Did you know that to make money with 3D printing in 2025 you don’t need to pursue it full-time, instead it can also be a side hustle while you pursue other earning opportunities.
In one of our previous articles, we discussed the various 3D printing business opportunities you can pursue. However, these were full-time businesses, and the level of expertise, investment, time, and effort required for those ideas was prohibitively high.
We understand that not everyone wants to start a full-time 3D printing business in India in 2025, and you may be looking for side hustle opportunities. Side hustles are ideal for students, stay-at-home moms, working professionals, and even small businesses looking to add a new revenue stream.
So, in this new update we have added more ways you can make money with 3D printing, focusing solely on side hustle ideas that don’t require full-time commitment.
Can you really make money with a 3D Printer?
The straightforward answer is Yes! You can undoubtedly make money with a 3D printer or by operating in the 3D printing industry in 2025.
How much money you ask? Well, that will depend on your level of knowledge and expertise in technology, as well as how much time you devote to this side hustle. I’ve seen individuals earning anywhere from ₹5,000 to ₹30,000 monthly from these side hustles, with those offering specialised services commanding even higher rates.
Buying a 3D Printer
Which printer you buy will totally depend on the idea you wish to implement. The price of printers starts from as low as ₹19,000 and can go in excess of INR 2-4 Cr. To run a side hustle, you will not need a high-cost printer—a printer costing around INR 30,000 to INR 1 lakh will be quite good for most side-hustles. But in recent years a lot of new 3D printers have launched that are user-friendly and print at high speeds. These printers will come at a slight premium but it’s worth the additional investment.
When I first entered the 3D printing space, the industry was not so democratised in India. The prices were still high and even the Chinese printers, which dominate the markets today were not so reliable and there was literally no service. I ended up buying a custom-made FDM 3D printer from a local vendor for INR 50,000 (pretty costly considering how problematic the printer turned out to be).
In my experience, focusing on build volume, print quality, and ease of maintenance will serve you better than simply choosing the cheapest option.
Buying a 3D printer can be a confusing task especially if you aren’t completely aware of the types of technology, the differences in each of those technologies, the materials, subtle features and how they influence the part you are trying to print. We at Manufactur3D have helped dozens of buyers make informed decisions based on their specific use cases. As I am updating this article in May 2025, I am helping out a client who wants to procure a PEEK 3D printer.
If you any need support, you can mail us your base requirements at inquiries@manufactur3dmag.com and we’ll help you in the decision-making process. Note, we do not charge to give advice. It’s completely free and we just want to help customers avoid bad purchases.
Beginners in 3D printing I suggest you check out our list of the best 3D printers for beginners which can be a great starting point for your 3D printer search.
Guide on how to Make Money with 3D Printing in 2024
Sell Educational Models to Schools
One of the best ways to make money with 3D printing in 2025 is to sell educational models to schools. It is now widely accepted that 3D printing is an excellent learning tool that is widely used in STEM education. But not all schools have the funds to purchase 3D printers, or have trained educators who can teach 3D printing to students.
I’ve worked with several schools in my locality (Maharashtra) to buy 3D printed educational models. Science departments are particularly receptive and are keen to purchase such models. You will have to work out with the teachers and deliver but it will be a great place to start. Some enthusiastic teachers may come up with a lot of crazy ideas as well so be careful what you promise and try to standardise the models you wish to sell for the first time. The second time when schools themselves approach you for newer models, then you can get a bit creative and also charge a bit higher and earn decent margins.
The key is showing them how these models improve concept clarity and student engagement compared to traditional teaching aids. One idea I tried was to just give them a few models for free for a few months and then went back to get their response. Science teachers were hooked when they saw how easy it became for them to teach and they came back.
One problem that I have faced in this is the fact that some schools are run by the management and they will not budge even if the teachers want the models coz of they have to spend money, in such cases it is better to not pursue such schools and focus on others.
When creating educational models for schools, material selection is crucial. PLA is generally preferred due to its safety, durability, and bright colour options. For models that will be handled frequently, consider a stronger material like PETG or reinforce critical areas during design. Schools particularly appreciate models that align with their curriculum—for CBSE schools, anatomical models and geometric shapes aligned with their science and mathematics syllabi are particularly popular.
3D Printer Reviewer
You can become a 3D printer reviewer if you are an expert in handling and using 3D printers. With video content becoming the norm, this is one of the best ways to make money with 3D printing. You can contact manufacturers to obtain review units and write detailed, honest assessments of their performance. These reviews can be published on third-party blogs or your own YouTube channel.
When I started reviewing 3D printers a few years ago, I was surprised by how receptive manufacturers were to sending review units. The key is building a small but engaged audience first—even a few hundred followers who trust your opinion can be enough to start. Be prepared to invest in quality photography and testing equipment; detailed benchmarks and comparison prints set good reviewers apart from casual users.
You can earn money from manufacturers looking for honest third-party reviews or from blogs that will publish your content. Revenue can also come from affiliate links when readers purchase based on your recommendations. This is one of the most straightforward ways to make money with 3D printing in 2025, though it does require building credibility over time.
