I have been playing with 3d printers for years but I am just now starting to do it as a business. This is extremely helpful to me. I love what you are doing.
Great content and really appreciate the deep dive. I just got my farm started and am glad to find content like this at launch. Great advice on managing O&M as well as client expectations. It's clear I still have a lot of work ahead of me as I move from a hobby model to an engineering and design model but am excited to see that space is out there, and there is a demand for it.
All your videos are so value packed and time efficient for someone interested in and wanting to learn about the world of 3D printing. Thank you so much for you work and efforts!
Great info. Perfect if you're providing custom print service. A completely different business model is to invent something or take a commercial license item and print, finish, paint what ever it takes to add value then sell on a site like Etsy. So your model is a reactive service and what I'm talking about is make before a customer requests the product. Both models are great idea that could benefit from the great info so you know you are profitable or going backwards.
been looking at doing the same thing with people paying for the printer's time not the file my only thing i have been trying to figure out is would you still have to get commercial license for something that the buyer is choosing
I'm late watching this since I have been unemployed for 4 months trying for myself. I got ripped off nearly 3x that amount when I made an order for barely 60g of materials without any supports and took 45 minutes to setup. anyway thanks for the template for this, hope to join other makers soon enough.
People, don't call any fee a convenience fee. You can call it a setup fee or production fee, but not a "Convenience Fee" That's not something you want to see as a customer or client. Cheers on the video.
Hi Austen. your videos are quite informative and help me (a beginner) starting a 3D printing service. Thanks for the template it will immensely help me in pricing the job. A computer program will also immensely help. Thank you so much.
Great video but you have the wrong idea at the end here about "asking permission." If a customer brings you a file, a bespoke item from thingiverse or something...you're not obligated to seek permission from the author to print it. You as the shop are not selling the item as a stocked item, you're providing a service for the user. I get where you're coming from, but don't get it twisted for those that are trying to maybe start out in the industry.
Really wish you had elaborated a little on the machine wear (that is what I am trying to estimate) I got the rest figured out but trying to figure how much to charge per printing hour. BTW I wish our electricity was close to yours, I pay $0.37 per kWh
Thanks a lot man this is the only video I have ever watched on CZcams that actually gave me value thanks again! I am in africa looking to start a printing business thanks for this.
Hello from BC and thanks for the spreadsheet it works nicely. I was letting Printoid tell me the cost of the print and then doubling that for a final price, using the spreadsheet just confirmed that my pricing was pretty much spot on however the spreadsheet allows me to do quotes for prices now.
I really appreciate the info. Very helpful! I've been considering starting an Etsy shop for a while. Just curious how you would recommend incorporating the design cost into something you intend to put in your Etsy shop. Let's say it takes you 10 hrs to design and you feel your time is worth $25/hr. That would be $250. Obviously you have no idea how well a design will be received or what sales may come from it but I'm curious if you have any input on how many units you hope to sell just to recoup your design time?
That's just the cost of being in business. You could have one design that took 45 min to make and sells thousands of units and another design that takes 100 hours and sells none. It comes down to the product research and what you're willing to invest/risk time wise!
Yo whats going on brother! I love it when u really get the itch on something in my case ive been so entrigued on what can be done with this technology. I originally went to schoo and got a sought after license to be able to get a job and learn how to maintain repair Aircraft which i did for small civilian operations too military aircraft.. but now im unemployed.. now i could get a job and maybe i will but im about threw working for others..i wanna do my own thing or atleast try.. im a master tinkererr lol and iver the last year i started learning some new skillsets that ive always wanted to have.. i guess where this story is going haha is that ive been just reading over and watching every video on anything 3DP for the last 2 days and no more than an hr ago came across ur page.. Your super motivating and here very very soon i am going to invest in a machine and im super glad i was blessed with ur page.. Hell the 2 videos and your links has helped me more than anything so far .. Keep the info coming ill be watching PEACE BROTHA👊
Hello Thanks a lot for the video and the excel shit Very useful But there are 2 problems 1. cell B31 has an error 2. cell B37 has an error Kindly can you update it or tell us how to fix it Thanks a lot
I ran into that issue as well thinking it was something wrong with spreadsheet since his in the video updates as he goes through. However, he tells you later in the video to click the SUM drop down and start selecting each thing you are using for your job. Like selecting the Prusa, PLA, and shipping or not. 13:40 he is talking about it.
