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Welcome Back To Side Hustle Weekly!

I’m excited to share with you another great side hustle you can start today! Today we will be discussing how you can start a 3d printing business from scratch.

Before We Get Started Here’s Your News Recap:

Fed’s December decision just got weird. With key jobs data now arriving after the Dec 9–10 meeting, the Fed is openly weighing an unusual move: delaying the meeting so it isn’t flying “in a fog” on rate cuts. Markets currently price ~80% odds of a December cut, but officials are split between prioritizing inflation vs. unemployment.

Retail sales: up on paper, squeezed in reality. September retail & restaurant sales rose 0.2% after strong 0.6% gains in July and August, helped by still-resilient consumers. But AP notes lower-income households saw just 1% wage growth vs. 3.7% for the highest-income third, widening the spending gap heading into the holidays.

Wholesale inflation is firm but not scary. Producer (wholesale) prices rose 0.3% in September and 2.7% year-over-year, the last major inflation print the Fed sees before its December call. That’s enough to remind everyone inflation isn’t dead, but tame enough that it probably won’t single-handedly block another cut.

Wall Street kicks off the holiday week in full “AI-mode.” On Monday, the Nasdaq ripped +2.7%, the S&P 500 +1.6%, and the Dow +0.4% as AI “hyperscalers” and chip names surged. Alphabet’s new Gemini 3 model launch sparked gains of +6.3% for Alphabet and +11.1% / +8% / +5.5% for Broadcom, Micron, and AMD respectively.

Rate-cut odds spike on dovish Fed chatter. New York Fed President John Williams and San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly both signaled support for another 25 bps cut in December, citing labour-market risks over inflation. Fed-watch tools now show roughly 80%+ probability of a December cut—up from ~40% just last week.

Best Buy quietly became a holiday bright spot. The electronics giant raised its full-year sales outlook to ~$41.65–$41.95 billion and now expects comps up 0.5–1.2% instead of flat to down. Last quarter, comparable sales jumped 2.7%, its best gain in three years, sending the stock up nearly 3% pre-market.

Holiday spending: more dollars, less stuff. Analysts warn that inflation is pushing total holiday spending higher even as shoppers walk away with fewer goods, with many households leaning on BNPL and credit. That means headline sales numbers may look strong while margins and real volumes stay under pressure. 

Black Friday watch: some see a 4% drop in spending. A new forecast suggests Black Friday spending could fall ~4% year-over-year as consumer confidence hovers near record lows and tariffs keep prices sticky. Translation for retailers: promos will matter, but deep discounting could bleed profitability.

“Holiday volatility” is the phrase of the week on Wall Street. A holiday-outlook note flags liquidity shortages, tariff-driven cost pressure, and weak sentiment as key risk drivers for equities into year-end. Markets are increasingly trading every consumer datapoint—especially Black Friday and Cyber Monday—like an earnings report on the whole U.S. economy.

Gold catches a bid as traders hedge Fed confusion. Spot gold has regained bullish momentum as markets bet that modest producer-price inflation leaves room for at least one more cut in 2025. Strategists see gold benefiting from a mix of rate-cut expectations, geopolitics, and AI-bubble anxiety.

Bonds wobble on “what if inflation pops back up?” fears. U.S. Treasuries slipped as traders braced for delayed government data that could show a re-acceleration in prices, which would undercut the rate-cut narrative. For borrowers and levered firms, that’s a reminder: yield risk isn’t gone—just sleeping. 

Macro big-picture: growth still okay, but it’s a K-shape. With GDP likely near 3% annualised in Q3 but wage growth for the poorest third of households stuck at ~1%, the data scream “two-track economy.” Businesses selling to affluent, asset-owning customers may ride out the winter just fine—everyone else should plan for a cautious consumer.

3D Printing Re-Immagined

How to Start a Custom 3D Printing Business From Home

Transform digital designs into real products — and turn a simple machine into a $5K–$10K+ per month income stream.

The 3D printing industry is exploding. What used to be a high-tech novelty is now a booming business opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to turn creativity into cash. From custom products and prototypes to replacement parts and personalized gifts, a home-based 3D printing business can be incredibly profitable — and it’s easier to get started than most people think.

With the right strategy, equipment, and marketing, you can build a thriving 3D printing company that brings in $5,000–$10,000+ per month, even as a solo creator.

Here’s your step-by-step blueprint.

Step 1: Understand the 3D Printing Business Model

A custom 3D printing business offers on-demand manufacturing for individuals, small businesses, and even corporations. You can sell:

• Personalized items (keychains, nameplates, toys)

• Custom prototypes for inventors

• Replacement parts for appliances or gadgets

• Miniatures and collectibles

• Phone stands, organizers, home décor, and more

• Customized gifts for holidays and events

Your role is simple: create or download a 3D design, print it, finish it, and ship it. The margins are incredibly high — some products cost less than $2 in filament and sell for $20–$40.

Step 2: Learn the Basics of 3D Printing

Before you take orders, you need to understand how 3D printers work. Get familiar with:

• Printer setup and maintenance

• Filament types (PLA, ABS, PETG, resin)

• Basic modeling and slicing software

• Print times and finishing techniques

You don’t need a degree in design. You can learn everything from YouTube channels like CHEP, 3D Printing Nerd, or Maker’s Muse, or from free online tutorials.

