How to Make Money Selling 3D Models?

Making money by selling 3D models can be a great way to earn some extra income. There are a few things to keep in mind when selling 3D models, such as what type of model to sell and how to price it. This blog post will give you some tips on how to make money selling 3D models.

Why Sell 3D Models?

There are a few different reasons you might want to sell your 3D models. Maybe you’re looking to make some extra money on the side. Or maybe you want to turn your 3D modeling into a full-time business. In any case, there are a lot of advantages in this business compared to working for hire as a 3D artist in a company.

How to Make Money Selling 3D Models

Selling 3d models is a great way to make money from your work without having to go through the hassle of finding clients and dealing with rejection. It is also important to mention, that you’re not just selling your work, you’re also promoting yourself. This is a great way to get your work seen by more people and to generate interest in your creative skills.

3 Main Ways to Sell 3D Models

There are 3 main ways to make money selling 3D models:

  1. One option is to sell your models as a freelancer on stock 3D model websites (marketplaces).
  2. Alternatively, you can create your own website, upload quality renders and sell your models directly to customers.
  3. Finally, you can create physical products using 3D printing and sell them online or in brick-and-mortar stores.

7 Best Places to Sell 3D Models

There are a lot of different places to choose from, and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.

The first place that you should consider selling your 3D models is on your own website. This is a great option because you will be in full control of the prices, terms, and conditions of the sale. Additionally, you will be able to build up a loyal customer base that will keep coming back to your site for new models.

You can create additional pages to attract game designers or animation studios. Such separate landing pages can be created for almost any service that is in demand among buyers of 3D models.

Another great option for selling your 3D models is through online marketplaces. These marketplaces are a great option because they provide a wide audience for your models. Additionally, they offer buyers a sense of security and trust because they are well-known within the industry.

1. Shapeways

Shapeways is one of the biggest and most popular 3D printing marketplaces. They offer a wide range of materials and finishes, and you can sell your models as both physical products and digital files. It’s a great option if you want to reach a large audience of potential buyers.

2. CGTrader

CGTrader is another large marketplace for 3D models. They offer a mix of free and paid plans, which gives you the flexibility to choose how you want to sell your models.

3. TurboSquid

TurboSquid is one of the oldest marketplaces for 3D models.

4. Etsy

Etsy is best known as a marketplace for handmade goods, but you can also sell 3D models on Etsy. This is a great option if you want to reach a large audience of potential buyers.

5. Thingiverse

Thingiverse is a 3D printing community and marketplace, owned by MakerBot.

6. MyMiniFactory

MyMiniFactory is a 3D printing marketplace and community

7. Sculpteo

Sculpteo is a 3D printing service and marketplace.

Finally, you can also sell your 3D models through social media platforms. This is a great option because it allows you to reach a wide audience with your models. Additionally, social media platforms provide an easy way for buyers to connect with you and ask questions about your models.

Selling On Your Own Website

If you’re a 3D artist, chances are you’ve considered selling your work online. After all, there are plenty of sites that offer to do just that. But why go through a third-party when you can sell your 3D models directly on your own website?

When it comes to selling 3D models, the most important thing is to make sure your site is SEO friendly. That means using the right keywords and providing helpful descriptions. But once you’ve got that sorted, the process is actually quite simple. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Choose the right platform

The first step is to choose the right platform for your website. If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend WordPress. It’s easy to use and there are plenty of themes and plugins available to help you create a professional-looking site.

2. Pick a domain name

Once you’ve chosen your platform, it’s time to pick a domain name. This is the address people will use to access your site, so make sure it’s something memorable and easy to type.

3. Set up your hosting

Now that you have a domain name, you need to set up your hosting. This is where your website’s files will be stored. Again, WordPress makes this easy with a number of great hosting providers to choose from.

4. Install WordPress

If you’re using WordPress, the next step is to install it on your hosting account. This can usually be done with a single click.

5. Choose a theme

Now it’s time to choose a theme for your site. This will determine the overall look and feel, so take your time to browse through the options and find something that suit your style.

6. Install plugins

plugins are like small pieces of software that add extra features to your WordPress site. There are thousands of them available, so have a look around and see which ones would be useful for your site.

7. Create your pages

Now it’s time to start creating your pages. The first one should be your home page, which should give visitors an overview of what your site is about. You can then add other pages for your portfolio, blog, etc.

8. Add your content

Now it’s time to start adding your content. This includes things like your 3D models, descriptions, and prices. Make sure to include plenty of keywords so that your site comes up in search results.

9. Set up payment

If you want to sell your 3D models, you’ll need to set up some kind of payment system. The easiest way to do this is with PayPal. You can simply create a button on your page and link it to your PayPal account.

10. Promote your site

Now that your site is all set up, you need to start promoting it. The best way to do this is through social media and online directories. By getting the word out there, you’ll start to attract visitors and potential customers.

That’s it! Now you know how to sell 3D models on your own website. Just remember to keep your site updated with fresh content and to promote it regularly. With a little bit of effort, you could be making a great income from your 3D models. But remember, it will most likely take from 6 to 12 month until you can see your first sales.

Create and Sell Custom Products

There is a huge potential market for people who are looking to sell realistic 3D printed products. Whether you’re an individual 3D printing enthusiast or a professional 3D printer, there are ways that you can monetize your hobby or business.

The main task is to create really necessary and useful 3D models. You can use not only your own imagination in creating them, but also be inspired by the products of other manufacturers. For example, you can buy a popular ready-made product and simply copy existing object with a 3D scanner.

One way to sell your custom 3D printed figures is to create an online store. There are a number of different e-commerce platforms that you can use, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento. These platforms will allow you to create a professional-looking online store and list your 3D printed products for sale.

Another way to sell custom 3D printed miniatures is to sell them through a third-party marketplace, such as Shapeways or Sculpteo. These sites are designed for people who want to sell 3D printed products, and they will handle the printing and shipping of your awesome art for you.

Finally, you can also sell your goods through a traditional brick-and-mortar store. If you have a physical location, you can display and sell your 3D printed products there. You can also offer your 3D figures online through your own website or through a third-party marketplace.

No matter which method you choose, selling custom 3D printed products can be a great way to monetize your 3D printing hobby or business.

How to Price Your 3D Models Correctly?

Different artists charge different prices for their work, and there is no universally accepted standard for pricing 3D models. As a result, many artists end up undercharging or overcharging for their work. In this section, we’ll give you some tips on how to rate your 3D models correctly.

First of all, it’s important to realize that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to pricing your models. Ultimately, you should charge whatever you feel is fair for your work. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some general guidelines you can follow when pricing your models.

One important factor to consider is the time it takes to create the model. If it takes you 20 hours to create a model, you can’t expect to charge the same price as someone who only spent 5 hours on their model. The time you spend on a model is directly related to its value.

Another factor to consider is the quality of the model. A high-quality model made by passionate 3d artist will obviously be worth more than a low-quality model. If you’re not sure about the quality of your model, it’s always a good idea to get some feedback from other artists or from buyers before setting a price.

Finally, you should also consider the demand for the model. If there are many buyers interested in your model, you can charge a higher price than if there are only a few buyers. It’s all about supply and demand. It is also important to remember that often long-term relationships with regular clients bring the most revenue.

Keep these factors in mind when pricing your 3D models, and you should be able to come up with a fair price for your work.