Selling 3D Printed Toys at Markets in the U.S.: Earning Up to $10,000 on Weekends – An Exclusive Interview with a Farmer

PanDen 2024-10-19 00:07 Events

Among the hundreds of 3D printing farms（https://www.nanjixiong.com/forum-250-1.html） featured by Panda3dp.com, some generate monthly incomes exceeding a million CNY, while others face order shortage ...

Although 3D printing farms originated abroad, their rapid development in China over the past year or two has been remarkable. On platforms like panda3dp.com, foreign observers have expressed astonishment, exclaiming, “China has seen the emergence of hundreds, even thousands, of large-scale 3D printing farms!”

△In a Chinese 3D Printing Farm: Multiple Layers of 3D Printers Laid on Storage Shelves.

In light of this, one might wonder: how are 3D printing farms faring abroad?

A small 3D printing farm owner in the United States, pseudonymously known as Den, reached out to Panda3dp.com to share his experiences of running a farm in the U.S.

After teaching for nearly two decades, Den developed an interest in the complexities of 3D printing. He began offering summer courses on the subject, unexpectedly garnering significant popularity. Consequently, in 2023, he embarked on “guiding people on their 3D printing journey.” By September 2024, Den opened a 3D printing shop in a U.S. mall, equipped with ample space for both 3D printing equipment and courses.

△Selling 3D-Printed Trinkets by Stall. Small toys are sold at two for $10 in US. The price for a dragon is $25 (about 180 CNY) for a 30-centimeter-long one and $50 (about 360 CNY) for a 45-centimeter-long one. After seeing this, a Chinese 3D printing farmer remarked that no wonder the GDP of the United States is so high. The prices of these toys are six or seven times those in China.

Selling 3D-Printed Toys by Stall in the United States Brings in a Maximum Income of Tens of Thousands Dollars in a Weekend

Den informed Panda3dp.com that both he and his wife are engaged in the education field and serve as teachers in schools. They are completely ignorant of the 3D printing industry and are pure novices. They began part-time 3D printing and selling at stalls only in 2023. As of now, they possess just a few dozen machines.

Den shared that during weekends, particularly during busy market days, their revenue can soar to $10,000 (approximately 70,000 CNY), though such foot traffic, typically 50,000 to 60,000 visitors, is not a weekly occurrence, especially more prevalent in summer. At farmers' markets, earnings can dip to as low as $1,000 during peak seasons, while off-peak may yield only $300 to $400. Their primary offerings include dragons and other small trinkets such as frogs, turtles, and dinosaurs.

In contrast, Panda3dp.com has previously reported on graduate students from Wuhan University of Light Industry who became 3D printing farm owners, achieving daily revenues of up to 20,000 CNY through cultural products. However, such lucrative opportunities were fleeting, with prices quickly declining.

△《3D Printing Cultural and Creative Stalls Up To 20,000 CNY a Day, Graduate Students' Journey into 3D Printing Farms》

Open a 3D Printing Physical Store

Den and his spouse established their 3D printing shop in a U.S. mall with modest popularity. While product sales are limited, the space primarily serves for classes attended by both adults and children. The proportion of families owning their own 3D printers is notably high, suggesting that nearly every household may soon possess one, with grandparents gifting 3D printers for Christmas, despite children requiring courses to learn how to use them.

“We wanted to open a store in the mall because, as parents, we prefer a safe environment for our nine-year-old child, rather than an industrial park or a sparsely populated area. We aim to provide a space where parents can drop off their children while attending to their own work.”

In the initial weeks following their opening, there was a significant demand for classes and custom 3D printing orders. Customers had the opportunity to bring in their creative models for customization. However, not all 3D printing must revolve around toys or models; Den also assists in repairing damaged household items, such as spice racks and containers.

“The income generated from our market stall supports the maintenance of our 3D printing shop,” Den explained.

The market for 3D printed toys is rife with homogenization and varying quality.

In developed cities like Shenzhen and Shanghai, 3D printed toy stalls have become nearly as commonplace as ring toss or balloon darts. During outings, Panda3dp.com frequently encounters 3D printing stalls featuring a functioning printer alongside a plethora of printed toys, such as dragons and dragon eggs—a standard setup.

Yet, with everyone selling similar products, the lack of differentiation can lead to declining business.

“We sell a small selection of our own 3D printed designs online, focusing on niche tabletop games. Though the customer base is limited, it possesses high loyalty and repeat purchase rates,” Den noted. “We currently do not plan to source 3D printed toys from China due to quality concerns. Some customers who previously purchased from other shops reported that their items broke quickly, and they expressed disappointment with the quality of our 3D prints. However, if there are companies in China that offer original designs and products, we would consider collaboration for the American market.”

△Den Sells 3D-Printed Toys by Stall in the United States. There Will Be Shortages When Business Is Good

What lies ahead for 3D printing farms?

In the view of Panda3dp.com, the evolutionary trajectory of 3D printing farms may find its path in Den’s model of offering 3D printing courses alongside market sales and customization.

However, for most 3D printing farm owners, there exists a tendency to rely on obtaining STL design files to directly input into printers, earning meager returns. In industry parlance, this situation has led to them being regarded as “black slaves.”

How can one escape the fate of being a “slave” in the 3D printing farm industry?

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