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3D Printing Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

3D Printing Business Plan

3D Printing Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 2,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their 3D printing businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a 3D printing business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

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What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your 3D printing business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a 3D printing business, or grow your existing 3D printing business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your 3D printing business in order to improve your chances of success. Your 3D printing business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for 3D Printing Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a 3D printing business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.

Personal savings is the other most common form of funding for a 3D printing business. Venture capitalists will usually not fund a 3D printing business. They might consider funding a 3D printing business with a national presence, but never an individual location. This is because most venture capitalists are looking for millions of dollars in return when they make an investment, and an individual location could never achieve such results.  With that said, personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for 3D printing businesses.

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How to write a business plan for a 3d printing company.

If you want to start a 3D printing business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are links to each section of your 3D printing business plan template:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of 3D printing business you are operating and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a 3D printing business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of 3D printing businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the 3D printing industry. Discuss the type of 3D printing business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of 3D printing business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of 3D printing businesses:

  • Rapid Prototype Printer : this type of 3D printing business focuses on quickly printing prototypes for companies or individuals that are designing new products.
  • Aerospace, Automotive and Railway Printer: this type of business focuses on manufacturing mechanical pieces used in constructing airplanes, cars, trucks and trains.
  • Consumer Products Printer: this type of 3D printing focuses on producing consumer goods such as footwear, eyewear and jewelry.

In addition to explaining the type of 3D printing business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

  • When and why did you start the business?
  • What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, number of positive reviews, number of corporate clients, etc.
  • Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the 3D printing industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the 3D printing industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your 3D printing business plan:

  • How big is the 3D printing industry (in dollars)?
  • Is the market declining or increasing?
  • Who are the key competitors in the market?
  • Who are the key suppliers in the market?
  • What trends are affecting the industry?
  • What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
  • What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your 3D printing business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your 3D printing business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: fashion designers, medical device engineers, and car manufacturers.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of 3D printing business you operate. Clearly, fashion designers would respond to different marketing promotions than car manufacturers, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most 3D printing businesses primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other 3D printing businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes design services, engineering services and manufacturing services. You need to mention such competition as well.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other 3D printing businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be 3D printers located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

  • What types of customers do they serve?
  • What types of materials do they provide 3D printing services for?
  • What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
  • What are they good at?
  • What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

  • Will you provide higher quality printing or faster turnaround times?
  • Will you provide services that your competitors don’t offer?
  • Will you provide better customer service?
  • Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a 3D printing business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of 3D printing company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to 3D printing, will you provide design services, shipping services or other engineering services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your 3D printing company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your 3D printing business located in a busy retail district, business park, industrial district, etc. Discuss how your location might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your 3D printing marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

  • Advertising in local papers and magazines
  • Reaching out to local websites
  • Social media marketing
  • Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your 3D printing business, including quoting printing projects, reviewing designs with an engineering team, programming the printer to complete the design, fulfilling production quota and delivering product to the client.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to print your 100th design, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your 3D printing business to a larger facility.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your 3D printing business’ ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing 3D printing businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing 3D printing, other engineering services, or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you print three new designs per day or fulfill 30 shipments per quarter? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your 3D printing business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a 3D printing business:

  • Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
  • Cost of equipment and supplies
  • Payroll or salaries paid to staff
  • Business insurance
  • Taxes and permits
  • Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or blueprints of designs you are working on.  

Putting together a business plan for your 3D printing business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the 3D printing industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful 3D printing business.  

3D Printing Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my 3d printing business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete your 3D Printing Business Plan.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of 3D printing business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a 3D printing business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of 3D printing businesses?

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Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.

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3DSourced

How To Start a 3D Printing Business & Which Sector To Choose

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Written by: 3DSourced

February 20, 2024

Key Takeaways

  • Know your 3D printing : Learn the basics of 3D printing technology, software, and materials.
  • Create a business plan : Define your niche, target market, budget, revenue goals, and marketing strategy.
  • Choose your 3D printer and supplies : Pick the best 3D printer for your needs, based on the type, quality, and cost of printing you want to offer.
  • Sell your products or services : Decide whether you want to sell 3D printed items, 3D designs, 3D printing on demand, or 3D printing repair and maintenance. Find the best platform or channel to reach your customers.

In just a few short years, 3D printing has gone from “what’s that?” to “how can I get in on this?”

Why? Here are some key stats :

  • The 3D printing market is predicted to grow 30% per year to 2026 .
  • There are over 422,000 working 3D printers in the USA .
  • The USA, UK, France, Germany & China are all heavily adopting 3D printing.

Continuing to explode in popularity for both hobbyists and industrial uses, budding entrepreneurs are looking for opportunities to start a 3D printing business. But what opportunities are there?

Honestly, there are so many industries being shaken up by 3D printing — medical, hearing aids , dental, metal part production, spacecraft , even food — that listing every potential use would take too long.

Some have already taken areas of 3D printing and made themselves synonymous with the sector. Wiivv and 3D printed custom sandals, Relativity Space and 3D printed rockets , and Sonova and 3D printed hearing aids. What will your 3D printing business be known for?

This article focuses on how to start a 3D printing business, which 3D printing businesses you could start, and what you need to be able to start and be successful in the 3D printing industry.

How to start a 3D printing business

Naturally, to start a 3D printing business you need to know everything there is to know about 3D printing. You’ll need to know your 3D printer — and the technology that powers it — in and out.  

  • You can view all our 3D printing technologies guides here

Write your 3D printing business plan

Now you need to create a business plan. Though you feel you already know exactly what you need to do, it’s always best to get your thoughts down in writing, as well as any predictions around revenues, sales, and the amount you’re prepared to invest.

When writing this, think of what you will need to spend money on: potentially renting a location, buying new equipment, hiring or training people — and do you have any guaranteed income you can factor in, or are you starting from zero?

3d printing business plan

It’s very likely your 3D printing business plan will change dramatically as your business adapts and changes — and that’s fine! — but a business plan will get your future and present ideas down on paper. If you’re planning on lending money from a bank or other institution, a business plan is crucial.

Buying your equipment

If you haven’t chosen which 3D printer (or 3D printers if you’re planning on multiple), you’ll need to choose carefully based on what you plan to print, or what services you plan on offering. Prototypes are often made using SLS 3D printers , as well as MJF, PolyJet, FDM, and more.

3d printing business plan template

For deciding which to buy, you can check out our guide to every type of 3D printer .

If you know what type of 3D printer you’re planning on using, but aren’t sure on which printer, you can check out our buyer’s guides:

  • Our buyer’s guide for the best FDM 3D printers
  • Buyer’s guide for the best resin 3D printers
  • The best SLS 3D printers
  • Our metal 3D printer buyer’s guide
  • The best 3D printers for small businesses

3D printers don’t run themselves, so you’ll need to make sure you have the right software, including a 3D slicer such as Cura , and if you’re designing your own models, a 3D modeling software tool . If you’re managing multiple 3D printers, you may want to invest in software to manage them more easily.

For FDM 3D printing you’ll need a steady supply of filament in every material and color range you plan to offer. For more industrial printing you may want to offer Polycarbonate , HIPS , PEEK , Nylon and ASA , but for more standard jobs you may just need PETG , ABS and PLA . The same goes for resins for resin 3D printing for any planned uses, including castable for jewelry molds, and any powders for SLS.

running a 3d printing business with multiple printers

Running costs & marketing costs

As well as this, you’ll need to factor in costs for replacing any parts of your 3D printer that wear out, such as nozzles , resin vats and so on. Electricity isn’t free , but shouldn’t be a major cost.  

If you’re planning on launching your own website or webstore, you’ll need to decide how you’ll accept payments, which cart software to use such as Shopify, or Woocommerce on WordPress, and which hosting provider to use.

For marketing, you can opt for social media ads across Facebook, Instagram, or PPC ads on Google for a quick buzz. You can also try to capture people’s attention through generally interesting social media content, such as showing your factory in action, some of the cool things you’ve 3D printed , or vlogging yourself at work. For industrial B2B clients, LinkedIn and direct outreach may be better options.

Where to sell your products

If you’re planning to sell your models on existing platforms like Etsy, Amazon or eBay, you’ll need to decide your plans for those. Or, you may decide to niche down and sell on specialized 3D model platforms. If you’re planning on acting as a service, signing up to Treatstock or Makexyz can save you marketing time and pair you directly with clients.

treatstock 3d printing marketplace

3D Printing Business Ideas: Which 3D printing business should I start?

A true visionary may want to create an entirely new category, like 3D printed rockets, pizza or hearing aids. Nevertheless, here are some tried and tested existing 3D printing business models:

Printing on demand

3d printed soccer ball model

Do you already own a 3D printer? This is the easiest way to make money from 3D printing.

The business model is simple: you offer to print someone else’s 3D file. The only problem with this 3D printing business plan is that it’s already getting quite competitive, and your service is easily seen as a commodity. Fortunately, we’ve listed some tips for making it in printing on demand.

Sign up on one of the major 3D printing service marketplaces , or sell your service to individual companies outside of a marketplace.

  • Establish yourself in a niche market – B2C

Instead of trying to please everyone, you need to find a tribe of loyal customers who see you as their trusted vendor. To find your ideal niche, do some market research by Googling your market, checking sites like Quora and Reddit, and reading blog posts.

Start on a marketplace and then expand beyond it when you have some experience and know which customers you want to attract.

Many creatives, nerds and designers just want their design, such as favorite D&D model or character, in front of them, right now — and they don’t want to buy an entire 3D printer just to print it. Instead, they’ll find someone to do the odd job for them here and there.

Starting a 3D printing business printing consumer models requires less start-up investment, less expensive filaments or resins, and perhaps slightly lower accuracy and precision requirements. More affordable desktop 3D printers will work here, so you could potentially get started as a 3D printing business for just a few hundred dollars with an Ender 3 or Prusa 3D printer .

That isn’t to say there aren’t jobs for individuals that require more industrial 3D printers . Classic car fans looking to get a car part 3D printed will require perfect accuracy and a tough material used, with the crisp surface finish only accessible on higher end machines. But for most consumer jobs, less professional 3D printers should suffice.

There are even marketplaces for local 3D printer service businesses that’ll help you find customers. Treatstock, for example, puts you in contact instantly with thousands of local 3D printer businesses to have your parts printed for you in a variety of different materials.

By becoming a vendor, you potentially skip the expensive marketing costs associated with drumming up business at the beginning of your 3D printing business journey. There are other similar sites to Treatstock like makexyz, but 3D Hubs no longer allow individuals to sign up and offer their printing services.

  • Offer your service to B2B customers

Alternatively, you can offer your services directly to B2B customers. Typically, these customers tend to have deeper pockets, a more consistent need for 3D printing services, and they tend to place larger orders.

Start on a marketplace and as you grow, transition to your own brand or site. A successful business that uses this business model is  Stratasys , a company that’s active in the engineering, manufacturing, production, and prototyping industries.

Again you’ll want to establish a niche, I see far too many home-based 3D printing businesses try to appeal to everyone doing everything just to make money 3D printing. To really get penetration in the market in a sea of ‘me too’ businesses and franchises -you’ve got to target, accurately.

In B2B — business to business — 3D printing businesses make prototypes and other parts for companies that want to test them. This could be for shape and aesthetics, or functional testing based on how it holds up in certain situations.

Common client needs include architectural and interior design models (a huge advantage if you can print multiple colors, such as by using a Palette ), sunglasses and other fashion prototypes, engineering prototypes, resin, ceramic or metal prototypes for various industries, and medical parts, including orthotics, prosthetics and medical implants.

3d printing industrial b2b parts

Your ability to run this kind of 3D printing business really depends on the 3D printers you have. With massively growing demand for metal 3D printing — predicted to grow to a $11 billion industry by 2024 — metal additive manufacturing for automotive, space, medical and other uses is a great area to launch.

However, metal 3D printers cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in most cases, so this is not a venture for anyone looking to get in cheap and make some beer money.

Standard affordable 3D printers may not offer the level of precision companies expect when they hire your 3D printing business to print parts and prototypes for them. And many companies may be looking for more expensive types of 3D printing for their parts, such as SLS 3D printers or even PolyJet .

Overall, if you’re planning on starting a B2B 3D printing business acting as a 3D printing services for industrial clients, you’ll probably need a large investment to start with. For marketing, social media and more hobbyist forms of marketing won’t work as well, so you’ll need to either harness PPC ads or grow your network within the industry to find contacts looking to get manufacturing done. But, with this big risk comes the potential for big reward.

Open up your own 3D printing e-commerce store

3d printing business plan template

[Source:  AudioQuest ]

3D printing is already disrupting the manufacturing industry. That’s why now is the time to set up an e-commerce shop where you sell products that you design and print. 3D printing makes the whole process flexible and cheap. If you’re wanting to know how to make money with a 3D printer, this is one of our favorite 3D printing startup ideas. 