No ty for the information tbh I never knew 3D printing was even in existence till about a year and half ago I have taken to it like fish to water it’s my passion. Nothing in me more would love to have this be my main source of income and even more so personal fulfillment
Austen. I'm brand new to your channel and I'm impressed. Thank you for creating such helpful content and it's obvious you enjoy what you are doing. I'm inspired to try starting a small business FDM printing too. I have only one Ender three and like to keep it running. I'm a retired engineering tech that spent most of my careeer around automation and controls. I also have a year of education focused on 3D modeling and got occsional opportunities to apply what I learned day to day. Frankly I also studied electronics and was more focused in that area. I have done all the useful upgrades to my Ender 3 lol, and being new to the FPV hobby I've had, and continue to have opportunities to design and print parts there. But seeing that I don't like the printer idle I feel a small business with it would be a perfect fit. So I just finished watching your video on generating estimates for the work but my question is how best do I attract those customers or what ways are simplest to generate work to keep productive. Maybe you've already made a video on the subject or could point me in the right direction?
Hey John ! That is fantastic to hear ! And thanks for checking out the videos. It sounds like you're off to a great start. How to attract customers. I have a video coming on this that will be released around August 10th. But in short here it is and it is kind of a progression. 1. Starting small - List your services on local classifieds, facebook marketplace, etc. 2. Find something you are passionate about that has a market - list products for that niche on an existing platform - I highly reccomend etsy.
Recommend ^* 3. Have a business website/portfolio for any industrial / professional clients. Eventually the work will come to you. Obviously that is summarized, but yes I do have a video coming soon on this ! Hopefully within a couple weeks !
Hi Austen! As always really your videos are so informative keep them coming I love it. Can you tell me what Filament brand you buy from? Or recommendation :)
Good form but markup must always be higher than bulk discount or you'll lose money, there maybe a bit of leeway with labour but everything else is an expense , therefore both should be in the same format e.g percentage .
Awesome video! How do you account for prints that require removing of support material or sanding of the parts? That’s one area that I think might be hard to quote beforehand if unsure about how long it would take to remove all the support material on a complicated model
Hey thanks ! I typically try to design everything to print with absolute minimal supports if any at all. With most objects, if you get your support settings right the supports should flick right off and require maybe 1 minute of removal time to clean it up. Also using a heat gun to remove any stringing helps keep things clean. I don't offer any sanding as that would really slow things down, it would also limit the material selection if you had to choose only materials that sand well.
Awesome video. I want to run this as a biz too. For large print, is CR better than Ender 5 Plus? Also, I’m thinking of bulk print, do you recommend going straight to Prussa vs Ender 3?
@@AustenHartley thank you for the reply. I have an Amazon FBA biz and with all the shortage I wanted to see if I can manufacture using 3D printing. Been testing with Ender 5 Plus but the quality would be hard to sell on Amazon. What do you think about the idea as you have been in the 3d printing space for a long time and you have dabble with FBA before? Do you have any recommendations to improve print quality (string, roughness, etc)? Thanks a lot!
@@kbavu25 Amazing ! I actually also do FBA ! The main/only points of concern. 1. Volume - depending what you sell, you know how it goes. But it can be tough to make 100-1000 of something quickly with printing. 2. Amazon Fees. They take their huge chunk, have to triple check your profit margins in relation to print time. To get amz quality products basically you need to be able to print without supports and do it reliably. Prusa is likely the only affordable option in terms of machines that will spit out really good prints at FBA volumes.
@@AustenHartley That is awesome! You do so many things :). - Yea the volume would be a challenge but I'm thinking more lower volume but unique products. U can scale up a bit with more printers. - You don't sell 3D print product on Amazn right? So all things lead to Prusa? Was thinking the Ender 3 and that will be more easily scale up.
I have a pretty maxed out MacBook Pro for SW that runs Windows via boot camp. And for Fusion360 I run it on my Mac Mini M1. Both work perfectly well. Only delays are during rendering, which I don’t often do.
Hey Austen! We just opened up a 3D printing business over a month ago. How can I download and us your template for pricing? This is perfect for us. Is it possible to use it?
Watch to the end and you will see that he doesn’t actually but a sum in that box until he puts in some example numbers. The blue cells are just colour coded manual reminders, for when you calculate the cost.
Top Ender 3 Upgrades !
czcams.com/video/R8CsqU3ijRc/video.html
Hi auste. very good videos with lots of inputs.
what software do you use to make 3d customize images or projects?
I have been playing with 3d printers for years but I am just now starting to do it as a business. This is extremely helpful to me. I love what you are doing.
