Prototyping and small-batch 3D printing workshop

Product designers, engineers, startups, architects, manufacturers, trades businesses and educators.

Per-part or per-job pricing, repeat orders from regular business clients, and extra fees for design help, post-processing and fast turnaround.

• 3D modelling or CAD
• Knowledge of materials and print settings
• Quoting and project management
• Dealing with business clients

• Check the lease, zoning and council rules for the premises you want to use
• Check public liability and product liability insurance, especially if parts are used in machinery or other safety-related settings
• Confirm ownership of client designs and agree in writing who holds the intellectual property
• Resin and powders need safe storage, ventilation and disposal, so check work health and safety requirements in your state
• Machines running for long periods use power and need maintenance, so build this into your pricing
• Workers compensation insurance is needed once you hire staff, so check your state scheme

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the number and grade of printers, your premises and materials. Machines running for long periods use power and need maintenance, so build this into your pricing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your client numbers, job types and printer capacity. Power use and maintenance affect what you keep, so build them into your pricing.

Check the lease, zoning and council rules for your premises, and work health and safety requirements for resin and powders in your state. Confirm in writing who owns client designs, check product liability insurance, and check workers compensation once you hire staff.