Before actually going all-in starting a 3d printer business, you could validate your idea by using crowdfunding sites like  Kickstarter  and  Indiegogo . You can sell your products by building a shop on  Shopify  and on  Amazon , NotOnTheHighStreet.com and Etsy.

  • Jewelry, home furnishing, decorations and fashion

The design industry is the perfect industry if you want to open an e-commerce shop. There are lots of options here; jewelry, home furnishing, decorations and fashion. If you want to start small, Etsy is the perfect platform, because its customers crave individualized design.  NomaniFOLD  sells 3D printed jewelry and is a pioneer in this industry.

  • Monthly subscription box

Monthly subscription boxes are insanely popular. Some of them are something of a trend, but others are a convenient way for people to get products delivered to them. But what if you could use this idea to 3D print monthly items that people need and want as a recurring service? For example, deliver toys or pet or baby products on a monthly basis.

  • Events  

The event industry is massive. There’s everything from weddings, birthdays, graduation parties to company events and conferences. Tap into this market by printing event decorations and other products.

  • Other products

With the ideas above, we’re just scratching the surface. There are so many 3D printing business opportunities you can explore!

Customized products

3d printing business plan template

[Source:  Open Bionics ]

3D printing is changing the way we do business. No wonder; one of the main advantages of 3D printing is that it enables us to mass-customize products. Why not start a shop that’s all about customization? The possibilities for making money with 3D printing business opportunities are endless and this is an area with significant growth potential.

Use Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Etsy, Amazon, Ebay and Shopify to sell items.

You’ll need to price your models based on the amount of filament or resin they use, as well as the time value of your 3D printer’s time. In addition, since you’ve created real tangible models, posting them to your customers will cost money, too. This can vary wildly depending on whether your customer is in your city, or if they’re half way across the globe.

It’s safest to use your own files, as many models from free STL file sites may not authorize you to commercialize them. If you want to add even more value, you could even paint your models, making them stand out and letting you charge higher prices.

You’ll need to think about marketing for this type of 3D printing business. People are unlikely to just find your 3D printing shop unless you’re savvy about getting your name out there: either on social media, or by paid ads such as PPC on Google or Facebook ads. You’ll need to continually optimize any paid ads to make sure you’re selling enough products to make the ads profitable, and keep a beady eye on the data.

If successful however, it’s one of the most rewarding and independent ways to make it as a 3D printing business.

  • Customized products  

There are no limitations here… mobile cases and covers, special parts that enable you to use items in different ways (e.g. toys), jewelry and so forth. For example, check out  Lantos Technologies , a company that prints customized in-ear products.

These 3D printed toys and similar models are always popular, and there will always be a demand for 3D character prints of peoples’ favorite video game or movie characters, musicians, actors and more. Cosplayers are always looking for new elements to use, too.

selling your 3d printed designs or characters

If you’re a good 3D designer — and if you want to learn, check out our ranking of the best free 3D modeling software tools for beginners — you can design your own creations harnessing your boundless creativity and signature style, or just create 3D models based on real people or things. You can then either sell these models and send them fully printed, or sell the STL file and let them print their own.

  • Customized collectibles and figures

Fans LOVE customized collectibles and figures of their favorite athletes, artists and gamer avatars. Just make sure to check all licenses if you want to use this for your business. On the other hand, there’s a market for customized figures of people themselves, e.g. a figure of someone posing in his or her sports gear or their own gamer avatar.

For example,  CoKreeate  is a company that has successfully established itself in this market. Want to learn more about how to set up your own shop?  Here’s a story  that might inspire you.

Selling small items like this could be much easier if you’re wanting to set up a home-based 3D printing business. Lower storage and shipping costs for your home-factory business.

Read more: the best 3D printers for D&D miniatures

  • Prosthetics

Prosthetics are expensive and difficult to manufacture. 3D printing is solving several problems in this industry. It makes prosthetics better, more customized and more affordable. Additionally, 3D printing is making it easier to manufacture wheelchairs and other support tools. Some companies that are producing prosthetics and support tools are  e-Nable  and  Open Bionics.

Read more: our feature story on 3D printed prosthetics

  • Customized clothes

Typically, clothes are a mass market product. When you walk down the street, you’ll probably meet someone wearing the same item from the same chain. But thanks to 3D printing, it doesn’t have to be this way. 3D printing makes it easy to customize clothing. For example, a popular item that could be 3D printed and mass-customized are clog like foam shoes. One of the advantages of these shoes is that the foam forms itself to your feet. 3D printing enables you to improve this product.

Want to check out some successful companies in this space?  Kinematics dress  and  Continuum Fashion  are some of the companies that are already selling customized clothes and fashion related accessories. 

Read more: how 3D printed clothing is changing the world

Read more: 3D printed fashion: the latest trend

  • Customized sports and hobby products

People spend a lot of money on sports and hobbies, and this is the perfect market for customized items. For example, you could sell customized tennis racket covers to teams or customized fishing and golfing gear .

Read more: our feature story on 3D printed shoes and sneakers

  • Customized gifts

The best gifts are personal. The problem is that most customized gifts are expensive because they cost so much to manufacture. That’s why 3D printed customized gifts are the best choice; 3D printed customized gifts are affordable and flexible to print.

Read more: 3D printed gifts you can download and print today

  • 3D printed photographs  

People love storing memories of their loved ones. A great idea for a 3D printing business is to create 3D printed family photographs. Many would love the possibility to store a model of their child, grandparent, pet or even a model of their house.

  • Customized baby products

Naturally, most parents want the best for their babies and babies need different tools that fit them. By starting a business that customizes baby products, you tap into this lucrative market. Some of the companies that have noticed this are  Spuni , a company that prints spoons, and  Technologia Humana 3D , a company that prints 3D models of fetuses.

  • Customized B2B products

Not all customized products are in the B2C space. Businesses want to stand out from their competition. You could 3D print customized furniture, signature decoration or other products and sell them to companies.

If you’ve got an eye for designs that’ll sell well online, such as miniatures , tabletop models and D&D-esque designs, this might be the route for you.  

Become a 3D printer reseller and expert

Most cheap 3D printers are bought from Amazon. They come with instructions to get you going, and normally have some form of tech support if you run into serious problems.  

However, with more complex professional and industrial 3D printers, installation, training and ongoing support may be required.

Resellers sell printers from major 3D printer manufacturers to domestic or local customers, and can provide all the required support and installation locally so the manufacturer doesn’t need to be involved.

selling and maintaining 3d printers as a 3d printer reseller

To be a reseller, you’ll need to be an expert on every 3D printer made by the brand you’d be reselling, and may need to purchase one at full price first to fully understand it before becoming licensed and gaining access to wholesale rates.  

To find customers you’ll need a full understanding of the uses and applications of the particular 3D printers you sell, as well as likely buyer personas. The more industrial and expensive the 3D printers you sell, the smaller your potential client base will likely be.

Another variant of this is focusing on education and 3D printing in schools . Experts on 3D printing may be required to assist with either informing schools to install 3D printers, creating and teaching, or selling to educational establishments. However, check the regulatory rules for your country first.

Design 3D printing files

3d printing business plan template

[Source:  History.com ]

Love design? Then designing 3D files and selling those designs might be one of the better 3d printing business ideas you’re looking for.

The setup is simple: create and sell designs that your customers can print with their own 3D printers.

Sell your designs on 3D file marketplaces like  MyMiniFactory ,  CG Trader , Shapeways or  i.Materialise  or create your own online store with Shopify or WordPress (via Woocommerce).

  • Create designs for a niche market

Become the go-to person in a niche and sell designs on marketplaces. For example, you could provide designs in the home furnishing niche that companies can buy and use to sell their own prints.

  • Create prototypes for companies

Another idea is to create prototype designs and sell them to companies. You’re not printing the designs, which means that you can scale faster.

It’s important to start in a specific niche. For example, say a medical company needs 3D prototypes. If you’re a 3D printing company specializing in medical prototype designs, it’s much more likely that you’ll land them as a client than if you produce generic designs.

  • Create designs for museums, architects and interior designers

Typically, museums, architects, and interior designers need a lot of prototypes and other models. For example, History.com uses 3D printed Viking models in its  Vikings  project and architects need building models.

  • Set up your own online store

If you don’t want to sell your designs on marketplaces, you can open a store with a service like Shopify. Sell designs that people can buy right away to use for their own businesses.

Full-Service 3D Design and 3D Printing Agency

3d printing business plan template

Want to take it a step further and set up a shop that takes care of the entire process? With this business plan, your customers come in and talk about what they want you to print. Then, you design the product and print it.

Because the whole process can be quite expensive, you probably scale faster if you target B2B customers or those looking to get started with a new prototype. 

  • Create prototypes for companies 

Companies need prototypes, and they can be very expensive. That’s why 3D printed prototypes are such a great alternative; they’re easier to produce, and they’re cheaper.

 2.   Design and print products for e-commerce stores

E-commerce companies need to find reliable factories overseas because it’s too expensive to manufacture products locally. As the factory is far away from where the company is based, there might be a range of problems; long production times, varying factory standards and long and costly delivery times.

Many times, e-commerce companies have to source more stock than they need to avoid running out of products. With your services, you can offer a flexible and affordable solution to these problems. By designing and printing products for e-commerce shops, you tap into a major pain point in the industry.

It’s important (and with any of the other business ideas listed here) that you don’t just see this as a way to profit from 3D printing. When starting a business like this, you want to make sure you’re really passionate about the quality or products and the service levels you want to deliver. Otherwise, it will show. 

Think about what types of aspects matter most to the types of companies that would want your services and tailor your business plan to address these concerns. Creating small batch production items for an e-commerce company will require a slightly different service than perhaps just creating initial one-off prototypes for new startups.   

  • Create promotional goods

You know, promotional goods can be really powerful for a company’s marketing strategy. The only problem is that it’s expensive and difficult to find creative promotional goods if the company wants to go with something else than t-shirts. 3D printing doesn’t have the same restrictions, and that’s why your 3D printing service can solve this problem. Besides targeting the end user (companies), you might want to offer your services to ad agencies.

  • Repair and maintenance

As the 3D printing industry grows, there will be a growing demand for reliable repair and maintenance services. Set up your own repair and maintenance shop and repair and maintain 3D printers and prints.

Overall, with massive industry growth — especially on the industrial side — additive manufacturing is very attractive area to be in. If you’ve got the risk-taking chops, business acumen and love and knowledge for 3D printing, and are willing to put the work in, who knows, perhaps you could be the next 3D printing billionaire!

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3D Printing Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

3D Printing Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your 3D Printing business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their 3D Printing companies.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your 3D Printing business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

OKC 3D Printing is a new 3D printing company located in the heart of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We offer world-class 3D printing services to businesses, educational institutes, and other organizations located around the city. The company uses the latest manufacturing technologies to build functional parts and prototypes in both metals and plastics. Some of the services provided include selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, stereolithography, and multi-jet fusion. No matter what models or ideas our customers bring to us, we can easily make them a reality.

OKC 3D Printing is founded and owned by Alex Walker, who is a veteran of the additive manufacturing and printing industry. He is well-versed in all of the most popular forms of 3D printing and has an in-depth knowledge of the operations and management aspects of running a 3D printing company. His experience and local connections will prove invaluable to the business.

Product Offering

OKC 3D Printing will provide a wide variety of 3D printing services to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Some of these services include:

  • Rapid prototyping
  • Multi-jet fusion (MJF)
  • Selective laser sintering (SLS)
  • Fused deposition modeling (FDM)
  • Stereolithography (SLA)
  • Direct metal printing
  • Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS)

Customer Focus

OKC 3D Printing will serve the community of Oklahoma City. The company will primarily offer its products and services to businesses, educational institutions, and other organizations:

Management Team

OKC 3D Printing is led by Alex Walker, who has been in the additive manufacturing and printing industry for 25 years. While Alex has never run a 3D printing company himself, he was the Director of Operations at one of the leading 3D printing and rapid prototyping services companies in the area. During this time, he helped the company reach its full potential as it expanded its services and outreach to over a dozen local industries. As such, Alex has an in-depth knowledge of the 3D printing business, including the operations side (e.g., running day-to-day operations) and the business management side (e.g., staffing, marketing, etc.). He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Printing Technology and an MBA.

Success Factors

OKC 3D Printing will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

  • Management: The management team has 25 years of working experience in a 3D printing company that allows them to serve customers in a more sophisticated manner than the competitors.
  • Relationships: Having lived in the community for 30 years, Alex Walker knows all of the local leaders, media, and other influencers. Furthermore, he will be able to draw from his existing personal and professional relationships to develop an initial client base.
  • Great service at an affordable price: The complete array of 3D printing services offered by OKC 3D Printing nearly equals the most premium-positioned competitors but at a much more affordable price.
  • Location: OKC 3D Printing’s location is near the business center of town, giving the company access to educational institutions and private and public sector organizations that need 3D printing services.

Financial Highlights

OKC 3D Printing is currently seeking $600,000 to launch its 3D printing press. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

  • Design and build-out: $100,000
  • Equipment and supplies: $100,000
  • Six months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $250,000
  • Marketing costs: $50,000
  • Working capital: $100,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for OKC 3D Printing.

