My suggestion is to not really bother selling kits, unless you design the printer yourself and it has a distinct advantage over other printers. The market is getting pretty saturated with vendors selling kits/printers.

Since you are studying Furniture/product design, why not just using 3D printing a tool in your designs? Then if it is feasible you can sell design products that are made with a 3D printer, like furniture.

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greghoge.com

HUGE 3D PRINTER PARTS SALE!!!

With regards to colleges, finish. A good college isn't about teaching you technical information. It is about teaching you how to think analytically, problem solve and overcome challenges as well provide you with the fundamental building blocks to serve you in career.

Also I don't know much about your industry as I am an engineer but as someone who has done hiring for several positions here in the states a college diploma is a minimum. Like Irish_Steve said start your buisness planning and development while your in college. You likely have access to resources that would be unavailable after you graduate.

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Check out my blogs: [oc3dprint.blogspot.com] & [forums.reprap.org]
Hit me up if you have any tips or tricks.

I was wondering what the 3D printer repair and maintainence would be and would it be profitable?
Unlike inkjet printers that are throw away without service
a 3D printer is to expensive to throw away and need a lot of care.
Anybody out there doing this?

There is a 3D print store in Burlington, VT [www.blu-bin.com]

This may be a business worth looking into?

My pragmatic $0.02:

Stay in school, become talented in your craft, work for a company and make yourself indispensable through over performance, earn money, have a family and commit to it, enjoy your time on earth.

You owning a business = a business owning you

@ohioplastics You're right I'm not going to learn anything about 3D printing at University but I'm fully aware of that. On the other hand I am very interested in what I am being tough and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

@jamesdanielv Indeed I guess all that will be done for the business plan.

@jesse I find your point a little confusing, could you be a little more precise.

@Irish_Steve Couldn't agree more!

@Dirty Steve I don't think building more printers would be of any benefit. I do agree most printers aren't ready for most people to use but that's where I think a shop would make the difference, it would offer the advice needed to get started.

@gmh39 I would be looking to sell all types of printers from kits to plug and play printers to consumables. "The market is getting pretty saturated with vendors selling kits/printers." Strongly disagree, as far as I'm aware there's only one 3D print shop in London.

@cozmicray I think just like any type of technology, 3d printers are obsolete therefore in most cases they will just be replaced and not repaired."There is a 3D print store in Burlington, VT [www.blu-bin.com]" Thanks for sharing, I'll have a good look at that.

@davew_tx See I've always had a very different approach to yours. If you think you're good enough they why make some else rich?!

I can't recall saying I would leave University but It's something I am willing to put time in on the side. I do strongly believe I would stand a better chance with someone I can bounce ideas with who has a good knowledge of 3D printers.

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Charles Fried
@gmh39 I would be looking to sell all types of printers from kits to plug and play printers to consumables. "The market is getting pretty saturated with vendors selling kits/printers." Strongly disagree, as far as I'm aware there's only one 3D print shop in London.

I was referring to all the online vendors, not so much the brick and mortar stores. I know here in NYC there are a few 3D printing toy stores that have popped up. What I am saying is that you should have a niche in the 3D printing market. Like toys, hobbists (quadcopters, etc.), designers, etc. That way your business does not completely rely on your 3D printer sales and will also attach people who would not typically be interested in owning a 3D printer.

Also, I would suggest not going with a brick and mortar store right out of the gate. There are a lot of expenses involved. It sounds you want to be a local dealer for the big name 3D printer companies?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2014 02:21PM by gmh39.

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greghoge.com

HUGE 3D PRINTER PARTS SALE!!!

@gmh39 "Since you are studying Furniture/product design, why not just using 3D printing a tool in your designs? Then if it is feasible you can sell design products that are made with a 3D printer, like furniture." I am currently using it as a rapid prototyping tool, I just don't see good profit being made selling printed items but more as a service for the design industry like Shapeways is doing very well. Although they still subcontract the printing to other company's so I think there would be a way to squeeze in and get the jobs done for a lower price.

Have you got any idea on how the shop are doing in New York, do they look busy?
I do like your point on the niche market, it just seems tricky to target nonetheless most probably worth it.

I would start with a website but I strongly believe the shop would give the company a face which would be crucial to stand out.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2014 02:38PM by Charles Fried.

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Charles Fried
I am currently using it as a rapid prototyping tool, I just don't see good profit being made selling printed items but more as a service for the design industry like Shapeways is doing very well. Although they still subcontract the printing to other company's so I think there would be a way to squeeze in and get the jobs done for a lower price.

Have you got any idea on how the shop are doing in New York, do they look busy?
I do like your point on the niche market, it just seems tricky to target nonetheless most probably worth it.

I would start with a website but I strongly believe the shop would give the company a face which would be crucial to stand out.

When I said to sell printed Design items, I was referring to things like full size chairs, tables, clocks, etc. Small production, high price. A great example is this chair by Dirk Van Der Kooji:



Who told you Shapeways subcontracts their printing? Last I checked they do almost all of it in house. (I interviewed there recently and got a tour of their NYC production facility.)

Havent actually been to one of the shops here, just came across their website. But it looks like they offer a bunch of 3D printed toys as well as printing services.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2014 03:23PM by gmh39.

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greghoge.com

HUGE 3D PRINTER PARTS SALE!!!

I do understand what you mean and I guess it is feasible.
I've just never really been interested in doing one off pieces, I find it much more exiting to mass produce and sell to as many people as possible.
I met someone last week who had good contact with the CEO, he told me some of it was subcontracted but that was in Eindhoven perhaps it's different at their office in New York.

I'm surprised to hear it's viable to sell printed good with so many injection molded products at such a low price, maybe I should consider it!

Any idea as to what kind of machine was used for that chair?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2014 03:48PM by Charles Fried.

I work as an engineer, without a degree, because I didn't finish. Worst mistake I've ever made! Took me 4 years to find current job. I have four patents on about 20 different products I invented. I've successfully managed a company with 21 employees through the recession in the 80s. I've successfully managed two other companies and done three startups. No degree you just don't get interviews. Funny part was I did get one interview, through a headhunter. Didn't get the job though. They told him they only needed one engineer, not a whole department in one person!

@Dirty Steve I don't think building more printers would be of any benefit. I do agree most printers aren't ready for most people to use but that's where I think a shop would make the difference, it would offer the advice needed to get started.

So you have to independently source parts from all over the world, to fully understand the mechanics and process. There isn't a single printer on the market for Joe Public.

"Seeing the fascination of my relatives when the printer is running only makes me think that it could work".......this is because to most people it is a mysterious novelty. Could your relatives actually sit down with a 3D app, model something unique, then grasp what it takes to actually print it?

From a print shop, how many people would actually understand what they are buying? Or how many 'returns' would you have because what ever you printed snapped in half when they got it home? Printed parts are just no where near the strength and durability of manufactured items.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2014 07:31PM by Dirty Steve.

I do like your point on the niche market, it just seems tricky to target nonetheless most probably worth it.
There are a lot of expenses involved. It sounds you want to be a local dealer for the big name 3D printer companies?
3D printing industries is now going to a big high of success and to compete it you have to devote a large capital with large inspiration to make valuable place among those industrialist!
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@garyhlucas Interesting story seems like a shame that they won't consider anyone with a degree even though the knowledge of practice is there. I have to intention of quitting university but this is something I would like to pursue on the side until I finish.

@Dirty Steve Ok, maybe you are right it's not quiet ready to the general public so I would have to target the niche market. Surely it won't be long until it is at which point I'll be a step ahead ready to take in the sales. I do agree about printed part once again I have no intention to sell them to the general public but only to designers and engineers as prototypes.