Thanks Josh ! I have another video coming out tomorrow or the following day showing some cool 3D prints too!
As a new 3D modeling/printing business owner, this has helped immensely. Thank you very much!
thank you !
Same here 👌 stumbled across your video and it helped me get enough money to pay off my student debt and other expenses 😀
Thanks so much! I'm a college kid halfway through my M.E. degree looking for some real experience with CAD, business, and manufacturing
Great content and really appreciate the deep dive. I just got my farm started and am glad to find content like this at launch. Great advice on managing O&M as well as client expectations. It's clear I still have a lot of work ahead of me as I move from a hobby model to an engineering and design model but am excited to see that space is out there, and there is a demand for it.
All your videos are so value packed and time efficient for someone interested in and wanting to learn about the world of 3D printing. Thank you so much for you work and efforts!
Thanks for the awesome tutorial, I would not have thought to add a machine cost/wear fee. Totally makes sense. I am a fellow Albertian, Alberta proud!
Thank you! I am adding SLA to the sheet so I appreciated the information on how to do that.
Great info. Perfect if you're providing custom print service. A completely different business model is to invent something or take a commercial license item and print, finish, paint what ever it takes to add value then sell on a site like Etsy. So your model is a reactive service and what I'm talking about is make before a customer requests the product. Both models are great idea that could benefit from the great info so you know you are profitable or going backwards.
been looking at doing the same thing with people paying for the printer's time not the file my only thing i have been trying to figure out is would you still have to get commercial license for something that the buyer is choosing
I'm late watching this since I have been unemployed for 4 months trying for myself.
I got ripped off nearly 3x that amount when I made an order for barely 60g of materials without any supports and took 45 minutes to setup.
anyway thanks for the template for this, hope to join other makers soon enough.
People, don't call any fee a convenience fee. You can call it a setup fee or production fee, but not a "Convenience Fee" That's not something you want to see as a customer or client. Cheers on the video.
I'm soooo speechless!!! Thank you so much you did an incredible job on the video.
Cool video, im actually starting to code a calculator for this lol edit: lol probably shoulda waited til the end to comment this xD
Very much appreciate the videos. This tour of stuff is just what I was looking for. Invaluable information!
Sincere thanks for all the valuable information, I really appreciate it. ...
Im getting a few errors when i try to use the sheet notable #value and #NA
Hi Austen. your videos are quite informative and help me (a beginner) starting a 3D printing service. Thanks for the template it will immensely help me in pricing the job. A computer program will also immensely help. Thank you so much.
Great video. Even though I only print for myself I really like seeing all of the cost factors laid-out like this. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your Knowledge!!
Thank you so much for this great video an the file 🙏🏻👍🏻🤜🏻
Thank you, this info helped a lot
Great video but you have the wrong idea at the end here about "asking permission." If a customer brings you a file, a bespoke item from thingiverse or something...you're not obligated to seek permission from the author to print it. You as the shop are not selling the item as a stocked item, you're providing a service for the user. I get where you're coming from, but don't get it twisted for those that are trying to maybe start out in the industry.
great content many thanks
Thank you man, that's was very helpfull
Really wish you had elaborated a little on the machine wear (that is what I am trying to estimate) I got the rest figured out but trying to figure how much to charge per printing hour. BTW I wish our electricity was close to yours, I pay $0.37 per kWh
Thanks a lot man this is the only video I have ever watched on CZcams that actually gave me value thanks again! I am in africa looking to start a printing business thanks for this.
appreciate it ! Good luck with the business !
This is awesome man. I bought my first printer earlier this year and love it. I would love to be able to make this full time.
I plan weighing my prints.. if one roll of P.L.A. cost 20 dollors at 2 pounds... what do you suggest i should charge per pound ?
This is a good video bud
This was exactly what is was looking for. As I got my CR30 2 days ago. You ROCK
Cost + margin is a great way to short change your self. What value does the print provide the customer? Find that out before doing anything else.
Hey Austen, thank you so much for putting out these amazing insights! Always look forward to them (:
Hello from BC and thanks for the spreadsheet it works nicely. I was letting Printoid tell me the cost of the print and then doubling that for a final price, using the spreadsheet just confirmed that my pricing was pretty much spot on however the spreadsheet allows me to do quotes for prices now.
Happy to help !
Awesome video
Thank you for this information. I have been in business a few months and this has helped me price my prints.
Awesome to hear ! Thanks James !