3d printing business plan template

Company Overview

Who is okc 3d printing, okc 3d printing history.

Alex Walker is an entrepreneur with a passion for new 3D printing techniques. He has been in the additive manufacturing and printing industry for the last 25 years but has been eager to branch out on his own. It was last year that Alex decided to start his own company dedicated to offering a complete 3D printing and design service experience for the residents and businesses of Oklahoma City.

Upon surveying the local customer base and finding a potential location, Alex Walker incorporated OKC 3D Printing as an S-Corporation on October 10th, 202X.

Alex is currently undergoing due diligence on several properties to assess which one might be the most desirable location for the 3D printing press.

Since incorporation, the company has achieved the following milestones:

  • Found several properties that can serve as the location for the 3D printing press
  • Developed the company’s name, logo, and website
  • Determined equipment and inventory requirements
  • Began recruiting key employees with experience in the industry

OKC 3D Printing Services

Industry analysis.

Though 3D printing has been around for decades, the industry has rapidly expanded in just the past 15 years. This is expected to continue as both businesses and individuals have an increasing need for 3D printing technology. Numerous industries are benefiting from 3D printing and are expanding this technology’s applications. With 3D printing becoming more common in sectors such as the healthcare, automotive, and defense industries, the 3D printing services industry will only continue to expand and increase in demand.

According to Grand View Research, the industry was valued at USD 16.75 billion in 2022, and about 2.2 million 3D printers were shipped. However, the industry is expected to grow at an enormous compound annual growth rate of 20.8% from now until 2030. In 2030, it is expected that the industry will be valued at USD 76.17 billion, and about 21.5 million printers will be shipped. This is aggressive growth that shows just how much this technology is in demand. This growth will only continue as more applications for 3D printing are discovered.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

OKC 3D Printing will serve businesses, government organizations, and educational institutions that are located in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City is a large city filled with numerous businesses and organizations that can benefit from 3D printing.

The precise demographics for Oklahoma City are:

Customer Segmentation

OKC 3D Printing will primarily target the following three customer segments:

  • Small businesses
  • Government organizations
  • High schools, colleges, and universities

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

OKC 3D Printing will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Prototype One

Prototype One is one of the most renowned 3D printing companies and has been in business for 30 years. Prototype One offers a wide array of 3D printing services to allow product developers, designers, and engineers an easier path to move from prototyping to low-volume production. Their suite of services and capabilities is the most comprehensive of any other competitor.

3D Printing Solutions

3D Printing Solutions provides its customers with thousands of 3D services for the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors. The company’s products include coordinate measuring machines, laser trackers and projectors, mappers, scanners, and software. Customers are able to browse through their vast database of designs from one central location. 3D Printing Solutions categorizes designs to make it easy to find what its customers are looking for.

XO 3D Printing

XO 3D Printing was established in 2008 and caters to a high-end clientele as it provides platforms to facilitate the development of 3D printing applications in industries such as healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and art and design. With more than 120 3D printers, they have an unmatched capacity that reliably delivers parts within days.

Competitive Advantage

OKC 3D Printing enjoys several advantages over its competitors. These advantages include:

  • Management: The management team has 25 years of working experience in a 3D printing company which allows them to serve customers in a more sophisticated manner than the competitors.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

OKC 3D Printing seeks to position itself as an upper-middle-market competitor in the 3D printing industry. Customers can expect to receive professionally printed objects from skilled printing operators at a moderate price point.

The OKC 3D Printing brand will focus on the company’s unique value proposition:

  • Offering a wide variety of customized 3D printing services and capabilities
  • Convenient location
  • Customer-focused service
  • Moderate price point

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for OKC 3D Printing is as follows:

Pre-Opening Events

Before opening, OKC 3D Printing will organize pre-opening events designed for prospective customers, local merchants, and press contacts. These events will create buzz and awareness for the company in the area.

Advertisement

Advertisements in print publications like newspapers, magazines, etc., are an excellent way for businesses to connect with their audience. The company will advertise its products in popular magazines and news dailies. Obtaining relevant placements in industry magazines and journals will also help in increasing brand visibility.

Public Relations

OKC 3D Printing will hire an experienced PR agency/professional(s) to formulate a compelling PR campaign to boost its brand visibility among the target audience. It will look to garner stories about the company and its offerings in various media outlets like newspapers, podcasts, television stations, radio shows, etc.

Social Media Marketing

One of the most cost-effective and practical marketing tools for increasing company visibility is social media. The company will use social media to develop engaging content in terms of different 3D designs and customer reviews that will increase audience awareness and loyalty. Engaging with prospective clients and business partners on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn will also help understand changing customer needs.

OKC 3D Printing’s pricing will be moderate, so customers feel they receive great value when availing of the 3D printing services. Customers can expect to receive high-quality modeling and printing services at a more affordable price than what they pay at an ultra-premium printing company.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for OKC 3D Printing.

Operation Functions:

  • Alex Walker will be the President of the company. He will be in charge of the overall operations as well as some of the initial marketing and networking efforts to gain new customers.
  • Alex will be assisted by Noah Brown, who will serve as the Manager. He will help with customer service, operating the 3D printers, and managing the other technicians.
  • Alex is also assisted by Rhonda Williams, who will work as an Administrative Assistant. She will be in charge of all the general administrative tasks for the company.
  • Alex will hire several other employees to assist with marketing, sales, and customer service as the company continues to expand.
  • Alex will also hire several technicians to operate the 3D printers and provide customer service.

Milestones:

The following are a series of steps that lead to our vision of long-term success. OKC 3D Printing expects to achieve the following milestones in the following six months:

2/202X            Finalize lease agreement on retail location

3/202X            Design and build out OKC 3D Printing

4/202X            Hire and train initial staff

5/202X            Kickoff of promotional campaign

6/202X            Launch OKC 3D Printing

7/202X            Reach break-even

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

OKC 3D Printing’s revenues will come from the 3D printing services. The major costs for the company will be the buildout of the facility, printing equipment and supplies, and staff salaries. In the initial years, the company’s marketing spending will be high as it establishes itself in the market. Moreover, rent for the prime location is also one of the notable cost drivers for the company.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following table reflects the key revenue and cost assumptions made in the financial model:

  • Average monthly payroll expenses: $50,000
  • Office lease per year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, 3d printing business plan faqs, what is a 3d printing business plan.

A 3D printing business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your 3D printing business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your 3D Printing business plan using our 3D Printing Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of 3D Printing Businesses?

There are a number of different kinds of 3D printing businesses , some examples include: Rapid Prototype Printer, Aerospace, Automotive and Railway Printer, or Consumer Products Printer.

How Do You Get Funding for Your 3D Printing Business Plan?

3D Printing businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a 3D Printing Business?

Starting a 3D printing business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A 3D Printing Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed 3D printing business plan in PDF or doc, that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your 3D printing business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your 3D printing business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your 3D Printing Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your 3D printing business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your 3D printing business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary 3D Printing Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your 3D printing business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your 3D printing business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Learn more about how to start a successful 3D printing business:

  • How to Start a 3D Printing Business

3D Printing Business Plan Template & Guidebook

3D printing technology has been revolutionizing the way businesses create and manufacture products. But, if entrepreneurs want to enter this sector, they need to have a well-thought-out business plan. Fortunately, the #1 3D Printing Business Plan Template & Guidebook can provide the blueprint to make this new technology a part of their venture. Get the insights you need to create a successful 3D printing business with this comprehensive template and guidebook.

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  • How to Start a Profitable 3D Printing Business [11 Steps]
  • 10+ Best & Profitable 3D Printing Business Ideas [2023]
  • 25 Catchy 3D Printing Business Names:
  • List of the Best Marketing Ideas For Your 3D Printing Service:

How to Write a 3D Printing Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your 3d printing business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your 3d printing business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a 3d printing business:

Our purpose at [3D Printing business name] is to provide cost-effective, high-quality 3D printing services to our customers, while continually investing in and innovating our 3D printing technology. We strive to create an environment of collaboration where our customers can work closely with our team of experts to develop the best possible 3D prints that meet their specific needs.

Image of Zenbusiness business formation

2. Products & Services Offered by Your 3D Printing Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your 3d printing business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is my business?
  • What are the products and/or services that I offer?
  • Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
  • How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
  • How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

Image of Zenbusiness business formation

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your 3d printing business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your 3d printing business includes the following elements:

Target market

  • Who is your target market?
  • What do these customers have in common?
  • How many of them are there?
  • How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

  • Who are your current customers? 
  • Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
  • How can their experience with your 3d printing business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

  • How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
  • Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
  • Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
  • How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

  • Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
  • Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
  • What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

  • Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
  • What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
  • What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
  • How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

3d printing business plan template

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

  • The equipment and facilities needed
  • Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
  • Financial requirements for each step
  • Milestones & KPIs
  • Location of your business
  • Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a 3d printing business?

  • 3D Printer(s)
  • Computer and/or laptop
  • Software for 3D modeling, printing and post-processing
  • Various filaments for 3D printing
  • Printer cleaning materials, solvents and lubricants
  • Applicable business permits and licenses, for both local and state governments

5. Management & Organization of Your 3D Printing Business.

The second part of your 3d printing business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

  • How many employees you need in order to run your 3d printing business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
  • The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
  • How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. 3D Printing Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a 3d printing business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a 3d printing business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your 3d printing business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your 3d printing business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your 3d printing business plan:

  • Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
  • Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
  • Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
  • Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
  • Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
  • Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

3d printing business plan template

Frequently Asked Questions About 3D Printing Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a 3d printing business.

A business plan is a vital document that outlines the strategy, short and long-term goals, and plans of action for a business. It is essential for a 3D printing business because it provides the roadmap that can help the business achieve its desired goals. It explains how the 3D printing services will be marketed, what resources are needed to start and sustain the business, how customer needs will be met, and how profits will be generated. Ultimately, it serves as a blueprint for setting up and managing a successful 3D printing business.

Who should you ask for help with your 3d printing business plan?

It can be helpful to consult with an accountant, lawyer, and business consultant to help with developing a 3D printing business plan. Additionally, professional organizations like the 3D Printing Association can offer guidance and resources for developing a business plan for a 3D printing business.

Can you write a 3d printing business plan yourself?

While it is possible to write a 3D printing business plan yourself, it is not recommended unless you have expertise and experience in creating business plans. A business plan is an important document that requires extensive research, analysis and strategic thinking in order to be effective. It is best to work with a professional consultant or business coach who can provide guidance and assistance throughout the process.

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From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

How to write a business plan for a 3D printing business

3d printing business plan entrepreneurs

Did you know that the 3D printing & rapid prototyping services industry in the UK grew 8.3% per year, on average, between 2018 and 2023?

Running a 3D printing business can be an incredibly rewarding venture, but it is important to have the right plan in place for success. A 3D printing business plan should include information about your 3D printing services, financials and marketing strategy amongst other sections.

Writing a comprehensive 3D printing business plan will help you stay organized, and ensure that you cover all of the necessary elements to give your business the best chance of succeeding and impressing investors when raising finance.

Ready? Let's get started!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a 3D printing business?

Information needed to create a business plan for a 3d printing business.

  • What goes in the financial forecast of a 3D printing business?

The written part of a 3D printing business plan

What tool should i use to write my 3d printing business plan.

There are several reasons to write a 3D printing business plan. Below, we cover some of the most important ones!

To serve as a roadmap for owners and employees

Writing a business plan is key to growing your 3D printing business because it forms the ideal blueprint in terms of day-to-day operations and management - detailing everything from finances and operations to marketing and sales. It also outlines your goals, strategies, and financial resources needed to succeed.

Without a business plan, it's difficult to understand what direction you should take and whether or not your 3D printing business could be successful. Your plan serves as a guide that ensures all stakeholders are on the 'same page' and that they understand the main goals of the company.

To help secure financing

A 3D printing business plan provides potential investors with information about the financial viability of your company.

This information helps potential investors make informed decisions about whether to invest in your business.

To evaluate the level of investment required

It can also be tough to determine the level of investment required to start up a 3D printing business, particularly if you lack past entrepreneurial experience. 

The financial section of your business plan will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the costs and investments required to start your business. 

Example of potential startup costs for a 3D printing company:

  • Printing equipment and materials
  • Security deposit for the premises
  • Website design
  • Company formation

Gaining a clear understanding of your startup and future costs (in years 1-3), helps you prepare, stay on target, and mitigate the likelihood you'll need to incur unplanned debt.

Create your 3D printing business plan online!

Think your 3D printing business could be profitable? Find out how with a business plan!

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Writing a 3D printing business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast.

In this section, we cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your plan!

Carrying out market research for a 3D printing business

Knowing the size and scope of the industry you are entering, potential customers, competitors, trends in the marketplace and other related information helps shape your business plan.

This is because you gain an in-depth understanding of the current state of the 3D printing industry and can focus on areas of opportunity, whilst taking into account potential risk.

A thorough understanding of the market forms the 'backbone' of any successful business venture.

