Printing figurines on a 3D printer
3D printer is a great tool for education and creativity. However, it can also become an additional or main source of income. For example, by printing three-dimensional models or figurines on it. They can be sold with a large markup.
Areas of application of 3D printing for various figurines
The areas of application are limited only by your imagination and the level of demand. By 2021, several areas can be highlighted from which to draw ideas:
Heroes of fantasy movies or games. Various characters from famous MMORPG fantasy and science fiction movies and game applications. Special popularity is gained by printing figurines of characters created by players themselves.
Figurines or models of military equipment. This refers more to the figures that are not available for sale. These can be fantastic ships, robots, cyborgs, transformers, and other complex mechanisms.
Sets of toy soldiers. Here, quantity matters more than quality. For example, creating a miniature army of characters from the movie "The Avengers". Knights, samurai warriors, knights, and Vikings – all of this can become a set in a single copy.
Figurines depicting different events involving people. These can be some battle scenes-dioramas where one warrior is attacking another; romantic couples from movies or games; various staged scenes, and more.
Figures of people and animals. A growing industry where people order their own portraits or full-fledged figures: relatives, colleagues, friends, beloved pets.
Busts of famous personalities. From presidents to villains of popular movies.
It is worth noting that some figurines can be sold without much post-processing. For example, sets of soldiers. They do not need to be painted. However, it is important to consider age restrictions and not sell sets to young children. Figures with high detail and finishing paint will be more expensive than regular plastic models.
It is important not to mass-produce and sell figures of any famous character from a movie or game. Each such character is subject to copyright. Violating it can result in a fine of more than 100,000 rubles.
Most famous cases
Let's consider 3 cases of the most popular figurines found in the Russian-speaking Internet, based on three similar areas:
Master Yoda. One of the most famous and colorful characters from the "Star Wars" movie saga. A fairly straightforward figurine that every fan of the movie will want to have in their collection.
Diorama depicting the character of Wolverine from the movie "X-Men". It shows the main character in a fighting stance with a defeated enemy lying beneath him.
Bust of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. This model is actively sold on the "Ozon" marketplace and is very popular. Profiles of politicians are a very profitable niche when working with government customers or finding your own audience.
These examples are just a few of the most popular figurines that have a constant demand.
How to print figurines on a 3D printer?
To print figurines, you will need to buy a suitable printer, consumables for it, and also master the basics of 3D printing. Another point to consider is the complexity of the models and post-processing. For example, to create figures with high detail and small elements, you will need higher quality equipment.
3D printing technologies
Of the most well-known printing technologies, 2 types of printers that are suitable for making figurines can be distinguished:
FDM devices. The basic technology of plastic deposition. The figure is obtained by the successive extrusion of plastic under the action of high temperatures. This is a slow but the cheapest method. When creating a figurine on an FDM printer, you can expect a long post-processing process. Low detail.
SLA units. Stereolithographic sintering technology. Layers of the figures are formed by instant sintering of a whole section of photopolymer with a thickness of a fraction of a millimeter. This is a fast and high-quality method. The figures are more precise. SLA devices have a lower percentage of defects and do not have as many printing defects. However, the final cost of a figure on an SLA printer exceeds the cost of a similar product on an FDM printer by an order of magnitude.
If you are considering a printer specifically for commercial purposes, it is better to start with FDM printers. SLA devices can be purchased later when the printer can raise prices without risking loss of income. Photopolymer printers are used to create figures with high detail.
Expendable materials
In this article, we will consider consumables specifically for FDM printers, as most printers use these devices. When making figurines, you will need simple plastic such as:
ABS – the most common and inexpensive type of filament;
PLA – biodegradable and environmentally friendly material.
ABS is a more reliable and durable material, but it has its drawbacks. It shrinks more during work. You will need to adjust the printer several times. PLA is suitable for beginners. So to speak, to gain experience. In terms of price/quality ratio, it is still better to choose ABS and ultimately switch to it.
Printers
The choice of a printer depends on one main criterion – finances. If you have the money, it is worth getting a model with a larger print area, a heated bed, and a reliable and stable frame. A good solution would be to buy a printer with a dual extruder. This will allow you to print models of several colors in one go. More fast and productive models can be purchased when the user has a printing queue for several weeks in advance.
For a beginner, a printer for 20,000-25,000 rubles will be sufficient. For example, models such as ANYCUBIC I3 MEGA S or Creality Ender-3 Pro. Both devices cost around 21,000 rubles in February - March 2021.
Scanners
To make full-fledged busts or profiles of people, a scanner is required. For all other figurines, ready-made solutions on the internet are sufficient. It should be noted that the cost of a quality scanner can be several times higher than that of a 3D printer. Sometimes the cost of a quality scanner exceeds the mark of 100,000-200,000 rubles.
The future of 3D printing figurines
This issue can be considered in two aspects:
Personal financial benefit. The final cost of a completed figure is 5-10 times lower than its actual cost. The business can pay off after selling 50 figures.
The overall development of the industry. Since 2016, the 3D printing market has grown more than 15 times. The industry is developing and growing by leaps and bounds. This would not have been possible without the corresponding demand.
Today, printing figures and busts of ordinary people is becoming increasingly popular. This niche is well developed in the West, in Europe, and China. It is also popular in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the regions, this direction is just emerging. Consequently, the prospects are very good.
How to start a business?
Like any commercial project, printing figurines on a 3D printer requires careful preparation and calculations:
Choose a specific niche. This can be printing characters from fantasy games or horror movie heroes. Today, printing mini-copies of customers is gaining great popularity. Different figures of newlyweds, elderly relatives, children – all of this is very expensive. However, a 3D scanner is required for printing such figurines, and this is an expensive device.
Calculate the initial estimate for equipment and consumables. Take into account your own capabilities and skills in 3D printing. Today, multi-colored and detailed printing is in demand, but it is also more expensive equipment. Do not forget to buy licensed software. This is an additional 10,000 rubles of the budget.
Calculate the expenses for renting premises, registering a business (individual entrepreneur or LLC). Official registration can cost from 10,000 to 15,000 rubles, including documentation, printing, and other formalities. Rent for the premises – from 10,000 rubles per month. Include three months of rent, as the business may not generate enough income to cover all expenses. Of course, you can start printing products at home, but it can be as risky. Not all household members will be happy to smell plastic fumes every day.
Calculate the business model. If you have limited funds, you can sell finished products through social media groups: "VKontakte", "Instagram", Facebook. Sometimes these platforms have a better sales effect than a full-fledged website. In the future, you can rent a premises/workshop with a storefront in a busy place. This way, you will be able to sell figurines directly from the counter.
When the business gains momentum, you can hire a dedicated salesperson who will take orders. You will also need an assistant who will take virtual molds from clients on-site. One of the key employees is an accountant. This specialist can be outsourced.
Organize safe and fast delivery to other regions. You need to offer several transport companies, but be careful about delivery times and quality. For example, "Russian Post" delivers as it turns out, while DHL will deliver the next day and in complete safety. However, the price difference will be an order of magnitude.
Be sure to collect feedback from customers and gradually increase turnover. Eventually, you will be able to become a full-fledged 3D printing studio.
Initially, you can act as an intermediary. Take orders from people and print the figures in a 3D printing studio. This way you can build your own customer base practically without financial investments.
3D printing of figurines is a in-demand and growing niche. There are many prospects that are just gaining momentum. If you decide to enter this business, it is worth carefully calculating all expenses and soberly assessing your own strengths, skills, and abilities. As an option, you can start by taking on order flows, to build up an initial customer base.
