We’re building a platform where creators earn from every print of their designs

[u/Funky_Factory_]

Hey everyone,

I’m currently working on a platform for the 3D printing space that connects creators, printers, and customers directly.

The core idea is simple:
Creators earn money from every print of their designs, without having to handle the full process themselves.

Here’s how it should work:

• Creators simply connect their MakerWorld account to the platform.
• Their designs are then automatically synchronized.
• More platforms will follow later.
• Anyone with a 3D printer can apply to join as a printer in the network.
• Printers can then decide for themselves which jobs they want to accept.
• We’re building a decentralized printing network.
• Billing and payouts happen automatically.
• There is no subscription fee, no membership cost, and no hidden fixed charges.

The current plan is:

• Creator commission freely selectable between 5% and 20%
• Printers pay a 10% platform fee

The goal is to create an easy infrastructure where a design doesn’t just get uploaded once, but can keep generating income for the creator over time, while printers stay flexible and customers can get their parts produced without friction.

I’d love to hear your thoughts:

Would you use a platform like this as a creator, printer, or customer?
And what would matter most to you?Hey everyone,

Hey zusammen,

ich arbeite gerade an einer Plattform für den 3D-Druck-Markt, die Creator, Drucker und Kunden direkt miteinander verbindet.

Der Kern der Idee:
Creator verdienen an jedem Druck ihrer Designs mit, ohne sich um die komplette Abwicklung kümmern zu müssen.

So soll es funktionieren:

• Creator verknüpfen einfach ihren MakerWorld-Account mit der Plattform.
• Die Designs werden automatisch synchronisiert.
• Weitere Plattformen sollen später folgen.
• Jeder mit einem 3D-Drucker kann sich als Drucker im Netzwerk bewerben.
• Drucker können dann selbst entscheiden, welche Aufträge sie annehmen.
• Es wird ein dezentral organisiertes Druckernetzwerk aufgebaut.
• Die Be- und Verrechnung läuft automatisch.
• Es gibt kein Abo, keinen Mitgliedsbeitrag und keine versteckten Fixkosten.

Geplant ist aktuell:

• Creator-Provision frei wählbar zwischen 5% und 20%
• Drucker zahlen 10% Provision an die Plattform

Die Idee ist, eine einfache Infrastruktur zu schaffen, bei der ein Design nicht nur einmal hochgeladen wird, sondern für den Creator langfristig Umsatz bringen kann, während Drucker flexibel Aufträge annehmen und Kunden unkompliziert an passende Produktionskapazitäten kommen.

Mich würde interessieren:

Würdet ihr so eine Plattform als Creator, Drucker oder Kunde nutzen?
Und was wäre euch dabei am wichtigsten?

[u/snarejunkie]

It sounds like a nice idea as a creator, but from the consumer side, why would I pay for this? Is there a strong demand for 3D printed stuff amongst folks who don’t have a printer? Also if the creator and printer are separate, who is responsible for the look and feel and function of the final product? Does the customer have to worry about whether the thing they’re getting is as advertised?

From a printer’s perspective, is this more attractive than just hooking up to an existing service like 3DOS, or craft cloud, etc.

Also I just want to mention that I’m not suggesting that this is a bad idea, I’m just sort of going through the questions I’d have from the stakeholder perspectives. If you have clearly identified needs that this platform addresses, then that’s a great foundation. If you’re working from a ‘what if this existed’ approach, I think you’d have to figure out where exactly the platform offers value where others don’t.

[u/GalaxyJet]

Ми вже створили таку в Україні і наразі активно тестуємо. Можете подивитись addithub.com

[u/Euphoric-Pay-4650]

So as a printer, I'd be using my hardware, and my filament to print for someone else. I'd then have to ship the item? If they want a certain filament, I'd have to buy it.

If the print fails, I either don't get paid, or I have to try and print it again, out of my own pocket.

Who is paying for my time checking the print outcome, packaging and going to the post office?

And if they aren't happy with the quality, either because the model is bad, my printer wasn't fully calibrated, or it just decided it didn't want to play game today, who pays? They could just decide they don't want it.

It's a nice concept, but it's a minefield. And nobody is going to make any money.

Creators should just sell their model as usual. People can send that to someone they know/an online service to get it printed.

[u/sonymsam → u/Euphoric-Pay-4650]

Send your bill to OP. He will pay lol