How to Start Tabletop Miniature 3D printing Business from Home- A Complete Guide

How to Start 3D printing Business from Home [TABLETOP MINIATURE PRINTING using Nomad sculpt App, Lychee Software & Anycubic M3 3D printer]

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Making a variety of goods quickly, effectively, and sustainably is now simple thanks to the development of 3D printing, which produces multi-dimensional items.

The possibilities are essentially limitless. Additionally, a 3D printing business can be started from home. So, you’ve come to the perfect location if you want to launch this business but aren’t sure where to start.

This is how I did it and you can do it too. I started my 3d printing Business in Dec 2022 and it’s growing rapidly. So, I have done the legwork for you and compiled a free guide to getting your own 3D printing business up and running right now from your Home.

7 Steps to start your Tabletop Miniature 3D printing Business from Home[ using Nomad Sculpt App]

• Research and find your Niche- [ For Instance -My niche is Bust 3D Tabletop Figurines]
• Learn Nomad sculpt – 3D Sculpting App[ If you are not already]
• Get your Business Registered and get a domain name
• Create the 3d Models Using Nomad sculpt App
• 3D print the Models using Resin 3D printers like Anycubic M3
• Launch your Tabletop Miniature 3D printing Business Online
• Market your Tabletop Miniature 3D printing Business Online and Offline alike.

The Process

Research & Find your Niche

Begin your investigation further with Kickstarter campaigns devoted to 3D-printable figures and then move to 3D-printing Facebook groups, which pointed you on the proper path for additional study. Who better to consult than your prospective clients?

Websites I use for research include the following.

To view other active projects and their triumphs on Kickstarter.
To investigate other creators offering monthly 3D packs on Patreon.
MyMiniFactory is one of the most prominent online 3D printing stores.
Artstation – A global community for 3D and 2D artists working in games and visual effects.
Thingiverse – A website with free printable 3D models
Pinshape is a website that offers both free and premium 3D printable files.
Cults3D – A website that provides both free and premium 3D printable files
I would suggest watching tutorials for creating 3D figurines, as well as reviews of 3D printers and experienced miniature artists, on the world wide web and on Youtube.
There are numerous Facebook groups devoted to 3D printing – Nomad Sculpt & Zbrush; simply search for “Tabletop Miniatures” and “3D printing” groups.

Decide your Niche

Sculpting in three dimensions requires time, patience, and practice. Technically, anyone can do it, but it takes time to learn, particularly if you have no prior experience with 3D modelling.

Based on your research and your personal Interests you decide your Niche.

For instance, I decided, based on my study and personal preferences, that I wanted to develop personalities, and because of my own interests, I decided to create bust sculpting. You can sculpt anything with Nomad sculpt app actually. So, decide on your Interest.

Here is a sample of my 3D prints that I have recently launched on my Etsy store- www.armellows.etsy.com

So ask yourself: What will you sell or offer? What market will you focus on? 

For example, you might choose to 3D print: 

• Miniature Cartoon Characters
• Bust Sculpting of people & pets
• Tribute sculpting of Real People & Pets

Learn Nomad sculpt – 3D Sculpting App[ If you not already]

Get the right Tools

So, what are the tools you need to start your 3D printing Business From home?

1. You’ll need 3D Software to create 3D Characters
2. iPad pro ( For Nomad Sculpt)
3. Additional tools like Stylus, gloves, and iPad stand( for Nomad Sculpt)
4. Resin 3D printer- Check out my Blog 11 best Budget-friendly 3D printers and so, Now I know you are keen on printing miniatures like I do, read my Blog 5 Best 3D printers for miniatures[ Ultimate Buying Guide]

Get On to Learning Nomad Sculpt[ If you have not already]

Practising your 3D sculpting

Nomad Sculpt is what I use for my 3D creatives. Even though I am proficient to use Zbrush ( another Industry standard 3d software), I prefer Nomad Sculpt because it’s On the Go and I can Sculpt on my fave iPad pro. Check out my Blog on the best iPad to Buy for using Nomad sculpt App

OK! You can use ZBrush as well but for a beginner or a newbie, Zbrush has a Steeper learning curve. So, I would prefer Nomad Sculpt. I have done all my 3D tabletop Miniatures on Nomad sculpt and Printed on Anycubic M3 3D printer.

Blender is an alternative free software with sculpting skills. It is incredibly popular and capable of fulfilling all of your business needs.

Personally, I do not use Blender due to the fact that I began 3D modelling in Maya before switching to Nomad Sculpt.

Because Blender is highly different and I am a creature of habit, I prefer to stick with these two applications rather than learning a third one. I have no desire to learn a new UI.