Developing the marketing plan for a 3D printing company

A marketing plan involves setting out the strategy for the growth of your business. It includes everything from getting to know your target market to acquiring and retaining customers long-term.

A well-written sales plan sets goals in terms of the number of products and services your business aims to sell each year and the forecasted revenue associated.

Your sales plan might also be dictated by specific targets such as "increase the number of 3D printing customers via online advertising by 25% in year 2".

Note that your sales plan forms part of your overall marketing strategy and both work in symphony.

The staffing and equipment needs of a 3D printing business

Before writing a business plan for a 3D printing company, it is important to consider the staffing and equipment needs of your venture. You'll need to know how many people to hire as well as the types of machinery and software needed to produce quality prints.

Understanding how much needs to be invested (upfront and to maintain the equipment) will help you accurately forecast capital expenditures. Whilst having a clear picture of recruitment needs will provide a baseline to assess the level of operating expenses required for your 3D printing business to operate day to day.

At this stage, you should have a thorough understanding of:

  • Market research
  • Marketing & sales plan
  • Staffing and equipment needs

The next step is to build a financial forecast for your 3D printing business.

What goes into a 3D printing business financial forecast?

A financial forecast seeks to project the company's future financial position.

There are three key parts to a financial forecast for a 3D printing business: the profit and loss statement, the balance sheet, and the cash flow statement.

In the next section, we explain what a projected profit and loss statement is and why it's useful for your 3D printing company.

The projected P&L statement

A forecasted profit and loss statement involves projecting expected costs and revenues over a certain period (usually 3 or 5 years) to determine whether or not your business idea is profitable.

Revenues are the money coming in from services or products that the company sells, while expenses are the money going out to produce those services and products.

Expected costs may include overheads such as rent, insurance and marketing.

Projected P&L statements can help a 3D printing company identify opportunities for growth and areas where they need to cut costs to maximize their profits.

By having an accurate and up-to-date projected P&L statement, companies can make informed decisions that will ensure their long-term success.

3d printing business: projected profit and loss

The projected balance sheet of your 3D printing business

The balance sheet for a 3D printing company is an important document that gives you a snapshot of the financial health of the company. It shows how much money the company has in assets, liabilities, and equity. 

  • Assets are things the company owns, such as equipment and inventory.
  • Liabilities are debts that the company owes, such as loans or accounts payable.
  • Equity is the difference between assets and liabilities. It is a proxy for the shareholders' value.

By looking at the balance sheet, you can get an idea of how much money the company is worth and if it owns more than it owes.

3d printing business: projected balance sheet

The projected cash flow statement

A projected cash flow statement details your 3D printing company's cash inflows and outflows.

It includes income from sales and expenses related to operations, any expected capital investments and cash flow from financing activities. 

By predicting how much money is coming in and out of your business each month, you can make more informed decisions about how to manage your finances.

This can help ensure that you have enough cash on hand to cover expenses, as well as plan for future investments and growth. 

3d printing business: projected cash flow

The initial financing plan

3d printing business: sources and uses funds

Now that you have a better understanding of the financial aspect of a 3D printing business plan, it's time to turn our focus to the written part of your business plan.

In this section, you'll learn about how to write an effective executive summary and other key components of your business plan. 

Let's take a look at what you need to include in your plan and how to best communicate your business’s goals and objectives. 

The written part of your 3D printing business plan is where you will provide the reader with the context required to understand your business, its objectives and its ability to carry out the plan and deliver the expected financial projections.

1. The executive summary

The executive summary of your 3D printing business plan should summarize your plan and communicate your vision and goals in a succinct yet comprehensive manner in order to hook the reader.

The reader must gain an understanding of:

  • what the business is,
  • what services are being offered,
  • who it is meant for and how the company adds value to the customer
  • what financial performance is expected
  • what is being asked of the reader

2. The presentation of the company

In this section, you should state what legal structure your 3D printing business will take up. Common legal structures in the UK include sole trader, partnership or limited liability company. You should also include the date of registration, address and total equity invested in the business.

If you have multiple shareholders in the business, it is necessary to outline the role of each shareholder, as well as the percentage of ownership they have in the business.

3. The products and services section

When writing the products and services section of a 3D printing business plan, make sure to include a detailed description of what you offer. Outline each product or service that will be offered, including any unique features or advantages.

Additionally, explain why customers should choose your 3D printing products over others. Make sure to provide information about special or differentiating offers you may have.

3d printing business plan: example of printed products

4. The market research analysis

In this section, the key is to be concise yet comprehensive. Start by summarizing the most important findings from your market research so that you can quickly give potential investors a sense of what sort of demand there may be for your services or products.

Be sure to back up your conclusion with data and facts from the research, so that you can provide a solid foundation for your argument. If there are any unanswered questions or areas of uncertainty that remain, mention those as well, but focus on detailing the most tangible results.

Finally, finish off by presenting the overall conclusions about the market opportunity for your business based on what you've learned.

5. Strategy section

A 3D printing company should present their strategy in a business plan with clear sections that outline its pricing, marketing plan, milestones, risks and mitigants.

  • Present your pricing strategy: state how much each 3D printing service costs and any discounts or promotions available.
  • Outline how the company aims to attract and retain customers in a marketing plan.
  • Mention key milestones and the date by which your 3D printing company hopes to achieve them. For example, your business might want to reach its break-even point within 6 months.
  • Explain how your company plans to manage any potential risks such as fire or water hazards.

6. The operations section

When writing the operations section of a 3D printing company business plan, it is important to include key information about the staffing team, suppliers and assets held by the business.

  • Outline qualifications held by staff and any experience relevant to 3D printing. Explain the responsibilities of each team member.
  • List all of the suppliers you plan to work with and explain why you chose each one. Reasons might include sustainability ethos or cost-effectiveness.
  • State any key assets that your business holds and explain how they are protected. For example, vehicles are insured by most firms.

7. The presentation of the financial plan

By definition, this section should contain your profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

It should also provide detailed information about necessary startup costs, capital investments and any important assumptions made when building your financial forecast.

There are 3 main ways of putting together a 3D printing business plan which we will explore below.

Creating your 3D printing business plan using Word or Excel

Using Microsoft Word and Excel to create a business plan for your 3D printing company is the cheapest solution, but not the most efficient.

First let's address the elephant in the room: the financial projections.

Unless you have a background in finance or accounting, there is a very strong chance that:

  • you will lack the skills required to create a financial forecast on Excel without making errors,
  • or that the reader of your business plan will assume you did make mistakes (and therefore not trust your projections).

And even if you do have experience in financial modelling, Excel is, in our modern age, by far neither the fastest nor the safest way of creating a financial forecast.

When it comes to writing the actual business plan, Word can do a decent job but you will have to start from a blank page, manually handle the formatting, and manually incorporate your financial forecast's tables inside the document (and keep everything updated when the number changes).

Hire a consultant to write your 3D printing company business plan

Hiring a chartered accountant or consultant to take care of the financial forecast of your 3D printing company business plan is a good way to avoid errors. 

However, the fees are generally quite expensive: budget a minimum of £1.5k ($2.0k) for a complete business plan, more if you need to make changes after the initial version (which happens frequently after the initial meetings with lenders and investors).

If you decide to hire a consultant or accountant, remember to check what's included in the service - are they developing a complete business plan or just doing the financial forecast? And are you willing to pay extra for them to make changes, if necessary?

Use an online business plan software for your 3D printing business plan

Using an online business plan software to write your 3D printing company business plan can be incredibly beneficial, as it provides users with an efficient way to create a comprehensive and professional document.

There are several advantages to using specialised software:

  • You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan 
  • You can be inspired by already written business plan templates 
  • You can easily make your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you
  • You get a professional document, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors.

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try our software for free by signing up here .

We hope this article has given you a much better understanding of how to write the business plan for a 3D printing business.

If you'd like advice on any of the points mentioned above or would like to speak to a member of our team about anything else related, please do not hesitate to get in touch!

Also on The Business Plan Shop:

  • How to choose the best business plan software for you
  • Where to write the conclusion of your business plan?
  • How investors analyse business plans

Know someone who runs or is thinking about starting a 3D printing business? Share this article with them!

Guillaume Le Brouster

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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3D Printing Business Plan

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How to Write a 3d Business Plan?

Writing a 3d printing business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section of the business plan intended to provide an overview of the whole business plan. Generally, it is written after the entire business plan is ready. Here are some components to add to your summary:

Start with a brief introduction:

Market opportunity:, mention your services:, management team:, financial highlights:, call to action:.

Ensure you keep your executive summary concise and clear, use simple language, and avoid jargon.

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3d printing business plan template

2. Business Overview

Depending on what details of your business are essential, you’ll need different elements in your business overview . Still, there are some foundational elements like business name, legal structure, location, history, and mission statement that every business overview should include:

About the business:

Provide all the basic information about your business in this section like:

  • The name of the printing business and the concept of 3d printing, for example, fused deposition modeling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), electron beam melting (EMB), or providing 3d printing with some other method?
  • Company structure of your 3d printing business whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership firm, or some other.
  • Location of your 3d printing store and the reason why you selected that place.

Mission statement:

Business history:, future goals:.

This section should provide an in-depth understanding of your printing business. Also, the business overview section should be engaging and precise.

3. Market Analysis

Market analysis provides a clear understanding of the market in which your printing business will run along with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. Your market analysis should contain the following essential components:

Target market:

Market size and growth potential:, competitive analysis:, market trends:, regulatory environment:.

Some additional tips for writing the market analysis section of your business plan:

  • Use a variety of sources to gather data, including industry reports, market research studies, and surveys.
  • Be specific and provide detailed information wherever possible.
  • Include charts and graphs to help illustrate your key points.
  • Keep your target audience in mind while writing the business plan

4. Products And Services

The product and services section of a printing house business plan should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

List the services:

  • Create a list of the services that your printing business will offer, which may include 3d scanning, printing, prototyping, 3d projects, presentations, or anything else you provide.
  • Describe each service: For each service, provide a detailed description of what it entails, the time required, and the qualifications of the professionals who will provide the service.

Emphasize safety and quality:

Overall, a business plan’s product and services section should be detailed, informative, and customer-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key points to include in your marketing plan:

Develop your unique selling proposition (USP):

Determine your pricing strategy:, marketing strategies:, sales strategies:, customer retention:.

Overall, the sales and marketing strategies section of your business plan should outline your plans to attract and retain customers and generate revenue. Be specific, realistic, and data-driven in your approach, and be prepared to adjust your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

When writing the operations plan section , it’s important to consider the various aspects of your business operations. Here are the components to include in an operations plan:

Describe your 3d printing process:

Describe your supply chain:, customer satisfaction:.

By including these key elements in your operations plan section, you can create a comprehensive plan that outlines how you will run your 3d printing business.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of the individuals responsible for running the 3d printing business plan. This section should provide a detailed description of the experience and qualifications of each manager, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Key managers:

Organizational structure:, compensation plan:, board of advisors:.

Describe the key personnel of your company and highlight why your business has the fittest team.

8. Financial Plan

When writing the financial plan section of a business plan, it’s important to provide a comprehensive overview of your financial projections for the first few years of your business.

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:, financing needs:.

Remember to be realistic with your financial projections, and to provide supporting evidence for all of your estimates.

9. Appendix

When writing the appendix section, you should include any additional information that supports the main content of your plan. This may include financial statements, market research data, legal documents, and other relevant information.

  • Include a table of contents for the appendix section to make it easy for readers to find specific information.
  • Include financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. These should be up-to-date and show your financial projections for at least the first three years of your business.
  • Provide market research data, such as statistics on the size of the printing industry, consumer demographics, and trends in the industry.
  • Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
  • Provide any additional documentation related to your business plans, such as marketing materials, product brochures, and operational procedures.
  • Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the information they need.

Remember, the appendix section of your 3d printing business should only include relevant and important information that supports the main content of your plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

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This 3d printing business plan sample will provide an idea for writing a successful printing business plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you are still confused about how to write an investment-ready spa business plan to impress your audience, then download our 3d printing business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a 3d printing business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful printing business. It helps clarify your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your printing house.

How to get funding for your printing business?

There are several ways to get funding for your printing business, but one of the most efficient and speedy funding options is self-funding. Other options for funding are!

  • Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
  • Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
  • Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your business, usually online.
  • Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought options for startups.
  • Venture capital – Venture capitalists will invest in your business in exchange for a percentage of shares, so this funding option is also viable.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your 3d printing business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and idea better than you, so we recommend you write your printing house business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your 3d printing business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any 3d printing business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software.

About the Author

3d printing business plan template

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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How To Start A 3D Printing Business

If you're wondering how to start a 3d printing business of your own, this guide on starting a 3d printing business is best for you..

3D printing is no longer a surprise in 2024. Even though it took time for it to be noticed after its start in the 1980s, the next five years should see an average growth of 23.5%.

In one study, 3D artists make an average of $53,000 a year , but these figures include those working for corporations rather than themselves.