I really appreciate the info. Very helpful! I've been considering starting an Etsy shop for a while. Just curious how you would recommend incorporating the design cost into something you intend to put in your Etsy shop. Let's say it takes you 10 hrs to design and you feel your time is worth $25/hr. That would be $250. Obviously you have no idea how well a design will be received or what sales may come from it but I'm curious if you have any input on how many units you hope to sell just to recoup your design time?
That's just the cost of being in business. You could have one design that took 45 min to make and sells thousands of units and another design that takes 100 hours and sells none. It comes down to the product research and what you're willing to invest/risk time wise!
And deserves a subcribe
Seen a few of your videos, they are great. Amazing quality and very informative. Keep it up.
Thanks Kasper !
Thanks Austen, i have been printing and playing with Inventor for 8 months. I am ready to start shipping a few items.
Hey Austen, thanks a lot for this video! It was very elucidative for someone trying to build up a small 3D company! Keep up the great work!
Hey Ricardo, thanks for checking it out and the kind words ! Lots of good ones coming up soon !
Cheers !
Thanks for this video Austin, extremely helpful
whereabouts in Canada are you?
Yo whats going on brother! I love it when u really get the itch on something in my case ive been so entrigued on what can be done with this technology. I originally went to schoo and got a sought after license to be able to get a job and learn how to maintain repair Aircraft which i did for small civilian operations too military aircraft.. but now im unemployed.. now i could get a job and maybe i will but im about threw working for others..i wanna do my own thing or atleast try.. im a master tinkererr lol and iver the last year i started learning some new skillsets that ive always wanted to have.. i guess where this story is going haha is that ive been just reading over and watching every video on anything 3DP for the last 2 days and no more than an hr ago came across ur page.. Your super motivating and here very very soon i am going to invest in a machine and im super glad i was blessed with ur page.. Hell the 2 videos and your links has helped me more than anything so far .. Keep the info coming ill be watching PEACE BROTHA👊
Appreciate it! Lots more practical stuff coming soon !
All the best,
Hello
Thanks a lot for the video and the excel shit
Very useful
But there are 2 problems
1. cell B31 has an error
2. cell B37 has an error
Kindly can you update it or tell us how to fix it
Thanks a lot
I ran into that issue as well thinking it was something wrong with spreadsheet since his in the video updates as he goes through. However, he tells you later in the video to click the SUM drop down and start selecting each thing you are using for your job. Like selecting the Prusa, PLA, and shipping or not. 13:40 he is talking about it.
Thanks for your advice and your pricing template, will work through it and re-value to suit :D
Thanks for the template, top notch video!
Thanks Austen for this great info. I am buying my first printer and this idiot is a big help.
You deserve more subs man. Appreciate the vids!
Appreciate you !
Great knowledge buddy. Glad I found your channel
Thanks so much !
Wonderful man I was waiting for this vid ty very much
Thanks for watching Edwin !
No ty for the information tbh I never knew 3D printing was even in existence till about a year and half ago I have taken to it like fish to water it’s my passion. Nothing in me more would love to have this be my main source of income and even more so personal fulfillment
@@edwinirizarry9277 Absolutely ! There has never been a better time, keep working away at it and let me know if you have any questions !
Thank you, grate job!
Austen. I'm brand new to your channel and I'm impressed. Thank you for creating such helpful content and it's obvious you enjoy what you are doing. I'm inspired to try starting a small business FDM printing too. I have only one Ender three and like to keep it running. I'm a retired engineering tech that spent most of my careeer around automation and controls. I also have a year of education focused on 3D modeling and got occsional opportunities to apply what I learned day to day. Frankly I also studied electronics and was more focused in that area. I have done all the useful upgrades to my Ender 3 lol, and being new to the FPV hobby I've had, and continue to have opportunities to design and print parts there. But seeing that I don't like the printer idle I feel a small business with it would be a perfect fit. So I just finished watching your video on generating estimates for the work but my question is how best do I attract those customers or what ways are simplest to generate work to keep productive. Maybe you've already made a video on the subject or could point me in the right direction?
Hey John !
That is fantastic to hear ! And thanks for checking out the videos. It sounds like you're off to a great start.
How to attract customers. I have a video coming on this that will be released around August 10th. But in short here it is and it is kind of a progression.
1. Starting small - List your services on local classifieds, facebook marketplace, etc.
2. Find something you are passionate about that has a market - list products for that niche on an existing platform - I highly reccomend etsy.
Recommend ^*
3. Have a business website/portfolio for any industrial / professional clients.
Eventually the work will come to you.
