If you’re interested in starting a 3D printing design company, read this article for a comprehensive overview of everything from startup costs to marketing.
According to a recent report from Statista, 3D printing is predicted to reach $21 billion by the year 2021.
The growing popularity of 3D printing stems from its use across various industries including architecture, aerospace, automotive manufacturing, healthcare, and consumer goods.
Countries like China and Japan offer a large market opportunity to be tapped into.
Here are the 10 Steps to Start 3D Printing Design Business
1. Get Trained
You should take a course in 3D modeling if you want to learn how to create realistic models. Otherwise, you may end up creating an unrealistic object that doesn’t resemble what you had imagined.
A 3D printer can help you make a prototype of any design you come up with. Once you’ve made a prototype, you’ll know whether or not you’re on the right track.
2. Understand the Market
When beginning any new venture, it is essential to determine what kind of market exists for your services. You should conduct thorough market research and learn about the current market needs before creating a business plan.
In order to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace, you must stay abreast of industry developments and trends. For instance, if you are planning a new restaurant, it would be wise to check out the local competition and see how they are doing.
3. Select your 3D Printing Design Niche Services
Now is the time for you to decide which 3D printing services you’re going to provide to your clients based on the results of the marketing research.
For example, if you plan to sell 3D printed objects, you might want to start by offering 3D customizations of existing items; if you plan to design new items, you could start by selling prototypes; if you plan to scan people’s faces, you might want to first focus on scanning children; and so on.
4. Write a Business Plan
A good way to start a 3D printing company is by creating a detailed written document detailing everything from the startup costs to the equipment required, and the marketing plans.
5. Name your Business
You should choose a catchy, relatable, and easy-to-memorize business title. Before deciding on the title of your company, be sure to see if the corresponding web domain is available.
Read more about naming your business here.
6. What are the Costs Involved in 3D Printing Design Business
It’s easy to get started with 3D printers. All you need is a computer with 3D modeling software and a printer.
You should consider purchasing a 3D printer before investing in any of these services. A 3D printer allows you to make your own designs and then print them out. While this may sound expensive, they are becoming cheaper every day. Some people also choose to buy pre-made objects instead of designing their own.
It usually takes between $1,500 and $10,000 to start up a 3D printing design company. The initial investment includes rent (free if operating from home), a 3D printer, legal fees, and other miscellaneous expenditures.
7. Set Pricing
The prices for the items are determined by a number of factors including the size of the item, the type of material used, the quality of the product, and the quantity ordered. Some companies offer free estimates for custom work.
8. Form a Legal Entity
It is important to form a legal entity when running a 3D print business. If you’re just trying out 3D printing for fun, consider forming a proprietorship company; however, if you plan to make it big, form an LLC.
9. Get the Required Licenses
Contact the relevant authorities and register your company. You may also want to open a bank account and set up the accounting procedures.
10. Promote Your 3D Printing Business
Today, having a website for your 3D printing design company is a must. It lets you inform potential clients about your service, and your client testimonials, and help you build a reputation for your business.
You can start building an audience for your own blog right away. And once you get started, you’ll see that writing about what you know best (and feel passionate about) will reap huge rewards in the form of targeted traffic through organic search.
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