In 2023, the "Radish Cutter," a 3D-printed toy, became an overnight sensation in schools, quickly winning the hearts of elementary and middle school students. This marked a significant debut of 3D printing in the toy industry, pioneered by an unlikely group known as 3D printing farm owners. These individuals typically operate dozens or even hundreds of 3D printers, working tirelessly day and night, yielding substantial profits.
Investing in a 3D printing business requires minimal initial capital and offers quick returns. The economics are clear: A single 3D printer costs about ¥2,500. With 10 printers, the total investment amounts to ¥25,000. Adding material costs at ¥100 per kilogram, and assuming 10 kilograms per printer, the total material expense is around ¥10,000. With equipment and materials combined, the initial cost is ¥35,000. If we include rent at ¥2,000 per month for six months, totaling ¥12,000, and considering that a single operator can manage all 10 printers and handle shipping, labor costs are negligible. This brings the total initial investment to about ¥50,000, allowing entrepreneurs to embark on a 3D printing venture.
The service charge for 3D printing ranges from ¥0.12 to ¥0.3 per gram, using standard PLA material with FDM 3D printers. With continuous operation and after covering all expenses, each printer can net ¥50 per day. Thus, 10 printers can generate a monthly income of ¥15,000, meaning the initial investment can be recouped in about three months.
The entry barrier is low enough that even part-timers can participate. Two years ago, it was challenging for a novice to quickly learn and perform stable, high-speed printing with desktop 3D printers. The default printing speeds ranged from 50mm/s to 80mm/s, and print stability was often unreliable, leading to frequent failures. Moreover, turning a printed object into a marketable product required in-depth knowledge of the machines, software, and materials, which deterred many interested individuals.
Today, these issues are resolved. Starting a print job only requires turning on the machine, loading the material, importing the model into the software, selecting default settings, and slicing. It's more about "playing with 3D printing" rather than "playing with 3D printers." Brands like Tuozhu, Chuangxiang, and Shan Zhu have introduced affordable high-speed 3D printers, significantly lowering the barrier for ordinary users.
Resource centers indicate that many parents and office workers now buy around five 3D printers to offer printing services. Typically, real 3D printing farm owners start with batches of 10 machines. Those owning more than 50 printers are considered medium-sized farm owners, while those with over 100 are classified as large-scale operators.
Phenomenal products like the "dragon egg," which cannot be produced through traditional injection molding due to their complex structures and potential low yield and high cost, have driven significant demand. Many involved in export businesses are buying these in large quantities, indicating the need for extensive simultaneous printing operations. This demand has encouraged many new 3D printing farm owners to enter the market, hoping to profit during peak seasons.
Looking ahead, it's uncertain what the next hit 3D printed toy will be, but the industry will continue to innovate. The toy market's vast potential means that 3D printing farm owners might see their businesses grow significantly. For example, selling a set of "dragon eggs" might only net a farm owner ¥30, but they can fetch up to $30 each on international e-commerce platforms.
The high profitability ensures that toy manufacturers are keen to continue this trend, which is why the role of 3D printing farm owners might expand to that of "3D Printing Factory Managers," managing hundreds or even thousands of machines.
3D printing has opened the doors to the toy market, allowing some to earn their first significant profits.