(New) 3D Printing YouTube Channel
This idea is closely related to the previous one about reviewing 3D printers. In addition to 3D printers, you can also review materials and software suites. Setting up a YouTube channel dedicated to 3D printing allows you to share your knowledge, expertise, and creative process with a global audience.
This will require a consistent effort from you every week and the results will come slow and around a year mark, but it can be quite successful over time.
Create engaging content, such as tutorials, product reviews, time-lapse prints, or vlogs documenting your 3D printing journey. Consistency in uploading videos, interacting with viewers through comments, and collaborating with other creators can all help you increase your channel’s subscriber base.
YouTube monetisation options include advertising revenue, sponsored content, merchandise sales, and crowdfunding through platforms such as Patreon. Based on current trends, a channel with 10,000 subscribers focusing on 3D printing can generate approximately ₹15,000-30,000 monthly through various revenue streams.
Invest in 3D Printing Stocks
If you are a stock trader, you should look into 3D printing stocks. The market is undoubtedly young and exhibits significant volatility, making it suitable only for those with a high risk tolerance and long-term investment horizon.
Currently the market is down with many of the listed companies reporting a drop in revenue and their stock prices are also falling. Companies like Markforged, Desktop Metal, Velo3D, Shapeways and others who showed a promise are of getting acquired or are facing the risk of getting delisted. So, while it is a scary scenario, if you are someone who understands the market, are tracking the industry and wants to take a bet, then you can surely look at this space.
The industry is moving towards building application-specific products and proving the technology for customer requirements instead of just building new products. So, companies focusing on this might be the winners in the coming years. Chinese companies are also doing very good. You can read more about the world’s largest 3D printing companies by market cap to know more about the industry.
Important Risk Disclaimer: 3D printing stocks have historically shown extreme volatility, with some companies experiencing 50-70% value fluctuations within a single year. These investments should represent only a small portion of a diversified portfolio. Past performance is never indicative of future results, and you should consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
(Please keep in mind that this is not investment advice, and readers should make their own decisions about whether or not to invest. We are not responsible for any investment decisions made by reading this article.)
Consultancy
If you are a technology expert, why not put it to good use? You can start a consultancy business. This can easily be a side hustle, but with this idea, you can make substantial money with 3D printing.
We at Manufactur3D have consulted with several small businesses looking to adopt 3D printing technology, and I’ve found that most buyers struggle with understanding the return on investment. A crucial part of consulting is helping clients calculate not just the immediate costs, but the long-term benefits across their entire production process.
Globally, the rate of adoption of 3D printing technology remains slow. MSMEs believe that the capital investment is prohibitively expensive to even consider the technology. Though this is true to some extent, investing in 3D printers will provide benefits across the entire supply chain, as opposed to traditional machines, which only provide benefits in certain parts of the production.
As a consultant, you can assist businesses in making better decisions about adopting 3D printing. You can help answer questions like whether the business really needs the technology, and if so, how to implement it cost-effectively. Having someone at their side will certainly help MSMEs deal with technology sellers and avoid costly mistakes.
You can tie up with brands with a retainer or a commission model and earn through it. A typical annual retainer will be around 10-15 Lakhs in India while the commission rates for selling 3D printers ranges from 3%-10% based on the technology you are selling and even the Brand.
3D Scanning
With the introduction of 3D printing, reverse engineering has gained renewed interest and momentum. Because of the ease with which any type of object can be 3D printed, many industries are now scanning obsolete or old machine parts and having them 3D printed.
There are several ways to profit from 3D scanning. All you need is a scanner, which will undoubtedly be an investment, but you can also purchase smaller handheld scanners and provide scanning services.
Finding work through online freelancing jobs is the best approach. Several websites list available jobs, and you can also inquire directly with companies about contracting work. Once you’ve identified a few potential clients, you can start scanning and creating digital files.
Rent out your 3D printer or 3D Pen
This can be an easy way to make money with 3D printing with minimal effort. If you have a 3D printer and/or a 3D Pen that you are not using consistently, consider renting it out. Some small businesses may not be fully convinced if they need a 3D printer or will they have a consistent need for it. So, instead of directly investing in a 3D printer, they will be interested in renting a 3D printer and make use of it till they are ready to invest in an industrial printer.
Connecting with schools can also be a good idea earning you quick income by renting equipment during science fairs, lab days, or special events. You can also rent to engineering students for academic projects or to local manufacturers for short production runs. Additionally, consider families looking for weekend activities or parents that home-school their children.
Important note on renting: Create a clear contract outlining responsibility for damage and maintenance. I recommend collecting a security deposit (approximately 20-30% of the printer’s value) and performing maintenance checks between rentals. Budget for replacement parts—hot ends, nozzles, and build surfaces will wear faster when multiple people use your equipment. Expect to replace consumable parts every 3-5 rental cycles depending on usage intensity.
Sell digital 3D models
This is a great side hustle and easy way to make money online with 3D printing. The only prerequisite is that you need to be proficient in designing for 3D printing. If you are, then you can search for trends and cash in on them by creating relevant 3D models.
