Ever since I started writing at 3DPI, I have visited dozens of 3D print shops. From New York City to Tel Aviv, and all over Europe (Lisbon, Barcelona, Berlin, London, Budapest, and Italy from North to South). I have found 3D print shops that had some very unique traits, while at the same time all shared one feature: they were all founded by people who already had an in-depth familiarity with 3D modelling software. Generally, it seems, Makers open FabLabs and “CADders” open 3D print shops.
Solid3DPrinting, a new shop that my friend Mauro Maffini just opened in Milan, a few hundred meters from my house, takes a different approach. When I met Mauro, about two years ago, he had never used a 3D printer nor any 3D modelling software and, yet, he saw in the 3D printing an opportunity to change life and face new challenges.
He had just sold his real estate company to his partner and was now set on opening a 3D print shop. At the time, I suggested he begin this new adventure by – first and foremost – buying a 3D printer, which, after trying a Sharebot test unit I had received, he promptly did. Since I have been closely following his adventure from the very beginning, I was able to assess the challenges and opportunities as he faced them. And I continue to do so now, since I have made his shop into my test-unit review lab and base.
With Solid3Dprinting, he has leveraged his own commercial and real estate skills to run a successful business. Those in the know say that there are three main requirements to succeed with a shop: location, location, and location. As a real estate agent, Mauro was able to – whether by luck or intuition – select the best possible location in terms of quality/cost ratio. After that, he carefully selected reliable 3D printers, such as the Zortrax M200 and BeeVeryCreative’s BeeTheFirst for reselling, along with a Gimax and Sharebot, mainly used for servicing.
One other very interesting 3D printer used in the shop for service is the “Multimaker”, an original, custom 3D printer, entirely designed and assembled by Mauro’s friend, Antonio Bencini. He also signed a deal with Dimafix for distribution of their powerful fixative spray, optimised for 3D printing, along with deals with EUMAKERS for PLA filament and TreeD for technical and exotic filaments, such as nylon and mineral-based composites.
In this phase of the industry, the best location is not necessarily dependent on an overly crowded central location with many curious passersby coming in just to discover something new. The best location is a residential, metropolitan area with a discrete number of well-off potential customers. Solid3DPrinting is conveniently located next to a gym and a photographic studio (which, in Milan, means that there are models walking by the shop day in and day out).
The reason why the first 3D print shop necessarily had to leverage 3D modelling skills is because most people did not have them, or those who had them had not yet discovered the possibilities offered by low-cost 3D printing. Now, all that has changed (or at least it is changing rapidly). The biggest surprise during these first three months of Solid3DPrinting business has been that a good number of customers come to the shop with a 3D file ready for 3D printing. These are architects, engineers, and even hobbyists.
While the store is still in a very early phase, Mauro can count on a significant source of income simply from 3D printing. Revolving around this primary business, he has diversified the range of products offered by forming partnerships with several synergistic professionals operating in the field.
He turned to a local photogrammetric 3D scanning and color 3D printing studio to offer miniature color statuettes. This is also already a blooming business that is attracting an elevated number of customers, especially through specific initiatives that involve local gyms, coffee shops, and bars. The studio can offer Solid3DPrinting’s customers access to full color 3D printing and full body 3D scans. At the same time, the shop acts as a window for the studio, which would otherwise have a much harder time reaching its potential customer base.
Mauro’s ability with 3D printers has improved significantly – especially since he has had access to many of my own test units – and he has begun to muster basic 3D modeling. The most complex prototyping jobs, especially those requiring 3D scanning and reverse engineering, on the other hand, are outsourced to professional studios, including Materialise.
Until just a short while ago, I did not think that a business could sustain itself purely on offering 3D printing services without internal 3D modelling and 3D scanning. After spending several of my days over the past three months at Solid3DPrinting, I have changed my mind. Location is still a fundamental aspect to take into account when opening any shop. However diversification – and not only 3D modelling and CAD capabilities – can be the key to medium-term success.
It may not pay big dividends in the short term and may not work everywhere, but this means that the market for 3D printing is now open to a much wider demographic both with respect to 3D print shop visitors and 3D print shop owners.