51 Digital Manufacturing Business Ideas

3D Printing is still a growing industry with more potential than ever before to start a business. In this article I'll provide 51 different business ideas to kickstart your imagination into whats possible.

Digital manufacturing tools such as 3D printers, scanners, and CNC machines are reaching new levels of accuracy and overall performance - there has never been a better time to start your business leveraging these new tools. Let's explore 51 different options. ​

1. 3D Printing Service Provider - Providing a 3D Printing Service to others could be lucrative if you find the right niche. An easy way to get started is with your Print Farm competing for jobs on hubs.com that is an open network of Digital Manufacturing based businesses offering their services to others. Or you could create your own service provider website that produces other people’s designs. Keep in mind the 800 lbs gorilla in this space is Shapeways.com

2. Product Development Studio - If you’re great with CAD and like creating design solutions for other people or businesses then this could be the right avenue to get started. Having a portfolio of design projects would help build credibility and an easy way to get started is using fiverr.com or Upwork.com.

3. Outdoor Model Shop - Creating realistic models and then making them robust enough for the outdoors has never been easier with 3D printing. If you’re looking for a high end product offer that you could sell to cities, municipalities, high end clients.

4. 3D Printer Repair Business - On both the consumer side and the business side there’s a need for a skilled technician to be able to quickly diagnose the issue and get the printer back up and running.

5. 3D Printer Replacement Part and Accessory Business - As the 3D printer industry continues to grow so will the replacement part and accessory businesses.

6. 3D Printer Sales/Distribution Business - New 3D printer companies are in need of establishing strong distribution partners to help them grow. You could seek out this type of relationship and if you find the right company, sales could be out of this world.

7. 3D Part Scanner Business - The high resolution 3D scanners are not cheap so this could be a great avenue to provide the service to others that aren’t interested in investing the time or money but would like done for certain objects.

8. Consumable Business (Filament or Resin Sales/Distribution Business) - There’s still new material properties needed to continue to grow the application of 3D printing. In this business you could re-brand standard filaments or resins or work with material formulation companies to create your very own materials.

9. 3D Printing Consulting Firm - Large and small companies are trying to figure out what additive manufacturing means for their business. If you have deep insights into the pros and cons of 3D printing and would be interested in promoting your insights and ideas.

10. 3D Printer Influencer Business - Tour 3D printer companies, provide printer and software ratings, share tips, tricks and how-to-guides for your audience and become the go to for everything 3D printing.

11. Create a custom 3D printer software business - If you see a void in the market for a new software tool or app that would make one’s life easier or add convenience to the process of 3D printing you’re in the right market with early adopters interested.

12. Start a Sign Company with a large format 3D printer - We’re at a point now that signs can be of very high quality just being 3D printed. You’re able to stand out from the traditional method due to lower costs, free complexity and less labor.

13. Create a 3D print Surface Finishing business - Paint, Sand, Electroplate, etch, etc. the prints to meet your clients finished product needs.

14. Custom Orthotics - From a 3D scan of someone's foot you can create the necessary orthotics exactly to their specifications.

15. Designer Prosthetics - This product needs to be functional but the key is great design that captures the aesthetic needs of your clients

16. One of the most exciting areas in the Additive/Digital Manufacturing space is creating your own consumer product company that is centered around your eye for design and/or functionality that will de-commoditize the product space and allows you to maintain good margins. Customer 3D printed jewelry is a great example but their are many many more to consider. Consider these:

17. Custom Welcome Home Signs

18. Personalized Figurines - Paintable

19. Custom Eyeglasses

20. Cell phone cases

21. Unique Cake Toppers

22. Children Toys

23. Dart Gun Accessories

24. High End Light Fixtures

25. Fancy Vases and Pots

26. Incredibly Custom, Unique and Complex Planters/pots

27. Figurines, Models, Candle Holders, Incense Holders, and various Artwork for your home

28. Artifacts, Skulls, Bones

29. Historic Busts

30. Ornate Bookends

31. Custom Bird Houses and Bird Feeders

32. Custom Trailer Hitch Covers

33. Custom Car Emblems

34. Custom License Plate Covers

35. Custom Children’s Piggy Banks

36. Kids Brio Train Track parts and accessories

37. Gliders and Rockets

38. Kids Adventure Kits

39. Jewelry Boxes

40. Treasure Boxes

41. Wall Art

42. Custom Beach Toys for your kids

43. Cardboard Creation Sets

44. Unique Plaques

45. Steampunk Gear

46. Desk Ornaments / Inspirations

47. Unique Bookmarks

48. Dragon Eggs

49. Soapbox Derby Maker

50. Chargers, table settings, placemats

51. Alexa or Google Speaker holders(Gramophone)

​ ​ This list is far from exhaustive but it should give you an idea or two worth exploring. Just make sure to consider how you're product is going to de-commoditize the market segment so you can maintain great margins. The last thing you want to do is enter into a market that makes you print hundreds of units before you ever make a reasonable side income. Commodity products are in a race to the bottom. You don't want to spend your time on products that can't be differentiated. Focus on great design and customization that meets your customers needs. This area is way more profitable and fun. Enjoy the Journey!