I’ve seen a number of designers making money online by designing and selling 3D models. Creating models that coincide with movie releases, game launches, or seasonal events can significantly boost sales. Especially target western markets and trends where enthusiasts and hobbyists have a tendency of buying models to 3D print and sell them.
You can also create unique models for a wide range of applications from household items to office products, character models for tabletop gaming to latest superhero figurines, and from upcycling broken products to creating new and innovative accessories for existing products.
Once you create these designs, you can upload them on platforms like Thingiverse, Cults3D, and Gumroad to showcase and sell your designs to a global audience of 3D printing enthusiasts. Clear product descriptions, high-quality images (especially of printed results), and responsive customer service are essential for attracting buyers and establishing a profitable online design store.
Check out the various online 3D model repositories where you can sell and earn money with your 3D printed designs.
For designing the CAD models you will obviously require a good modelling software and depending on your forte you can use modelling software for automotive applications, for architectural applications or even for aerospace applications. You can also use free CAD software applications to design models if you’re just starting out.
(New) Sell Personalised Products
People are increasingly drawn to personalised products that reflect their individuality. Most customers are fed up with mass-produced items that don’t showcase their uniqueness. For such customers, you can create and 3D print personalised one-of-a-kind products that make them feel special. Such clients do exist and have the need for personalised products but the biggest challenges here is finding and reaching out to them. If your marketing game is strong, then you will find clients.
This isn’t your typical side hustle because you’ll need to invest significant time in client communication and design iterations. In my experience, most custom projects require 2-3 design revisions before final approval, with each revision taking 1-2 hours of work. Budget this time into your pricing structure and quote.
Top platforms such as Etsy & Amazon can help you reach a wider audience and showcase your work. You can also use social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to create engaging content showcasing your creation process for attracting clients interested in bespoke items. Remember that excellent customer service and on-time delivery are essential for building a positive reputation and generating repeat business.
(New) Sell An Online 3D Printing Course
Developing and selling an online 3D printing course requires subject matter expertise and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and engagingly. Create a structured curriculum that covers the fundamentals of 3D printing, software use, troubleshooting techniques, and advanced design skills. Use multimedia elements like videos, quizzes, and interactive assignments to help students learn more effectively. According to our research and feedback from course creators, courses with regular practice exercises and downloadable resources tend to receive higher student satisfaction ratings.
But mind the fact that creating the course is a time taking effort. In general, every hour of video content may require approximately 4-5 hours planning, recording, and editing. A comprehensive 10-hour course took nearly three months of part-time work to complete. Be realistic about the time investment required before committing to this path.
A prerequisite would also be that you understand ad know the technology first hand. Without it this might not be a good idea to get into.
This can evolve into full-time work if you attract a substantial student base and expand your course offerings. Vladimir, the founder of Desktop Makes, started with basic CAD design tutorials and has grown into offering comprehensive Fusion 360 courses that serve as his primary income source. There are others as well who have taken their passion for CAD modelling and turned it into a course.
You can create 3D printing courses on platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or even deliver courses via your own website. Based on current market rates in India, introductory courses typically sell for ₹1,500-₹2,500, while comprehensive, specialised courses can command ₹5,000-₹7,500 depending on depth and perceived value.
How to Get Started?
The requirements for getting started will depend on which path you choose to pursue. Most ideas will require some combination of:
- CAD design software: Start with free CAD software for 3D printing like Tinkercad or Fusion 360 (free for hobbyists) before investing in paid solutions.
- A 3D printer: Consider factors for buying a 3D printer such as build volume, print quality, and material compatibility based on your chosen business model.
- 3D scanner: Only necessary if you plan to offer scanning services.
- Online presence: Depending on your business model, you’ll need profiles on relevant platforms (Instagram, YouTube, Etsy, online course sites, etc.) or your own website.
- Industry knowledge: Continuously educate yourself about the latest developments in 3D printing technology.
I recommend starting small with one idea that aligns with your existing skills and interests. Many successful 3D printing entrepreneurs I’ve interacted with began with a single service and expanded only after establishing profitability. For example, if you’re already design-oriented, start with selling digital models; if you enjoy teaching, begin with simple tutorials before developing full courses.
Full-time Business Ideas
If you become passionate about your 3D printing side hustle and want to transition to a full-time business, check out our dedicated article on different 3D Printing Business Opportunities. To explore popular business ideas for providing 3D printing services, read our comprehensive guide on the topic.
Remember that starting a business requires careful planning and investment. If you’re considering taking the plunge, our detailed guide on how to start a 3D printing business in India in 2025 covers everything from business registration and location selection to equipment procurement and marketing strategies.
With the right combination of skills, equipment, and business acumen, your 3D printing side hustle could grow into a thriving full-time enterprise—but start small, learn continuously, and scale only when you’ve validated your business model.
About Manufactur3D Magazine: Manufactur3D is an online magazine on 3D printing. which publishes the latest 3D printing news, insights and analysis from all around the world. Visit our 3D Printing Education page to read more such informative articles. To stay up-to-date about the latest happenings in the 3D printing world, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
