This was a LinkedIn post that I thought would be a nice Behind the Scenes for ya'll.
I fully admit it started as a fun hobby looking for an excuse to be in the store, luckily as a brick-and-mortar retailer we have found plenty of great ways to save money and make money with a 3D printer.
Saving Money
Custom pen & knife stands have let us show off special items and set our store apart from anyone using the factory supplied same old setups. In addition, I have found using a single display will let me know if customers like it before I make a batch to sell (that might just sit if my idea sucks). Also if a item is a real hit I can make them freebies for customers at a much better price point than ordering from a Promotional products vendor.
There was a time in retail when all product displays either came from the manufacturer or a few factories making retail fixtures. Of course, full custom has always been an option but unless you are selling to the 1% crowd then you need a more cost-effective way to show off those pretty things. For the fine writing side of things we have trays and stands, and so does every other pen shop. On the knife side, it is either single blade stands or stacking trays and these might not match the space we want to use. Custom-designed and printed stands have let us show off more products in a better way.
In the back of shop, we have put our 3D printer to work making pegboard tool holders and other custom fixtures that have solved problems cheaper and faster than anything we could buy.
Making Money
Of course, saving money means keeping more of what you earn, but printing money (in the form of products for sale) is even better.
Our Ink Goblet is a perfect example of seeing a product in the market that I felt could be made better, cheaper, and more fun for our customers. Our balisong stand is along the same lines as something functional in the store and for a customer at home.
Add-on sales are always a nice way to increase AOV (average order value) and when someone is gift shopping it adds a unique touch when they pick out a 3D-printed stand to match the pen or knife. Indirectly sales can increase when a customer shares a social media post using one of our stands which leads to talking about how to where it came from.
Seasonal items or trending styles can be added to inventory continually until demand tapers off without worries of too much or too late when ordered from someone else. Plus when customers give me tips on improvements or changes I can make quick changes and they actually feel part of the team.
I am not saying everyone should have a 3D printer in their store (that would really crush my uniqueness) however if it is already something you have a interest in then let this be your rationalazition for getting cool tool.