The 3D printing industry continues to innovate and grow, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with numerous options to create designs on demand.

The use of 3D printing is known to be environmentally friendly, produces zero waste , and is a more cost-effective option than traditional manufacturing.

The increased market value led to a boom in interest in 3D printing businesses. 3D printing provides a wide variety of niches in which to develop a business.

Even though each type of 3D printing business has its own requirements to get started, there are some general things you can do to make the process of setting up a business easier.

How To Start A 3d Printing Business

1. Decide what kind of 3D printer you want to be

3D printing can be used in many different ways. Thus, there are many different niches for 3D printing businesses to profit from. Examples include 3D printing prototypes and manufacturing components, setting up a local 3D printing service, and 3D printing toys.

3D printing of prototypes and models

Nearly 65% of the 3D printing market is driven by engineers developing industrial, electrical, or consumer products. Also, industries such as architecture, engineering, technology, and medicine need models of devices, parts, and chemical compounds.

3D printed parts and components not only reduce production time but also lower costs. Therefore, a 3D printing business that assists other businesses with these needs can be quite profitable.

3D printing service

A local 3D printing service might also be a good idea. While several businesses utilize 3D printing in their production process, not every business can afford one. This makes a 3D printing service more efficient than traditional research and manufacturing methods for these businesses.

In addition, 3D printing services can produce work for individuals who need their own 3D printed products. As an example, students may need a 3D printed model for a school project. Artists may use 3D printed models for art projects.

Sell custom 3D printed products

The customization industry is huge. With 3D printing, you can customize anything. Who doesn’t like unique and different items?

Even one chooses a mobile cover based on his or her tastes. Considering your target audience will help you determine what you want to print.

Collectibles and figures of athletes, movie stars, singers, and movie avatars would be some of the best choices for kidswear businesses when it comes to 3D printing.

If you want to attract youths , 3D printing custom mobile cases, shoes, jewelry, and many other items are sure to work. You are only limited by your creativity.

If you wish to sell 3D printed customized parts to companies, you can start by selecting a niche.

2. Plan your 3D printing startup costs

Business formation fees.

  • Creating an LLC or corporation $70 to $600  (required)
  • Insurance for small businesses between $300 and $2,000  (recommended)
  • Fees for permits and licenses $100 to $800 (optional)
  • Lawyer Fees $0 to $1,000 (optional)

Expenses related to inventory

  • The upfront costs for inventory range from $300 to $5,000

3. Create a legal entity

Find out how to form an llc yourself.

Learn about llc formation, including information on registered agents, naming rules, business licenses, and more.

Choose Your State to Learn How to Form an LLC There

  • Alabama LLC
  • Arizona LLC
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4. Tax registration

Before you can open for business, you will have to register for a variety of state and federal taxes. To register for taxes, you will need an EIN.

Your EIN can be obtained for free through the IRS website, via fax, or by mail. Read our article What is an EIN ? to learn more about EINs and how they can benefit your LLC.

5. Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Your 3d printing business must adhere to city, state, and federal regulations. To avoid legal snags, make sure you are familiar with the business laws in your area.

The failure to obtain necessary permits and licenses can result in heavy fines or even the closure of your business.

Operating a 3D printing design business may require state permits and licenses. In most states, businesses must collect sales tax on the goods or services they sell.

6. Copyright & Trademark Protection

When developing a unique product or concept, you should register for trademarks and copyrights to protect your rights.

7. Protect your business with insurance

In addition to licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate legally and safely. A business insurance plan protects your company’s financial health in case of a covered loss.

Insurance policies are available for a variety of businesses with a variety of risks. If you’re not sure what risks your business may face, begin by purchasing General Liability Insurance . 

It’s the most common coverage small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance is another policy many businesses require. If you plan to hire employees, it’s quite possible that your state will require that you carry workers’ compensation insurance.

8. Make your business website

Creating a website for your business is the next step after defining your brand and creating your logo. The following are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites. Getting your business online doesn’t matter what your business’s size or industry is.
  • Facebook pages and LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website you own.
  • Tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder make it extremely easy to create a basic website.

Recommended: If you want to improve your conversion rates, and maximize your revenue to help grow your business and achieve your goals. It is always best to hire professional web design services to develop your company’s website.

4 Key Success Factors Printing Businesses

Key success factors printing businesses

Despite the challenges of the 3D printing and prototyping businesses, We have identified five factors that can help you boost profitability, efficiency, and ultimately success.

  • Ability to adopt new technology quickly: 3D printing and rapid prototyping companies must adapt to technological advancements to attract more consumers.
  • Close monitoring of the competition: Its low concentration encourages competition among smaller companies seeking to enter a new market. To remain competitive, industry companies must closely follow their competitors.
  • Having a good understanding of the service: As this industry caters to a wide range of industries, companies must understand the appropriate processes associated with each industry.
  • Contracts with key suppliers in place: It is necessary for companies to source several input materials for the printing process. It is important that companies maintain good relationships with suppliers of these materials.

These 4 factors are essential for the success of printing businesses , resulting ultimately in higher sales and brand awareness, but most importantly, higher profits.

Want to Get Top-Quality 3D Printing Business Plan?

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The Highlights Of Our Recently Developed 3D Printing Business Plan

Market analysis summary: 3d printing business plan.

The Custom Screen Printing industry has declined over the five years to 2020. The industry generates most of its revenue from printing on apparel and other nonpaper materials, services it performs for both consumers and businesses.

Since 2015, decreasing corporate profit, despite improving disposable income levels, has weakened both consumer and commercial demand for the industry’s custom printing services. 

As a result, the Custom Screen Printing industry has decreased similarly to other printing segments.

Over the five years to 2020, industry revenue fell at an annualized 2.2% to $7.7 billion. In 2020, the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and an economic slowdown are expected to reduce demand for industry products by reducing consumer spending drastically.

The industry is also affected by social distancing policies preventing large gatherings, such as family reunions, summer camps and fundraisers, which require custom T-shirts. As a result, industry revenue decreased by 18.0% in 2020 alone.

Screen Printing Business Plans Summary

Product and Services

Screen printing on apparel items is the largest segment in the Custom Screen Printing industry, accounting for an estimated 49.4% of revenue in 2020. 

The process of screen printing on apparel items such as T-shirts and sweaters is a multistep process that can be performed by businesses and consumers alike.

While this segment experienced a lower level of demand in 2015 due to slow growth in consumer spending, its share of the industry has expanded significantly over the five years to 2020 as consumer spending has increased overall. 

The apparel printing product segment is expected to be greatly affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic due to social distancing policies.

Many large events, which have now been canceled, sell or require custom T-shirts such as a concert. The cancellation of these large events has negatively affected the product segment in 2020 .

Product and Services Section of Screen Printing Business Plan

3D Printing Business Plan FAQ's

For artists who have previously created physical works (i.e. statues and carvings), this business is ideal. Taking a good idea and using a combination of software and artistic skills to make it into a reality is the most important part of this job.

Start-up costs for 3D printing businesses depend on the type of focus you choose. However, the setup cost ranges from $5,00 to $20,000 for a 3D printing business. It depends on the type of 3D printer that you choose, utilities, rent (if you do not work from home), software, and marketing.

This is possible, but business consultants and writers are experts at this. Using a variety of valuation metrics, they understand what goals you should set for your custom screen printing business. Through them, you can set timelines for reaching those goals. You’ll benefit from their expertise in marketing tactics, financials, and customer acquisition strategies while saving time so you can focus on other aspects of your business.

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Contact us today for a free consultation, related articles, quick links.

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3d printing business plan template

The Ultimate Guide to Creating a 3D Printing Service Business Plan: A Step-by-Step Template

Introduction:\

In today's rapidly evolving world, 3D printing has revolutionized the way we manufacture and build things. As the demand for 3D printing services continues to grow, it has become essential for entrepreneurs and business owners to create a solid business plan that sets them up for success. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of creating a 3D printing service business plan, providing you with a step-by-step template to follow.

1. Executive Summary:\

The executive summary is the opening section of your business plan and provides an overview of your 3D printing service business. It includes a brief description of your company, its unique selling proposition, target market, and the financial projections.

2. Company Description and Vision:\

In this section, you will delve deeper into your 3D printing service business. Describe your company's mission and vision, the services you will offer, and how you plan to differentiate yourself from competitors. Discuss the target market and trends in the 3D printing industry that support your venture.

3. Market Analysis:\

Perform a comprehensive analysis of the 3D printing market, focusing on industry trends, customer needs, and competitive landscape. Identify your target customers and their preferences, and explain how your 3D printing services will fulfill those needs better than your competitors.

4. Services and Products:\

Describe in detail the 3D printing services and products you will offer. Highlight the various technologies and materials you will use, and explain how these offerings will provide value to your customers. Additionally, discuss any potential future expansions or partnerships.

5. Marketing and Sales Strategy:\

Develop a robust marketing and sales strategy to promote your 3D printing services. Identify your target audience and outline your marketing tactics, including online advertising, social media campaigns, and partnerships with local businesses. Create a sales forecast and specify how you will generate revenue.

6. Operational Plan:\

In this section, outline the operational aspects of your 3D printing service business. Discuss your facility requirements, equipment needed, and the software you will utilize. Outline your production process and any quality control measures you will put in place to ensure customer satisfaction.

7. Organization and Management:\

Describe the organizational structure of your company, including the key roles and responsibilities. If applicable, discuss any partnerships or collaborations that will play a vital role in the success of your 3D printing service business.

8. Financial Projections:\

Include detailed financial projections for your 3D printing service business. This should cover the startup costs, expected revenue, and expenses over a specific period. Use financial metrics such as return on investment (ROI) and break-even analysis to evaluate the financial viability of your venture.

9. Funding and Funding Sources:\

Identify the funding requirements for your 3D printing service business and detail how you plan to secure the necessary capital. Explore options such as self-funding, grants, loans, or seeking investors. Highlight any unique strengths or competitive advantages that will make your venture attractive to potential funders.

10. Risk Analysis:\

Assess the potential risks and challenges that your 3D printing service business may face. Identify strategies to mitigate these risks and establish contingency plans to ensure business continuity. This will demonstrate your preparedness and commitment to success.

11. Implementation Timeline:\

Create a detailed implementation timeline that outlines the key milestones and tasks required to launch your 3D printing service business. Set realistic deadlines and allocate resources accordingly.

12. Monitoring and Evaluation:\

Explain how you will monitor and evaluate the progress of your 3D printing service business. Discuss the key performance indicators (KPIs) you will track and the tools and metrics you will use to measure success. Regularly review and adapt your business strategies based on the results.

Conclusion:\

Creating a comprehensive and well-thought-out 3D printing service business plan is crucial to secure funding, attract customers, and guide your business towards success. By following this step-by-step template, you can lay a solid foundation for your 3D printing venture and navigate the dynamic landscape of the industry. Remember, a well-prepared business plan provides a roadmap, helping you make informed decisions and achieve your goals in the world of 3D printing services.

3D printing process

Different 3D printing processes have their own advantages and applicable scenarios, Sigma provides SLA process for Visual prototyping and SLS process for Functional prototyping.

3d printing business plan template

FDM is the most common 3D printing technology that uses hot-melt plastic wire material to deposit printed objects layer by layer through nozzles.

3d printing business plan template

SLA uses ultraviolet laser or LED beam to solidify liquid photosensitive resin and print objects layer by layer.

3d printing business plan template

SLS uses lasers to sinter material powders and print objects layer by layer.

3D printing materials

3d printing business plan template

One of the most commonly used 3D printing materials. These materials include ABS, PLA, PETG, TPU, PEEK, etc. Each material has different physical and chemical properties and can be suitable for different application scenarios.

3d printing business plan template

Metal 3D printing materials include titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, nickel alloy, etc. Metal 3D printing can produce complex components and molds, with advantages such as high strength and high wear resistance.

3d printing business plan template

Ceramic 3D printing materials include alumina, zirconia, silicate, etc. Ceramic 3D printing can produce high-precision ceramic products, such as ceramic parts, ceramic sculptures, etc.

Delicated Employees

Countries Served

Satisfied Customers

Projects Delivered Per Month

3d printing business plan template

What can we do?

Sigma Technik Limited, as a prototype production company and rapid manufacturer focusing on rapid prototyping and low volume production of plastic and metal parts, has advanced manufacturing technology, one-stop service, diversified manufacturing methods, on-demand manufacturing services and efficient manufacturing processes, which can provide customers with high-quality, efficient and customized product manufacturing services and help customers improve product quality and market competitiveness.

Gallery of 3D Printing

3d printing business plan template

Let’s start a great partnership journey!

3d printing faqs, what is the reason for the poor 3d printing effect.

Poor printing quality may be caused by improper printer adjustment, material issues, or design issues. The solution includes adjusting printer settings, replacing materials, or redesigning the model.

Why Slow 3D printing speed?

The printing speed may be slow due to issues with the mechanical structure or control system of the printer. The solution includes upgrading printer hardware or adjusting printer settings

What to do if the 3D printer has insufficient adhesion?