Step 3: Choose a Niche (Make This Easy on Yourself)

You’ll grow faster if you pick a niche instead of trying to print everything. Some lucrative niches include:

• Tabletop gaming miniatures

• Cosplay props and accessories

• Custom nameplates and signage

• Prototype services for inventors

• Home organization tools

• Custom car parts or hobby components

Specializing makes your business stand out — and lets you charge more.

Step 4: Buy the Right Equipment

You don’t need a $5,000 machine to make big money. Start with affordable, high-performance printers like:

• Creality Ender 3 V2 or Ender 3 S1 (great for beginners)

• Anycubic Kobra

• Prusa i3 MK4 (premium, extremely reliable)

• Elegoo Mars or Anycubic Photon (for resin printing and fine detail)

Add essential accessories:

• Extra nozzles, beds, and filaments

• Sandpaper and finishing tools

• Calipers for precise measurements

• Storage bins for organization

• A small photo setup (lightbox + ring light) for product photos

Total startup cost can be as low as $300–$1,000.

Step 5: Master the Software

You’ll need two main types of tools:

1. Modeling Software (to design objects)

   • Blender (free)

   • Tinkercad (free, beginner-friendly)

   • Fusion 360 (free for hobbyists)

2. Slicer Software (to prepare prints)

   • Cura (free)

   • PrusaSlicer (free)

   • Lychee Slicer (for resin printing)

These tools determine print quality, speed, and material usage — all crucial to profitability.

Step 6: Start Selling on Multiple Platforms

You don’t need a storefront to begin. Start selling on:

• Etsy (custom products sell extremely well here)

• eBay

• Facebook Marketplace

• Shopify

• Your own website

• Local community groups and craft fairs

You can also offer B2B services like prototype printing for local inventors, engineers, and small businesses.

Step 7: Offer Custom and On-Demand Printing

This is where the real money comes in. Charge for:

• Custom designs ($20–$150+)

• Rush orders

• Bulk printing

• Large-format prints

• Specialty filament jobs (wood, metal-infused, flexible, glow-in-the-dark)

Businesses love custom prototypes — and they pay premium fees.

Step 8: Build Your Brand (This Is What Separates Winners From Hobbyists)

Create a professional presence so customers trust you:

• Use Canva to design a logo and banner

• Post time-lapse videos of your prints on TikTok and Instagram

• Upload high-quality photos

• Collect testimonials

• Use simple packing inserts to thank customers

People don’t just buy the product — they buy the story behind the maker.

Step 9: Scale With Automation and Hiring

Once orders start flowing in, growth becomes simple:

• Hire a virtual assistant to manage customer messages

• Hire a designer for complex custom jobs

• Hire a sales team to contact local businesses, schools, engineers, and hobby groups

• Add more printers and run multiple jobs at once

• Outsource shipping and fulfillment to part-time helpers

Within months, your business can become semi-automated, running smoothly without constant hands-on work.

Estimated Monthly Income Potential

Here’s what’s realistic depending on your level:

• Beginner (1 printer, 20–30 orders/month):
  $1,500–$3,000/month

• Intermediate (3–5 printers, Etsy + custom orders):
  $5,000–$10,000/month

• Advanced (full operation with team + B2B clients):
  $15,000–$30,000+/month

Margins are high, competition is manageable, and demand is growing every year.

Requirements to Start

• A room or dedicated space for printing

• Basic computer skills

• Willingness to learn design software

• $300–$1,000 startup capital

• Time for experimentation and testing

Websites & Tools You’ll Need

• Thingiverse / Printables / MyMiniFactory – Free printable models

• Etsy / Shopify – Selling platforms

• Fusion 360 / Blender – Design software

• Canva – Branding and thumbnails

• ShipStation – Fast shipping management

• QuickBooks – Track income and expenses

Products to Buy for Best Results

• 3D printer (Ender, Prusa, or Elegoo)

• PLA filament bundles

• Resin (if resin printing)

• Lightbox + LED lights

• High-quality calipers

• Power backup (to prevent failed prints)

• HEPA filtration if printing indoors

Pros

• Highly profitable with low material costs

• Flexible and scalable — work from home

• Creative and fun

• Endless niches and product opportunities

• High demand for custom and prototype prints

Cons

• Trial and error is required early on

• Printer maintenance can be time-consuming

• Peak seasons mean longer work hours

• Competition exists but is beatable with good branding

Summary: How to Grow a Custom 3D Printing Business

1. Learn the basics of 3D printing and modeling.

2. Choose a profitable niche and target audience.

3. Invest in reliable printers and essential tools.

4. Sell on Etsy, eBay, and local marketplaces.

5. Offer custom printing and B2B services.

6. Build your brand through visuals and social proof.

7. Scale with multiple printers, outsourcing, and a sales team.

With creativity, consistency, and smart automation, you can turn a simple 3D printer into a high-income manufacturing business that runs largely on its own — while you keep innovating, designing, and building.

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That’s A Wrap

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and if you have any questions about the post, upcoming posts, how to advertise, or anything else, feel free to reply. See you next time with another money-making post, helping you boost your income!

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the opinions of its editors and contributors. The content provided, including but not limited to real estate tips, stock market insights, business marketing strategies, and startup advice, is shared for general guidance and does not constitute financial, investment, real estate, legal, or business advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment, real estate, and business decisions involve inherent risks, and readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before taking any action. This newsletter does not establish a fiduciary, advisory, or professional relationship between the publishers and readers.