Also Read: The best iPad for Nomad Sculpt- 3D Art, The best Stylus for digital art in 2022

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Register your 3D Printing Company

You have the option of signing up as either a:

As a sole proprietor, you are accountable for your company both legally and financially.
Limited company: You only risk what you invest in since your firm is a separate legal entity from you.
Are you unsure which is ideal for a 3D printing company? The answer is based on the size of the business you want to launch and the amount of investment you want to make.

If your initial costs are high, you may choose to register as a limited company to safeguard your personal assets. Having said that, this will result in extra rules and fees.

Creating Characters On Nomad sculpt.

People visit Kickstarter in search of new projects to be funded, and Kickstarter tailors its recommendations to its users’ preferences and aggressively promotes projects.

This is beneficial for everyone. The only way for them to do so is to promote your project and help it generate revenue for you.

Make around 10- 12 Figures or the characters that you have chosen as your niche ( solely based on research and your personal preference). Now time to print them all…

Also Read: How to get Started with Nomad sculpt – The Complete Beginners Guide

3D printing the Characters

After finalizing your 3D design, it is time to put your creation into the physical world by using a 3D printer. Before relying on a 3D printer for your business, you should ideally be proficient in its operation (and, if necessary, its repair).

Most likely, you already have a 3D printer, but if you don’t, you should get one that is dependable and produces high-quality prints. Here is the list of 11 Budget Friendly 3d printers

Additionally, it is not a bad idea to have multiple printers. Since 3D printing is a slow process, it is prudent to run multiple printers concurrently to create multiple parts twice as quickly.

If you wish to avoid time-consuming filament or resin changes, you can even have a separate printer for each of your preferred materials.

You can create your Chosen sculpture( Tabletop Miniature) on Nomad sculpt and print it on the Resin printer to market & sell Online. My fave 3D printer is Anycubic Photon Mono X available at Walmart and at Amazon. I also like this Phrozen Sonic Mini 4k( the most Bidget-friendly).

Read my article How to Prep 3D models for printing before you attempt to print your Sculpt. Also, Check out my Anycubic Photon Mono X Review

Also Read: How to get Started with Nomad sculpt – The Complete Beginners Guide

Time to Launch your Tabletop Miniature 3D Printing Business:

Preparing for Launch
When you have created & Printed approximately 10-12 Objects you can begin marketing your campaign.

You can launch your 3D printing Freelance Business in 3 Different ways:

Open a Store on Etsy: This is the easiest method. You don’t need to worry about Webhosting, Buying a Domain and starting a new website. You just need to sign in to Etsy, create an ETSY store and start Uploading your 3D Printed Items. It’s that easy. Just check out Etsy’s Article that can help you create an Etsy Shop.

Marketing is quite difficult. But you can make it easy by following the below steps

Start a website- Get a simple Worpress website and start Blogging about your 3D printing Journey

Get your Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest accounts and relaunch them with the brand name you have chosen for your business.

You then start sharing photographs of the printed figurines with pertinent hashtags. You start following the accounts of other designers, printers, and figure painters.

Additionally, I began following similar creators on Twitter, Twitch, and Facebook.

Your brand is essential. You should determine this before launching a project if you wish to be noteworthy.

You also build a Fb page + Facebook group (not just a page) for your new brand.

Facebook’s algorithm typically consumes official page posts and holds them, prisoner, unless you pay for advertising.

By forming a group, you increase the likelihood that its members will see your postings in their feed.

I recommend requiring potential members to answer some questions before joining your club in order to screen out spam and troll accounts.

This section is how you gain a solid start.

Make a few of your 3d art available for free download to everyone who subscribed to tour GetResponse – created email. Read How email marketing can help to grow your online Business. You can share this free download on 3D printing Facebook groups.

By giving away this one number, you can get more newsletter sign-ups, and these individuals joined can join your Facebook group. This is Marketing!!

Create a successful home-based 3D printing business.

We hope that this post will assist you in learning how to launch a home-based 3D printing business. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to

• Make sound business plans.
• Learn skills and Purchase Essential Tools & Software
• Set up the logistics and the lawful Business
• Launch your Business.
• Market it cleverly to attract clients

It’s crucial to concentrate on laying a solid foundation for your organisation as you get started. However, in the long run, you could prefer to concentrate on expansion.

Quick Guide to start 3D printing Business from Home

• Explore the 3D printable tabletop figure market Explore the niche you wish to fill Explore what buyers are seeking to purchase
• Join Facebook groups devoted to the hobby in order to engage with consumers and other creators — Additionally, there are a growing number of useful Discord channels.
• Select software to learn how to build printable 3D figures.
• Discover online resources and tutorials to study the process of making printable figures.
• Determine how to evaluate your 3D printable figures.
• Create a website for your brand and start Blogging
• Get your brand social Media handles on Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter
• Establish an Online storefront
• Convert your Kickstarter donors to patrons (if you choose to go this route)
• Maintain a constant supply of new products to improve your storefront revenue.
• Be open to exploring new markets and styles in your work.

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