Possible poor adhesion of the printing bed due to surface or material issues. The solution includes replacing the surface of the printing bed, using a bottom coating, or replacing materials.

How to solve a 3D printer malfunction?

The printer may malfunction due to hardware or software issues. The solution includes checking and repairing printer hardware, updating printer software, or reinstalling drivers.

Financial Model, Business Plan and Dashboard Templates - FinModelsLab

How To Craft a 3D Printing Business Plan: Checklist

By alex ryzhkov, resources on 3d printing manufacturing service.

  • Financial Model
  • Business Plan
  • Value Proposition
  • One-Page Business Plan
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Business Model
  • Marketing Plan

Are you thinking of starting a 3D printing manufacturing service? With the rapid growth of the industry and its potential for personalized and on-demand manufacturing solutions, now is the perfect time to enter the market. According to the latest statistics, the global 3D printing market is expected to reach a staggering $49.7 billion by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.5%.

But before you jump in, it's important to have a solid business plan in place. This will not only help you stay focused and organized, but it will also provide a roadmap for success. In this blog post, we will walk you through 9 essential steps to write a business plan for your 3D printing manufacturing service. Let's dive in!

  • Conduct market research: Analyze the current market trends, customer needs, and potential demand for your services. This will help you identify gaps in the market and tailor your offerings to meet customer requirements.
  • Identify target customers: Determine your target audience based on their industry, geographic location, and specific needs. Understanding your customers will allow you to design your marketing and sales strategies accordingly.
  • Analyze competitors: Research your competitors to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning. This will help you differentiate your business and develop strategies to outperform them.
  • Define your unique selling proposition: Identify your unique strengths and advantages that set you apart from your competitors. This could be your cutting-edge technology, expertise in certain industries, or exceptional customer service.
  • Assess financial feasibility: Determine the financial viability of your business by analyzing your startup costs, projected revenues, and profitability. This will help you secure funding and make informed financial decisions.
  • Determine pricing strategies: Set competitive and profitable pricing for your services based on factors such as cost of production, market demand, and value proposition. It's important to strike a balance between affordability and profitability.
  • Outline marketing and advertising plans: Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy to raise awareness and promote your services. This could include online marketing, social media campaigns, attending trade shows, and collaborating with industry influencers.
  • Create a comprehensive sales strategy: Define your sales channels, target sales volume, and sales team structure. This will help you effectively reach your target customers and achieve your revenue goals.
  • Develop a detailed operational plan: Outline the day-to-day operations of your 3D printing manufacturing service, including staffing, production processes, quality control measures, and supply chain management.

By following these 9 steps and creating a well-thought-out business plan, you'll be on your way to establishing a successful and thriving 3D printing manufacturing service. Good luck!

Conduct Market Research

In order to build a successful business plan for your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service, it is crucial to conduct thorough market research . This step involves gathering essential information about the industry, target market, and potential customers. By understanding the market dynamics and identifying key trends, you can make informed decisions and position your business for success.

Market research helps you gain insights into the demand for 3D printing manufacturing services in different industries and regions. It provides valuable information about emerging opportunities and helps you anticipate potential challenges that may arise.

Here are some important aspects to consider during the market research process:

  • Industry analysis: Analyze the current state of the 3D printing manufacturing industry, including growth rate, technological advancements, and market trends. Identify the key players and their market share.
  • Target market identification: Identify the industries and customer segments that are most likely to benefit from your personalized and on-demand 3D printing manufacturing service. Understand their specific needs and pain points.
  • Customer profiling: Create detailed profiles of your target customers, including their demographics, preferences, and buying behavior. Understand their motivations and decision-making processes.
  • Competitor analysis: Study your competitors' offerings, strengths, weaknesses, pricing strategies, and marketing tactics. Identify gaps in the market that your business can fill.
  • Utilize online research tools and databases to gather industry-specific data and statistics.
  • Conduct surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather direct insights from potential customers.
  • Stay updated with industry publications, forums, and conferences to stay abreast of the latest market trends.

By conducting thorough market research, you lay a solid foundation for your business plan and increase the chances of success for your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service. It helps you understand the dynamics of the market, identify your target customers, and differentiate your business from competitors.

Identify Target Customers

Identifying your target customers is a crucial step in developing a successful business plan for your 3D printing manufacturing service. By understanding the needs, preferences, and demographics of your potential customers, you can tailor your offerings and marketing strategies to effectively reach and engage them. Here are some important points to consider:

  • Research the market to gather insights about the industries and sectors that are likely to benefit from 3D printing manufacturing services. Identify the specific businesses and individuals within these industries who can benefit from your unique value proposition.
  • Segment your target customers based on key criteria such as their size, industry, location, and purchasing power. This segmentation will help you understand their specific needs and preferences, allowing you to tailor your offerings and marketing messages accordingly.
  • Consider the pain points or challenges that your target customers are experiencing in their current manufacturing processes. Highlight how your 3D printing manufacturing service can address these pain points and offer significant value and benefits.
  • Pay attention to emerging trends and developments in the industries you are targeting. Stay updated with advancements in technology and materials that can influence your target customers' demands and expectations.

Tips for Identifying Target Customers:

  • Utilize online surveys, focus groups, or interviews to gather firsthand feedback from potential customers in your target industries. This will help you validate your assumptions and refine your understanding of their needs.
  • Network and attend industry-specific events and trade shows to connect with potential customers and gain insights into their challenges and requirements.
  • Consider partnering with industry associations or relevant organizations to gain access to their membership base and establish credibility within your target market.

Analyze Competitors

When starting a 3D Printing Manufacturing Service, it is crucial to analyze the competition in your target market. Analyzing your competitors can provide valuable insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies, allowing you to position your business effectively.

Here are some important aspects to consider during the competitor analysis:

  • Identify key competitors: Start by identifying the leading players in the 3D printing manufacturing industry. Look for companies that offer similar services or cater to the same target customers.
  • Study their offerings: Analyze the products and services offered by your competitors. Pay attention to their quality, range, customization options, and pricing.
  • Assess their market positioning: Understand how your competitors position themselves within the market. Consider factors such as their brand reputation, target industries, and unique value propositions.
  • Evaluate their strengths and weaknesses: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors. This could include factors like their manufacturing capabilities, customer service, technology adoption, or supply chain efficiency.
  • Examine their pricing strategies: Look into how your competitors price their services. Are they charging premium rates for specialized offerings or adopting cost-effective pricing models?

Tips for analyzing competitors:

  • Conduct online research, including reviewing their websites, social media profiles, and customer reviews.
  • Consider conducting mystery shopping to experience their customer service first-hand.
  • Participate in industry events and trade shows to gather information about your competitors.
  • Seek feedback from customers who have used your competitors' services to understand their experiences and areas for improvement.

Analyzing your competitors allows you to gain a competitive edge by differentiating your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service. By understanding what sets you apart from the competition, you can highlight your unique selling proposition and tailor your marketing and sales strategies accordingly.

Define Your Unique Selling Proposition

Defining your unique selling proposition (USP) is crucial in differentiating your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service from competitors and enticing potential customers. Your USP is what sets you apart and makes your business stand out in the market. It is a clear and compelling statement that communicates the specific value and benefits your service offers.

To define your USP, consider the following:

  • Evaluate your strengths and expertise: Identify the areas where your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service excels. Is it the use of cutting-edge technology, the ability to produce high-quality and intricate designs, or the speed and efficiency of your manufacturing process? Highlight these strengths to establish your USP.
  • Understand customer needs: Conduct thorough market research to understand what potential customers are looking for in a 3D printing service. Are they seeking customization, fast turnaround times, or cost-effective solutions? Tailor your USP to address these needs and position your service as the ideal solution.
  • Emphasize your competitive advantage: Analyze your competitors to identify their weaknesses or gaps in the market that you can exploit. Your USP should highlight what makes you better or different from the competition, whether it's offering a wider range of materials, superior customer service, or innovative manufacturing techniques.

Tips for Defining Your Unique Selling Proposition:

  • Be specific and concise: Your USP should be easy to understand and communicate in a few clear sentences.
  • Highlight benefits: Focus on the unique benefits and advantages your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service offers to customers.
  • Test your USP: Share your USP with potential customers or industry experts to gather feedback and ensure its effectiveness.

Once you have defined your USP, incorporate it into your marketing materials, website, and branding to effectively communicate your value proposition to your target audience. Remember, a strong and compelling USP can help attract and retain customers, giving your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service a competitive edge in the market.

Assess Financial Feasibility

Assessing the financial feasibility of your 3D printing manufacturing service is crucial to determine the potential profitability and sustainability of your business. By conducting a thorough financial analysis, you can gain valuable insights into the initial investment required, operating costs, revenue projections, and potential return on investment.

Here are the key steps to assess the financial feasibility:

  • 1. Estimate start-up costs: Determine the expenses involved in setting up your 3D printing manufacturing service, including the cost of purchasing 3D printers, raw materials, software, facility rental, and any necessary equipment. Consider expenses such as permits, licenses, marketing, and insurance.
  • 2. Project revenue streams: Identify the different sources of revenue for your business, such as charging customers for each print job, offering subscription plans, or providing value-added services. Conduct market research to estimate the demand for your services and project the potential sales volume.
  • 3. Calculate operating costs: Determine the recurring expenses you will incur to keep your business running smoothly. This includes costs such as electricity, maintenance, labor, software licenses, and marketing materials.
  • 4. Perform a break-even analysis: Calculate the volume of print jobs or customers required to cover your fixed and variable costs, and start generating profit. This analysis helps you determine if your business model and pricing strategy are feasible in the long run.
  • Consider leasing or financing options for acquiring expensive equipment to reduce your initial investment.
  • Ensure that your pricing structure covers all your costs while remaining competitive in the market.
  • Regularly review and update your financial projections to reflect the evolving nature of the 3D printing industry.

By conducting a comprehensive assessment of the financial feasibility of your 3D printing manufacturing service, you can make informed decisions about your business's growth potential, identify potential challenges, and develop strategies to mitigate risks. It is important to work closely with financial experts or consultants who specialize in the manufacturing industry to ensure accuracy and reliability in your financial analysis.

Determine Pricing Strategies

Setting the right pricing strategies for your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service is crucial for the success and profitability of your business. It involves careful consideration of various factors such as costs, competition, and customer value proposition. Here are some important steps to help you determine the optimal pricing strategies:

  • Analyze your costs: Begin by assessing all the costs involved in your manufacturing process, including raw materials, equipment, labor, and overhead expenses. Understanding your costs will help you determine the minimum price you need to set to cover your expenses and make a profit.
  • Consider market demand: Assess the demand for 3D printing manufacturing services in your target industries and geographical areas. If the demand is high and the market is competitive, you may be able to set higher prices. On the other hand, if the demand is low or you face significant competition, you may need to price your services more competitively.
  • Evaluate your unique selling proposition (USP): Consider the value and benefits your 3D printing manufacturing service offers compared to your competitors. If you provide faster turnaround times, superior quality, or unique customization options, you may be able to justify higher prices. Your USP will help you differentiate your business and justify your pricing.
  • Research your competitors: Analyze the pricing strategies of your direct and indirect competitors in the 3D printing manufacturing industry. This will give you insights into the prevailing market prices and help you position your pricing accordingly. Consider offering competitive pricing or value-added services to attract customers.
  • Understand customer value: Determine the value your customers place on your 3D printing manufacturing services. Conduct customer surveys, interviews, or focus groups to gather feedback and understand their willingness to pay. Align your pricing with the value customers perceive in your offerings.
  • Consider offering different pricing tiers or packages based on customer needs, such as volume discounts for bulk orders or subscription-based pricing for frequent customers.
  • Regularly review and adjust your pricing strategies based on changes in market conditions, costs, and customer feedback.
  • Offer transparent pricing and clearly communicate the value customers receive for their investment in your services.

By considering these factors and implementing effective pricing strategies, you will be able to position your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service competitively in the market while ensuring profitability and customer satisfaction.

Outline Marketing And Advertising Plans

Marketing and advertising are crucial components of promoting your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service and attracting customers. By implementing effective strategies, you can create awareness about your service, generate leads, and ultimately drive sales. Here is an outline of what you should consider when outlining your marketing and advertising plans:

1. Identify your target audience: Clearly define the industries, businesses, and individuals who are most likely to benefit from your 3D printing manufacturing service. Understanding your target audience will help you tailor your marketing messages and reach out to the right people.

2. Craft a compelling brand story: Develop a unique and engaging brand story that highlights the value and benefits your service brings to customers. This story should resonate with your audience and differentiate your business from competitors.

3. Determine your marketing channels: Consider the most effective marketing channels to reach your target audience. This may include digital platforms such as social media, online advertising, search engine optimization, and email marketing, as well as traditional channels like print ads or industry-specific publications.

4. Build a professional website: Your website is often the first point of contact for potential customers. Ensure it is user-friendly, visually appealing, and provides relevant information about your service. Optimize it for search engines to improve your online visibility.

