How to sell your 3D modeling and 3D printing services online and build an enterprise out of it.

I posted an ad on Facebook Marketplace sometime in 2023 advertising to the world that I would 3D model and 3D print whatever part someone wanted or fix an issue they had through my service. I received more inquiries than I imagined, opening me up to different possibilities.

If you’re struggling to find that small part for your broken washing machine…or if you have an idea for a tool/jig that could make your life easier…or even want to 3D print something for your hobby…I want to help. As an engineer and long-time innovator, I have many years of designing/building experience and want to help others with their own designs/builds. I have a genuine passion for prototyping models that come to life with my 3D printers. I'm just a regular guy, not some company and I'm here to help. I can help with:- Creating hard to find or expensive OEM parts - 3D Modeling & Designing parts for your project- Creating new parts & products- Printing a creative project you may have - Printing Stl files you already have Reach out, share your vision, and let's create something amazing together! Mario Sultan

I have since created listings on an Etsy storefront advertising a more focused offering.

Below is the first version of the ad I posted to Facebook. I was required to change it over time, as Facebook doesn’t allow posting services.

If you’re struggling to find that small part for your broken washing machine…or if you have an idea for a tool/jig that could make your life easier…or even want to 3D print something for your hobby…I want to help. 

As an engineer and long-time innovator, I have many years of designing/building experience and want to help others with their own designs/builds. I have a genuine passion for prototyping models that come to life with my 3D printers. I’m just a regular guy, not some company and I’m here to help. I can help with:

  • Creating hard to find or expensive OEM parts 
  • 3D Modeling & Designing parts for your project
  • Creating new parts & products
  • Printing a creative project you may have 
  • Printing .STL files you already have 

Reach out, share your vision, and let’s create something amazing together!

So, how do I sell my 3D modeling and 3D printing services online?

I will begin by saying that it’s easier to have some 3D modeling and printing skills. There are plenty of resources available to help you learn and develop these skills. I offer guides/resources here and will continue developing them as time goes on.

A few basic steps you can take to follow this path.

  1. Define your niche.
    • What’s your focus? Do your market research to understand customer needs and find gaps.
      • Custom 3D modeling?
      • On-demand 3D printing?
      • A hybrid service?
      • Creative design/ideation?
  2. Build a professional online presence.
    • Create a dedicated website (a digital portfolio) used to share your work
    • This site (MARIOSULTAN.COM) and my Design Instagram Page serves this purpose.
    • I include these portfolios on my business cards and other distributable material
  3. USE marketplaces and social media to your advantage.
    • Register your services on a few online marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, Cults3D, Facebook groups, and many others.
    • Leverage social media. LinkedIn/LinkedIn Services, Instagram, and Facebook to share your projects and engage with new clients
    • Google Maps as a tool to get contact info for businesses
  4. Equipment and Skills
    • Invest in reliable 3D printers and/or keep them maintained
    • Continuous learning of design software and 3D printing, design, and design for manufacturing techniques
    • Ensure high-quality output!
    • Develop an efficient workflow (from design to delivery)
  5. Work on your product/service offering.
    • Offer customization and quick turnaround.
    • Differentiate your service by providing a unique edge
    • Clear communication with those you work with
  6. Pricing
    • There are cost-calculation tools online to estimate material costs, labor, and other costs to enable accurate and profitable quotes to customers
    • You can choose to create a tiered pricing based on complexity and volume
    • Open source accounting software to monitor your cash flow and help with taxes come April
  7. Scaling/Automation
    • Automate parts of your process
    • Expanding your marketing efforts
    • Strategic partnerships or collaborations

The Results of My Experiment

The incredible thing about this “experiment” was that it showed me that there is a real need in our communities for small, custom solutions for “regular folk.”

You can find almost all of my designs and 3D printed products here.

Below are some of the example projects I worked on for people.

An3D printed purple rubber duck minion mashup combination combining the designs of others into one design.
3D printed cover for a broken Nissan key. Two halves.
AI generated image of a skull mask that a client sent me to replicate in CAD and 3D print it.
AI generated image of a skull mask that a client sent me to replicate in CAD and 3D print it. Small scale, black printed version.
custom 3D modeled and 3D printed radio unit base.
Broken Samsung fridge door handle bracket.
Broken Samsung fridge door handle bracket. Fixed it using a 3D printed plate that was then epoxied to the broken bracket.
Machine hopper cap and base reinforcement. 3D modeled and 3D printed.
3D printed modern watch holder with hexagonal pattern on the side.
Blue 3D printed Lego-inspired bow tie.
3D printed business card holder, modern look. Mario Sultan Designs. Marble color.
3D printed class ring for Cristo Rey Richmond High School.
Black 3D printed modeled bow tie with a modern cutout pattern.
Black 3D printed modeled bow tie with hexagonal patterns.
AI generated image of a skull mask that a client sent me to replicate in CAD and 3D print it. Full scale, printed in white.
Trig practice tool to help determine which sides of the triangle correspond to what function to use.
Free body diagram FBD practice tool, 3d printed for physics students to learn vector components, net force, etc.
3D printed plumb bob, black with a string attached to one end.

Scaling this idea.

DesignedLocally.com came from this idea; to create a network of 3D designers and 3D printers.

Imagine a community where ideas come to life, problems can be solve, self-proclaimed creators and us all (who by nature are creative) can connect and help each other out. Small-scale manufacturing in our neighborhoods taking advantage of the crowdsourcing model.

Scroll to Top