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Has anyone sold or otherwise handed off their 3d printing business? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 month ago by mortalic@lemmy.world to c/3dprinting@lemmy.world
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I think I'm done, hit my mental energy limit. I have a very small 3d design company, where I started by taking small projects, making the design and then selling it on either Etsy or Artisans coop. I'd also attend local craft fairs, or makers markets.

I've had a lot of fun and satisfaction doing this, solved some cool problems for people and made a small amount of money. (Mostly just paid for the printers)

But, the last three craft fairs I've attended I sold literally nothing at one, and only a few dollars at the others, Etsy sales have dried up and Artisans coop never got off the ground for me. I know I need to market, but I've been doing it without Meta/deadbird etc which is so tough.

So I think I'm done and just want a way out.

If anyone either has advice on how to sell this company (its an LLC) or if you are even interested in buying it, maybe DM me. I've got tons if filament, a pair of nice printers, probably a few dozen 3d designs plus a bunch of replacement parts for the printers. PrusaXL2T and Vivedino Troodon300 heavily modded.

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[-] mortalic@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

This is really thoughtful advice. I super appreciate it. I don't know what to do, I've had a lot of fun making stuff to solve peoples needs, but this year it's all dried up and I've been spending the reserves to get into shows, pay for marketing etc....

Maybe I'll just put everything on pause for a long time.

[-] Test_Tickles@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Everyone is bracing for the economic free fall that is going to be the next 5 years. We are still at the upper end and it's only going to get worse under this administration.
So, I have no doubt that people just aren't spending money on the kinds of things that they were even just last year. I wish I had something better to tell you, but it is going to be a while before we see people having the money to spend on custom designing anything. As the previous poster pointed out, you need to either decide to get rid of stuff and then sell it like you want it gone, or accept that now it is just a hobby that basically paid for itself.

this post was submitted on 23 Oct 2025
16 points (100.0% liked)

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