5. Utilize content marketing: Create valuable and informative content that showcases your expertise in the field of 3D printing manufacturing. Share this content through blog posts, videos, case studies, or infographics to establish yourself as a trusted authority and attract potential customers.

6. Leverage social media: Engage with your target audience on social media platforms that are popular in your industry. Share relevant content, interact with followers, and participate in industry discussions to build brand awareness and foster customer relationships.

7. Consider paid advertising: If budget allows, explore paid advertising options such as Google Ads or social media ads. Develop targeted campaigns that reach your desired audience and drive traffic to your website or landing pages.

8. Implement referral programs: Encourage satisfied customers to refer your 3D printing manufacturing service to others by offering incentives or rewards. This can help generate organic word-of-mouth marketing and expand your customer base.

  • Create a marketing calendar to ensure consistency and organization in your marketing efforts.
  • Monitor and analyze your marketing metrics regularly to determine the effectiveness of your strategies and make necessary adjustments.
  • Consider attending industry trade shows or conferences to showcase your service and connect with potential customers.

By outlining your marketing and advertising plans, you can establish a strong presence in the market and effectively communicate the value of your 3D printing manufacturing service to your target audience.

Create A Comprehensive Sales Strategy

Creating a comprehensive sales strategy is essential for the success of your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service. It involves identifying your target customers, understanding their needs and preferences, and developing effective techniques to promote and sell your services in the market.

1. Identify and Segment Your Target Customers: Start by identifying the industries and businesses that can benefit from your personalized and on-demand manufacturing solutions. Determine the specific characteristics and requirements of your target customers, such as their size, geographic location, and purchasing power. Segment your target customers based on these factors to tailor your sales approach.

2. Define Your Value Proposition: Clearly communicate your unique selling proposition (USP) to differentiate yourself from competitors. Highlight the benefits of your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service, such as quick turnaround time, cost-effectiveness, and ability to produce complex designs. This will help attract customers who are seeking personalized and efficient manufacturing solutions.

3. Develop Effective Sales Channels: Determine the most appropriate sales channels to reach and engage with your target customers. This may include direct sales through a sales team, e-commerce platforms, or partnerships with distributors and resellers. Utilize multiple channels to maximize your reach and accessibility to potential customers.

4. Establish Pricing Strategies: Set competitive pricing for your services based on factors such as production costs, market demand, and value delivered. Consider offering different pricing tiers or discounts for bulk orders or long-term partnerships. Ensure that your pricing strategy aligns with your target customers' expectations and budget.

5. Train and Equip Your Sales Team: Invest in training and equipping your sales team with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively promote and sell your 3D Printing Manufacturing Service. Provide them with detailed product information, case studies, and sales materials to showcase the benefits and capabilities of your service.

6. Track and Measure Sales Performance: Implement a system to track and measure your sales performance regularly. Analyze key metrics such as conversion rates, customer acquisition costs, and customer satisfaction levels. This will help you identify areas for improvement and fine-tune your sales strategy to achieve better results.

Tips for Creating an Effective Sales Strategy:

  • Understand your customers' pain points and position your service as the solution.
  • Build long-term relationships with customers through excellent customer service.
  • Constantly monitor industry trends and adapt your sales strategy accordingly.
  • Collaborate with other businesses or influencers to expand your reach.
  • Utilize technology and automation tools to streamline your sales processes.

Develop a Detailed Operational Plan

Once you have identified your target customers, assessed the market, and determined the financial feasibility of your 3D printing manufacturing service, it's time to develop a detailed operational plan . This plan outlines the day-to-day activities, processes, and resources required to effectively run your business and deliver high-quality manufacturing solutions to your customers.

1. Define your production process: Start by outlining the step-by-step procedures involved in your manufacturing service. This includes everything from receiving customer orders, selecting appropriate materials, setting up and operating the 3D printers, post-processing, quality control, packaging, and shipping.

2. Allocate resources: Identify the equipment, software, materials, and manpower needed to carry out your production process. Determine the quantity and specifications of 3D printers required, consider the software licenses needed for design and modeling, and consider establishing partnerships with material suppliers.

3. Ensure quality control: Establish a rigorous quality control process to ensure that every product that leaves your facility meets high standards. Implement regular checks and inspections at each stage of the production process and have a system in place to address any issues or defects that may arise.

4. Establish supply chain management: Define your sourcing and procurement strategy for materials and other resources. Identify reliable suppliers and establish relationships with them to ensure a steady supply of raw materials and reduce lead times. Implement inventory management systems to streamline ordering and minimize waste.

5. Develop a production schedule: Create a detailed production schedule that includes timelines for every step in the manufacturing process. Consider factors such as order volume, order priority, machine maintenance, and personnel availability to ensure smooth operations and meet customer deadlines.

6. Document standard operating procedures: Documenting your standard operating procedures (SOPs) is crucial for maintaining consistency and efficiency in your operations. Include detailed guidelines for each aspect of your business, from machine setup and maintenance to packaging and shipping, to ensure that every team member follows the same procedures.

  • Regularly review and update your operational plan to adapt to changing market conditions and advancements in technology.
  • Invest in ongoing training for your staff to keep them up-to-date with the latest 3D printing techniques and technologies.
  • Consider implementing a lean manufacturing approach to minimize waste and optimize efficiency.
  • Establish strong communication channels with your team to facilitate smooth coordination and problem-solving.

A comprehensive operational plan is essential for ensuring the smooth functioning of your 3D printing manufacturing service. By developing a detailed plan that covers each aspect of your operations, you can streamline processes, maintain consistency, and deliver high-quality products to your customers in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

In conclusion, developing a business plan for a 3D Printing Manufacturing Service involves conducting thorough market research, identifying target customers, analyzing competitors, defining a unique selling proposition, assessing financial feasibility, determining pricing strategies, outlining marketing and advertising plans, creating a comprehensive sales strategy, and developing a detailed operational plan. By following these nine steps, businesses can lay a strong foundation for success in the rapidly growing field of 3D printing manufacturing.

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Unleashing the Profit Potential of 3D Printing Business: A Comprehensive Guide to Startup Costs and Returns

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Startup Costs

  • 3D printer acquisition
  • Software and design tools purchase
  • Office and workstation setup

Raw materials inventory purchase

  • Marketing and advertising expense

Salaries and wages for technicians and staff

  • Training and development for employees

It's no secret that 3D printing is taking the world by storm. This cutting-edge technology has been gaining momentum in various sectors and has seen a steady increase in demand over the past decade. With the global 3D printing market growing at a CAGR of over 14% and expected to reach $34.8 billion in 2024, many entrepreneurs are considering starting their own 3D printing business.

If you are one of them, you must be wondering how much it costs to launch a 3D printing business. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, starting such a business can range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars. To help you assess the startup expenses, we have put together a comprehensive guide on the costs associated with opening a 3D printing business.

  • What are the essential startup costs, and how can you keep them to a minimum?
  • Which equipment and software do you need to invest in?
  • What are the ongoing expenses you should budget for?

Read on to learn more about how you can launch your own 3D printing business and make a mark in this exciting industry.

Opening a 3D printing business requires a significant capital investment in terms of acquiring equipment, software, raw materials, office space, and marketing. The cost depends on the type of 3D printing services you plan to offer, the equipment you need, and the size of your business.

This table offers a rough estimate of the startup costs for a 3D printing business. Apart from these expenses, you might also need to pay for permits and licenses and lease a business space. The cost of equipment depends on factors such as technology, speed, accuracy, durability, and build volume.

Software and design tools are necessary for creating 3D models, preparing files for printing, and ensuring quality control. You'll also need to buy a computer, hardware, and peripherals for your employees.

An office and workstation setup can help with making your business space appealing to customers, ensuring employee comfort, and facilitating efficient workflow. You need to buy desks, chairs, lighting, storage, and other furniture and fixtures.

Raw materials like various types of filaments and resins, specialty materials, tools, and finishing products are essential to produce 3D-printed items. You need to purchase raw materials from reliable suppliers who can offer you competitive prices and consistent quality.

Marketing and advertising expense are crucial to raise business awareness, engage customers, and build your brand reputation. You might need to run online ads, participate in trade shows, and distribute pamphlets and brochures to promote your business.

Your final startup cost will depend on the type of technicians and staff you hire and how much you pay them. Proper training and skill development can help your employees to handle equipment and software and fulfill customer orders with precision and speed.

By understanding the typical startup costs involved in opening a 3D printing business, you can plan your budget and investment strategy accordingly. Keep in mind that starting capital is only one part of the equation. You also need to have a viable business plan, a target market, and a competent team to succeed in this competitive industry.

3D Printer Acquisition

If you're considering starting a 3D printing business, you're likely wondering what the startup costs will be. The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer, as the cost of starting a 3D printing business can vary depending on several factors. However, to give you an idea, here are some recent statistical information:

  • The average cost of a home 3D printer ranges from $200 to $1,500.
  • The cost of a professional-grade 3D printer can range from $15,000 to $250,000.
  • For a 3D printing service bureau, the startup cost can be anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000.

These costs only account for the 3D printer acquisition. So, what else do you need to factor in?

Other Startup Costs/Expenses:

  • Materials: The cost of materials can vary greatly depending on what you're printing and the quality of materials you're using. A spool of filament can cost between $20 and $60, while a liter of resin can cost between $100 and $200.
  • Software: 3D printing software can range from free to $10,000 or more.
  • Workspace: You'll need a dedicated workspace to perform your 3D printing. Whether it's a room in your home or a warehouse space, you'll need to factor in the cost of rent/mortgage, utilities, and any necessary equipment such as tables and lighting.
  • Marketing: You'll need to get the word out about your business. Depending on how you plan to market your 3D printing services, you may need to budget for graphic design, website development, and advertising.
  • Employees: If you plan to hire employees, you'll need to factor in the cost of payroll, benefits, and any necessary training.

Tips & Tricks:

  • Consider starting small and gradually investing in more advanced equipment as your business grows.
  • Take advantage of free or low-cost software solutions before investing in high-end software.
  • Networking is key. Attend industry conferences and trade shows to connect with potential clients and suppliers.

Remember, starting a 3D printing business is an investment. You may not see a return on your investment immediately, but with hard work and dedication, you can build a thriving business.

Software and design tools purchase startup costs/expenses

Starting a 3D printing business can be an exciting and lucrative venture. However, before jumping into the business, it is essential to understand the costs involved in starting and running a successful 3D printing business. One of the first expenses you will encounter will be the software and design tools purchase. Here are the latest statistical information in USD:

  • 3D software: The cost of 3D printing software can range from $50 to $10,000. Some of the popular software in the market include Autodesk, Blender, Fusion 360, and SketchUp.
  • Design tools: The cost of design tools can vary depending on the complexity and features. You can use free tools such as Tinkercad and 123D Design or paid tools such as SolidWorks and Rhino 3D. The cost of paid tools can range from $1,000 to $5,000.

With the advancement of technology, more affordable and accessible software and tools are becoming available. Here are some tips and tricks to minimize your costs:

Tips and Tricks

  • Consider using open-source software such as FreeCAD and OpenSCAD, which are free and provide similar features as paid software.
  • Use online design tools such as Tinkercad, which is free and browser-based, eliminating the need for costly hardware and software upgrades.
  • Choose scalable software that grows with your business needs. You can start with free or low-cost software and upgrade to paid versions as your business grows.

It is important to consider the initial cost of software and tools when starting your 3D printing business, but also keep in mind the long-term costs, such as updates and licensing fees. By doing proper research and utilizing cost-saving tips, you can minimize your upfront costs and set your business for success.

Office and Workstation Setup:

Starting a 3D printing business requires a considerable amount of planning and investment, especially when it comes to office and workstation setup. According to industry statistics, the average cost of setting up an office and workstation for a 3D printing startup in the US ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. However, this cost can vary depending on several factors such as location, size of the workspace, and the type of 3D printing technology used.

Here's a breakdown of the costs you can expect to cover when setting up your 3D printing business:

  • Workspace Rental: The cost of renting a workspace can vary drastically depending on the geographical location of your business. In high-demand areas, rental costs can range between $2,000 to $3,000 per month. However, if you're looking to set up your business in a more affordable location, rental costs can be as low as $500 per month.
  • Equipment: The cost of 3D printing equipment can vary depending on the type and quality of technology you choose to invest in. Entry-level 3D printers can range between $500 to $1,000. However, if you're looking for higher quality and advanced features, the price can go up to $15,000 or more.
  • Software: 3D printing software is an essential part of your business that is worth investing in. You'll need 3D modeling software, CAD software and slicer software to finish your projects. Choose a software like AutoCAD ($1,690 per year), SolidWorks (starting at $3,995), and Simplify3D ($150 one-time purchase) depending on your business requirement.
  • Materials: You'll need a variety of materials to produce 3D printed objects, from filament to resin or powder. The average cost of 3D printing materials ranges from $20 to $100 per kilogram, depending on the type of materials you're using and the supplier you choose.
  • Operational Expenses: Other essential expenses you'll need to consider are electricity, internet, and water bills, trash and recycling expenses, and insurance fees. The total cost of these expenses usually ranges between $500 to $1,000 per month.
  • Look for a spacious workspace that you can equip with more than one 3D printer. This will allow you to maximize your production capacity and serve more customers in less time.
  • Consider investing in eco-friendly and more sustainable 3D printing materials. This will not only help you showcase your eco-friendliness and environmental responsibility but also reduces the production cost.
  • Try to negotiate with equipment distributors and suppliers to get more affordable deals and discounts. Buying equipment and materials in bulk can also save costs.