Obviously that is summarized, but yes I do have a video coming soon on this ! Hopefully within a couple weeks !
Will this work for resin printers
Hi Austen! As always really your videos are so informative keep them coming I love it.
Can you tell me what Filament brand you buy from? Or recommendation :)
Hey thank you !
I use these guys here - bit.ly/3vh6eyH
Price and quality is the best. You have to order a few rolls to get the free shipping though.
@@AustenHartley thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for vid and template . You content deserve more, is there a way to support your channel like patteron or something?
Thank you for the kind words !! No Patreon or anything like that at this time. Just my free courses that help grow the channel !
All the best Jassim !
Hi. very good videos with lots of inputs.
what software do you use to make 3d customize images or projects?
What about tax?
Good form but markup must always be higher than bulk discount or you'll lose money, there maybe a bit of leeway with labour but everything else is an expense , therefore both should be in the same format e.g percentage .
Awesome video! How do you account for prints that require removing of support material or sanding of the parts? That’s one area that I think might be hard to quote beforehand if unsure about how long it would take to remove all the support material on a complicated model
Hey thanks ! I typically try to design everything to print with absolute minimal supports if any at all. With most objects, if you get your support settings right the supports should flick right off and require maybe 1 minute of removal time to clean it up. Also using a heat gun to remove any stringing helps keep things clean.
I don't offer any sanding as that would really slow things down, it would also limit the material selection if you had to choose only materials that sand well.
@@AustenHartley makes sense, thanks for the quick reply!
Those shipping costs look amazing for Canada, what service are you using?
i needed this video wooooo
Dose it cost money to 3D Print Stuff?
no, if you concentrate really hard, it will happen on his own
Hi, what function in excel did you use to determine the material weight cost for each of the filaments?
Cura has an excellent tool for telling you how much the filament will cost for a print.
Yes, all the slicing programs do.
@@AustenHartley didnt know that, Ive only really used the one.
Awesome video. I want to run this as a biz too.
For large print, is CR better than Ender 5 Plus?
Also, I’m thinking of bulk print, do you recommend going straight to Prussa vs Ender 3?
Large Print - I prefer CR10's
If you have the money for it, 100% straight to Prusa
@@AustenHartley Thanks!
@@AustenHartley thank you for the reply. I have an Amazon FBA biz and with all the shortage I wanted to see if I can manufacture using 3D printing. Been testing with Ender 5 Plus but the quality would be hard to sell on Amazon. What do you think about the idea as you have been in the 3d printing space for a long time and you have dabble with FBA before?
Do you have any recommendations to improve print quality (string, roughness, etc)?
Thanks a lot!
@@kbavu25 Amazing ! I actually also do FBA ! The main/only points of concern.
1. Volume - depending what you sell, you know how it goes. But it can be tough to make 100-1000 of something quickly with printing.
2. Amazon Fees. They take their huge chunk, have to triple check your profit margins in relation to print time.
To get amz quality products basically you need to be able to print without supports and do it reliably. Prusa is likely the only affordable option in terms of machines that will spit out really good prints at FBA volumes.
@@AustenHartley That is awesome! You do so many things :).
- Yea the volume would be a challenge but I'm thinking more lower volume but unique products. U can scale up a bit with more printers.
- You don't sell 3D print product on Amazn right?
So all things lead to Prusa? Was thinking the Ender 3 and that will be more easily scale up.
What's your CAD rig? Can you run SW alright on your laptop or do you have a dedicated desktop?
I have a pretty maxed out MacBook Pro for SW that runs Windows via boot camp.
And for Fusion360 I run it on my Mac Mini M1. Both work perfectly well. Only delays are during rendering, which I don’t often do.
Hey Austen! We just opened up a 3D printing business over a month ago. How can I download and us your template for pricing? This is perfect for us. Is it possible to use it?
Of course. Just click the link in the description and download the excel sheet!
Hello. How do i get the link to download the excel spread sheet?
not that hard to calculate tbh
Did this guy print his hair?
Cell B37, not giving me a total..says "#VALUE"
did you solve it ?
You would have to divide the design costs with the number of parts your printing.
But..... the "total cost" is not accurate lol , add up the blue boxes, its way above 7
Watch to the end and you will see that he doesn’t actually but a sum in that box until he puts in some example numbers. The blue cells are just colour coded manual reminders, for when you calculate the cost.
I think the calculator is broken. The "Total Cost" is empty
Hey, thanks for the sheet! Your links aren't working.
Which links ?! They appear to be working for me.
PRUSHHHA
yeah dont care