If you’ve been thinking about grabbing a 3D printer and turning it into a money machine, you’re not alone. 3D printing has become one of the fastest-growing side hustles because it’s low-cost, customizable, and the demand for unique, functional, and personalized items is skyrocketing.
The best part? You don’t have to be an engineer. You just need a printer, basic software (often free), and a list of top-selling items to start printing and earning.
Let’s break down exactly what you can print, how much you can make, where to get supplies, and where to sell your creations.
Top-Selling Items to 3D Print for Extra Income
Below are the most profitable, beginner-friendly items currently trending across Etsy, TikTok Shop, eBay, and craft fairs.
Each product includes:
✔ What it is
✔ Why it sells
✔ How much it costs to make
✔ Potential selling price & profit
✔ Where it’s popular
1. Custom Keychains & Personalized Name Tags
Why They Sell:
Everyone loves personalized accessories — and keychains are inexpensive, fast to print, and incredibly popular for gifting. Etsy is overflowing with orders for name tags, gamer font keychains, pet name tags, and event swag.
Cost to Make:
$0.10–$0.50 in filament
Selling Price:
$5–$15
Profit:
High — margins often exceed 80–90%
Popularity:
Huge on Etsy, school events, teacher gifts, and small business branding.
2. Cable Management Clips & Desk Organization Accessories
What They Are:
Think cord organizers, cable clips, under-desk mounts, headphone stands, pen holders, and drawer inserts.
Why They Sell:
Everyone is trying to organize their home office. These are functional, trendy, and often sell in multi-packs.
Cost to Make:
$0.25–$2.00
Selling Price:
$10–$25 per set
Profit:
$8–$20 profit per set
Popularity:
Very strong on Amazon Handmade, Etsy, and TikTok Shop.
3. Plant Pots, Self-Watering Pots & Planters
Why They Sell:
The houseplant trend is still booming. Printed planters with geometric designs, faces, animals, or custom text are top sellers.
Cost to Make:
$1–$2
Selling Price:
$12–$35
Profit:
$10–$30 each
Popularity:
Huge on Etsy and local craft fairs.
Read More How to Find the Best Holiday Craft Markets to Sell Items
4. Board Game Accessories (Organizers, Card Holders, Dice Towers)
What They Are:
Custom inserts, miniature figure stands, game token trays, and dice towers for popular games like Catan or D&D.
Why They Sell:
The tabletop gaming community LOVES upgrades and custom pieces. These items regularly sell out on Etsy.
Cost to Make:
$1–$5
Selling Price:
$10–$40
Profit:
Often 70%+
Popularity:
Large online — Etsy, niche gaming shops, eBay.
5. Cookie Cutters & Baking Tools
Why They Sell:
Home bakers and holiday bakers constantly look for new shapes and seasonal themes. Custom cookie cutters are easy to design and print.
Cost to Make:
$0.25–$0.75
Selling Price:
$5–$12
Profit:
Nearly pure profit
Popularity:
Extreme around holidays; strong all year on Etsy
6. Phone Stands & Charging Docks
Why They Sell:
Everyone needs a desk or nightstand stand. TikTok repeatedly boosts viral 3D-printed phone stands including figurine stands, foldable stands, and ergonomic docks.
Cost to Make:
$0.50–$2.00
Selling Price:
$10–$25
Profit:
$8–$20 profit
Popularity:
Strong on TikTok, Etsy, and Amazon Handmade.
7. Custom Lithophanes (Photos Turned Into 3D Light Art)
What They Are:
Lithophanes are 3D prints that reveal a detailed image when lit from behind — commonly used for nightlights, lamps, and memorial gifts.
Why They Sell:
They’re emotional, personalized, and look premium while costing very little to make.
Cost to Make:
$1–$3
Selling Price:
$25–$100 depending on size/frame
Profit:
$20–$95 each
Popularity:
Very strong on Etsy as personalized gifts.
8. Replacement Parts (Knobs, Clips, Brackets, Household Fixes)
Why They Sell:
People constantly lose or break small household parts. 3D-printed replacements save buyers the hassle of buying full sets or brand-name parts.
Examples include:
- Vacuum cleaner clips
- Dishwasher wheels
- Cabinet knobs
- Curtain rod brackets
- Custom mount adapters
Cost to Make:
$0.50–$2
Selling Price:
$8–$20
Profit:
$7–$18 per piece
Popularity:
Big on eBay and local marketplaces.
9. Toys, Fidget Toys & Miniatures
Why They Sell:
Kids and collectors love small figures, articulated animals, and mini fidget toys. These often go viral and become impulse buys.
Cost to Make:
$0.20–$2
Selling Price:
$5–$25 depending on size
Profit:
High — usually 70–90%
Popularity:
Booming on TikTok Shop and Instagram
10. Digital STL Files (Sell the File, Not the Print!)
What They Are:
3D model files customers download to print at home.
Why They Sell:
This creates passive income — you design something once and sell it forever.
Cost to Make:
Your time only
Selling Price:
$2–$15 per file
Profit:
100% digital profit
Popularity:
Huge on Etsy and Cults3D
Get Started Selling
Starting a 3D printing side hustle is one of the most flexible, creative, and profitable ways to earn extra money from home. With a single printer, some filament, and a few hours a week, you can turn simple designs into real income and even scale into a full-time business if you want.