By following these tips and budgeting accordingly, you can efficiently manage the amount you need to invest in your 3D printing business. Always remember to plan ahead and stay on top of your expenses and resources!

To provide an effective cost analysis, you'll need to gather all the relevant information regarding the raw materials you need. Based on the type of 3D printing you intend to do, your inventory may include plastic filaments, resins, metal powders, and other specialized materials. In general, the better the material quality, the higher the cost. However, you can reduce your expenses by purchasing materials in bulk.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Buy in bulk: Purchasing larger quantities of raw materials will help you save money in the long run. Find a supplier that offers bulk discounts to help you keep your expenses down.
  • Research for deals: Look for deals and discounts on online marketplaces such as Amazon or eBay to cut down on costs. You can also check out local suppliers who may offer better pricing and faster deliveries.
  • Stretch your materials: You can reduce your expenses by stretching out your inventory with the right technique. Experiment with slicing your 3D models differently, adjusting your printing settings and using alternative materials to make your base material last longer.

Starting a 3D printing business can be rewarding, but it requires careful planning and budgeting. By keeping an eye on your raw materials inventory purchase, you'll be able to maximize profits while minimizing expenses.

Marketing and Advertising Expense for Starting a 3D Printing Business

To help you plan your marketing and advertising expenses, consider these key factors:

Tips and Tricks for Planning Your Marketing and Advertising Expenses

  • Start Early: Begin planning your marketing and advertising strategies as soon as possible before launching your 3D printing business. This will give you time to research your target audience, determine the best marketing channels, and create effective campaigns.
  • Choose the Right Channels: With so many different marketing channels available, it's important to choose the ones that will be most effective for your business and target customers. Consider options like social media advertising, email marketing, and pay-per-click advertising.
  • Monitor Your Results: Once you have launched your marketing campaigns, be sure to monitor their effectiveness. Use tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic and other metrics, and adjust your strategies as needed to achieve better results.

In addition to the expenses associated with developing and implementing marketing and advertising strategies, there may be ongoing costs for maintaining your brand image and reaching your target audience.

One of the biggest expenses for any 3D printing business is salaries and wages for technicians and other staff. According to the latest statistics, the average median salary for a technician in the United States is around $46,000 per year. This number can vary depending on the level of experience and the specific region where the business is located.

In addition to technicians, you will also need administrative and support staff to help keep the business running smoothly. The median salary for administrative staff in the US is around $38,000 per year, which is another expense to consider when starting a 3D printing business.

  • Employee benefits, such as healthcare and retirement plans, which can add significantly to your overhead costs.
  • Training and development programs to help ensure that your staff is able to stay up-to-date with the latest technology and techniques.
  • Potential relocation or other compensation packages for highly qualified candidates who are considering joining your team.

Tips and tricks for managing salaries and wages for technicians and staff

  • Consider outsourcing certain roles or tasks to help minimize your labor costs. For example, you may be able to use freelance technicians or administrative assistants for certain projects or tasks.
  • Provide opportunities for professional growth and development to help keep your staff motivated and engaged. This can include training courses, industry conferences, or other networking opportunities.
  • Consider implementing a bonus or profit-sharing program to help incentivize your staff to work hard and contribute to the success of the business. This can help reduce turnover and keep your best employees motivated to perform at their best.

Ultimately, salaries and wages for technicians and staff can be a significant expense when starting a 3D printing business. However, with careful planning and management, you can ensure that these costs are minimized and that your staff is motivated to work hard and contribute to the success of the business.

Training and Development for Employees Startup Costs/Expenses

According to a recent report by Capterra, the average cost of employee training in the US is around $1000-$1500 per employee. This cost is inclusive of the training sessions, materials, and technology required to deliver the training. For startups, this cost can be a significant portion of their budget, especially if they have a large team.

In addition to the direct costs of the training, startups also need to consider the indirect costs associated with employee development. This includes the time taken away from work, the cost of lost productivity, and the cost of materials and equipment required for the training. These indirect costs can add up to a substantial amount over time, impacting the overall profitability of the business.

  • Consider investing in online training resources, as they can be more cost-effective compared to in-person training sessions
  • Create a clear and concise training plan that outlines the learning objectives and desired outcomes for each training session
  • Track the progress and effectiveness of the training programs to ensure that they are providing value to the employees and the business as a whole

Another cost to consider is the cost of hiring or outsourcing trainers. As startups grow, it may become necessary to hire trainers who are specialized in specific areas of the business. This cost can vary depending on the experience and expertise of the trainers, but can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars per day. Alternatively, some startups opt to outsource their training needs to a third-party provider or consultant.

Lastly, startups need to factor in the ongoing cost of employee development and training. Since technology and business practices are constantly evolving, it's crucial to ensure that employees are up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. This means that companies need to allocate a budget for ongoing training and development to keep their employees knowledgeable and skilled.

Starting a 3D printing business can be a lucrative venture, but the startup costs can vary widely depending on your goals and plans. As we have shown, the essential expenses can range from a few thousand dollars to over $100,000 .

However, with careful planning and an understanding of the industry, you can keep your expenses under control and maximize your returns. Investing in the right equipment, software, and materials is crucial, and you should also budget for ongoing expenses such as maintenance, lease, and marketing.

If you are willing to put in the effort and resources necessary, a 3D printing business can be an exciting and challenging venture. With the global market expected to exceed $34 billion by 2024, there has never been a better time to launch your own 3D printing business and make your mark in this rapidly-growing industry.

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3D Printing Business Plan

3d printing business plan presentation, free google slides theme and powerpoint template.

3D printing is becoming more and more fashionable. It really looks like magic, doesn't it? If you have a company that does it and you need to create the business plan, this template is perfect for you. It has an abstract and simple, yet creative style. It perfectly combines blue and pink colors, which convey confidence and generosity. We have included several 3D shapes, in tune with the theme of the presentation and resources such as graphs, slides to define your target and market share, or comparative tables, among others.

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3D Printing Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

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IV. Customer Analysis

This Section's Contents

Demographic Profile of Target Market

Customer segmentation.

[Company Name] will serve small businesses, government organizations, high schools, colleges and universities.

The Company will primarily target the following three customer segments:

  • Small Businesses : The Company will help businesses with prototyping or low-volume manufacturing by offering its 3D printing services.
  • Government Organizations : The Company will also target government organizations that require a variety of 3D printing services.
  • High Schools, Colleges and Universities : The Company will support educational institutions in selecting the necessary equipment, resources, and training required while implementing 3D printing objects.

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3D Printing Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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  2. The Ultimate Guide to Starting a 3D Printing Business in a Month

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  3. 3D Printing Business Plan Template & Guide [Updated 2024]

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  4. A Sample 3D Printing Business Plan Template

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COMMENTS

  1. 3D Printing Business Plan Template & Guide [Updated 2024]

    Learn how to write a business plan for a 3D printing business with this comprehensive template and guide. Find out the types of 3D printing businesses, the industry analysis, the customer analysis, and the financial plan.

  2. How To Start a 3D Printing Business & Which Sector To Choose

    Learn the basics of 3D printing technology, software, and materials, and how to create a business plan for your 3D printing business. Find out which 3D printer and supplies to choose, and how to sell your products or services online or on platforms like Treatstock and Makexyz.

  3. 3D Printing Business Plan Template (2024)

    Download a customizable 3D printing business plan template with financial model and industry analysis. Learn how to start or grow your own 3D printing company with examples and tips.

  4. How To Start a 3D Printing Business (2023)

    The 3D printing process can speed up product development and involves five fundamental steps: 1. Designing. A designer creates a 3D model of the desired object using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Alternatively, they can copy the structure of an existing product by scanning it with a 3D scanner.

  5. 3D Printing Business Plan [Sample Template for 2022]

    Below are the sales projections for Crop & Clip 3D Printing™, LLC, it is based on the location of our business and of course the wide range of our services and target market; First Fiscal Year-: $250,000. Second Fiscal Year-: $400,000. Third Fiscal Year-: $750,000.

  6. How to Start a Profitable 3D Printing Business [11 Steps]

    4. Formalize your business registration. When starting a 3D printing business, formalizing your business registration is a crucial step. This process will vary depending on where you live, but it generally involves registering your business with the appropriate local, state, or federal authorities.

  7. The #1 3D Printing Business Plan Template & Guidebook

    1. Describe the Purpose of Your 3D Printing Business. The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your 3d printing business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers' problems.

  8. How to write a business plan for a 3D printing business

    6. The operations section. When writing the operations section of a 3D printing company business plan, it is important to include key information about the staffing team, suppliers and assets held by the business. Outline qualifications held by staff and any experience relevant to 3D printing.

  9. 3D Printing Business Plan Template (2024)

    Writing a 3d printing business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan: 1. Executive Summary. An executive summary is the first section of the business plan intended to provide an overview of the whole business plan. Generally, it is written after the entire ...

  10. How To Start A 3D Printing Business

    If you wish to sell 3D printed customized parts to companies, you can start by selecting a niche. 2. Plan your 3D printing startup costs. Opening such a business is not expensive. The vast majority of shops start in someone's home, so there is no lease, utility, or staff salary to pay every month.

  11. The Ultimate Guide to Creating a 3D Printing Service Business Plan: A

    This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of creating a 3D printing service business plan, providing you with a step-by-step template to follow. 1. Executive Summary:\. The executive summary is the opening section of your business plan and provides an overview of your 3D printing service business.

  12. 3D Printing Company Business Plan Template

    Starting a 3D printing company today offers tremendous potential for entrepreneurs. The technology's versatility spans across various industries, ensuring a wide customer base. There's a growing demand for customized products, and 3D printing provides unmatched flexibility to meet these needs. The decreasing costs of equipment and materials make entry into the market more accessible for ...

  13. How to Write 3d Printing Business Plan? Guide & Template

    3. Industry Analysis. Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the 3D printing industry. Explore market trends, growth projections, and potential challenges. 4. Customer Analysis. Understand your ...

  14. How To Create a 3D Printing Business Plan: Essential Checklist

    1. Estimate start-up costs: Determine the expenses involved in setting up your 3D printing manufacturing service, including the cost of purchasing 3D printers, raw materials, software, facility rental, and any necessary equipment. Consider expenses such as permits, licenses, marketing, and insurance. 2.

  15. 3D Printing Business Plan Template

    39 page 3D Printing business plan template with base financials and references. This 3D Printing business plan template will be delivered via digital download in fully editable Microsoft Word and includes a 3D Printing business pre-written example text, general industry research, general financials, example graphs and charts, references, and ...

  16. Launching a 3D Printing Business: What's the Cost?

    The average cost of a home 3D printer ranges from $200 to $1,500. The cost of a professional-grade 3D printer can range from $15,000 to $250,000. For a 3D printing service bureau, the startup cost can be anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000. These costs only account for the 3D printer acquisition.

  17. 3D Printing Business Plan PowerPoint and Google Slides Template

    Our 3D Printing Business Plan presentation template for MS PowerPoint and Google Slides is ideal for presenting your company's long-term objectives, sales and marketing initiatives, value proposition, and financial projections in a visually appealing manner.

  18. 3D Printing Business Plan

    If you have a company that does it and you need to create the business plan, this template is perfect for you. It has an abstract and simple, yet creative style. It perfectly combines blue and pink colors, which convey confidence and generosity. We have included several 3D shapes, in tune with the theme of the presentation and resources such as ...

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    690 templates. Create a blank Business Plan. Beige Aesthetic Modern Business Plan A4 Document. Document by Rise & Roar Design. Navy and Gray Modern Business Plan Cover Document. Document by Banuaa. Startup Business Plan. Document by Maea Studio. Blue White Simple Business Plan Cover Page.

  20. 3D Printing Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

    Hiring Plan. [Founder] will serve as the CEO. In order to launch the 3D printing press, the company will need to hire the following personnel: Use this free 3D printing business plan template to easily create a great business plan to start or grow your business.

  21. How To Start a 3D Printing Business

    The 3D printing process can speed up product development and involves five fundamental steps: 1. Designing. A designer creates a 3D model of the desired object using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Alternatively, they can copy the structure of an existing product by scanning it with a 3D scanner.

  22. 3D Printing Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

    Customer Segmentation. The Company will primarily target the following three customer segments: Small Businesses: The Company will help businesses with prototyping or low-volume manufacturing by offering its 3D printing services.; Government Organizations: The Company will also target government organizations that require a variety of 3D printing services.