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3D Printing Near Me
Need 3D Printing Near Me? Here’s What to Look for in a Local Service Searching for “3D printing near me”? You’re not alone. Whether you’re
3D Riggers (Pty) Ltd
20/05/2025
Can 3D printing really be a profitable business model — or is it just an overhyped hobby? Whether you’ve got one printer tucked in your spare room or you’re still debating your first machine, the answer is: yes, 3D printing can be highly profitable — if you know where to focus.
At 3D Riggers, we turned a single desktop printer into a print farm of over 30 machines producing thousands of parts monthly. And we didn’t start with investor money or fancy tech. We started in a one-bedroom flat with R4000 ($400) and a passion for solving problems.
Here’s how we made it work — and how you can, too.
It all began with a modest SARS rebate and a bold decision. Our founder, a mechanical engineering student in Pretoria, used his R4000 ($400) rebate to buy a desktop 3D printer. Initially, it was just a hobby — printing parts for FPV drones and learning the ropes.
That changed when architecture students started asking for scaled figures and props. Suddenly, there was real demand — and real income.
Every cent earned was reinvested into two secondhand printers and a stash of filament. Still based in a one-bedroom flat, we broke into the car enthusiast market with a detachable number plate clip that took off, leading to more custom car parts and repeat clients.
Then COVID hit — and 3D printing exploded. Face shields were in high demand. We scaled from 3 to 8 printers in weeks, producing thousands of shields. That was our crash course in bulk production and fast turnarounds.
Shortly after, we landed our first recurring B2B client, manufacturing components for POS systems. That account taught us what really matters: recurring revenue + bulk orders = predictable profit.
Fast forward to today: we run a 30+ machine farm, printing high-quality parts in bulk for businesses across South Africa — all because we kept solving real problems and reinvesting every profit back into the business.
You don’t need 30 printers to be profitable. You just need the right approach:
✅ Solve real problems for real people
✅ Build relationships with businesses, not just one-time buyers
✅ Reinvest to grow sustainably
Even one machine can earn serious revenue if it’s solving pain points for niche markets.
🔁 Recurring B2B Clients – POS companies, packaging businesses, or hardware suppliers needing consistent parts
📦 Bulk Production – Forget one-offs; scale with batches of 100, 500, or 1,000
🚚 Rapid Turnaround – Offer local delivery in 3–7 days and beat international suppliers
🎯 Value-Driven Pricing – Price for speed and reliability, not just cost-per-gram
📘 See how 3D printing compares to traditional manufacturing for small-batch and custom production.
Many beginners struggle because they:
❌ Focus on toys or gimmicks instead of functional parts
❌ Undercharge, trying to compete with mass importers
❌ Don’t understand print-ready design or waste time fixing files
Avoid those traps by positioning yourself as a solution provider, not a printer-for-hire.
Yes — and we’re living proof. But you need:
Focus
Consistency
The right client base
Whether you’re printing silicone mold masters, brackets, or cookie cutters by the thousands — real profit comes from repeat orders and solving problems.
We’re working on a short course that breaks down our exact process from one printer to a full production farm.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
✅ How to pick a niche that actually pays
✅ Real-world pricing models that scale
✅ Examples of profitable parts (with margins)
✅ How to land your first few paying clients — fast
📬 Want early access? Join the waiting list below.
👉 Sign up for the waiting list
Let’s see if there’s enough interest to build it together.
If we built a thriving 3D printing business from a tiny flat and a rebate, there’s no reason you can’t do the same. It’s not about tech — it’s about solving real-world problems, delivering fast, and never stopping the reinvestment cycle.
Start small. Think big. Print smart.
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