How should I monetize my 3D printer design?

Posted by matthewhall on Monday August 29, 2016 @07:48AM
from the self-post dept.

I'm 16 years old and recently finished building a 3D printer from scratch. It's not revolutionary, but is quite good for the price range. I built it for 400USD. How can I make some money or profit somehow through this? My time is limited slightly by school but that's not much if an issue. You can email me directly at [email protected]

( 4 comments | 7 points | on HN )

Re:How should I monetize my 3D printer design? by taprun on Monday August 29, 2016 @09:52AM (#12381816)

Just because you don't think it's revolutionary, doesn't meet it might not sound revolutionary to someone else. Try getting some press from some news outlets that report "Young scientist builds new 3D printer technology in basement."

Tie this to a small online presence where you offer to print items for others (especially with sites focusing on youth education), and then you can describe yourself as a "Young scientist turned entrepreneur."

Take the articles/blog mentions about you received and get some funding from non-profits / local governments / big businesses that want to be associated with youth and entrepreneurship. Use that money to continue to work on your device and business.

Even if you don't wind up with anything revolutionary, you'll be able to write one heck of a college admissions essay, look great for future job prospects and have a pretty good business network. You could also take my advice, bundle it up into an ebook with your personal experiences and sell that too.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How should I monetize my 3D printer design? by matthewhall on Tuesday August 30, 2016 @11:07AM (#12390806)

Thanks. I was thinking about setting up a booth at our local community college's Tech Fest (a child oriented tech fair) to draw attention and poll to see who would want one.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How should I monetize my 3D printer design? by celticninja on Monday August 29, 2016 @08:43AM (#12381446)

Kickstarter as a project to build and produce it perhaps? You could just Kickstart it to make a working prototype and release the plans to backers instead of becoming a 3d printer manufacturer. Perhaps higher levels could be sent the necessary parts to construct their own.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How should I monetize my 3D printer design? by Ryanb58 on Monday August 29, 2016 @10:23AM (#12381997)

I suggest you create a blog then populate it with your own content and experiences. Remember to use good SEO.

Then either sell things you make with it or sell it itself.

[ Parent | on HN ]