Here, we’ll take a look at seven of the best dedicated platforms you can use to do so.
1. Shapeways
Founded in 2007, Shapeways is a marketplace for selling 3D models. It has its headquarters in New York City. Peter Weijmarshausen, Marleen Vogelaar, and Robert Schouwenburg founded the company.
You can upload your 3D models and set your prices as a seller. Shapeways takes care of the production and shipping, and you receive a commission on each sale.
To start selling 3D models on Shapeways, you can start by opening your shop. Once you’ve set the name, you’ll need to verify your shop. To do so, you need to either purchase a 3D model from the marketplace or one of your own.
When you open your shop and verify, you can start selling your 3D models. Click on the three dots in the right-hand section and choose Create A Product, as shown below.
A window will open where you can add more details to your 3D designs; once done, you can save the changes.
2. CGTrader
With over two million models available, CGTrader is one of the places where you can find 3D models for digital design. Once you sign up to the website, go to My Models > Model Upload and start uploading your designs.
Once the 3D model is uploaded, you can place the preview image and embed a video. You will also need to add the title, description, and tags. There are additional options to put technical details like textures, materials, and PBR. You can then choose the category and set the pricing and licensing of your 3D model.
3. Etsy
Etsy is an online marketplace that specializes in handmade and vintage items. However, it allows users to sell digital products, including 3D models. You can reach a vast audience of potential buyers with your 3D models.
You only need an Etsy account and a computer with 3D design software to get started. There are many options for free CAD software available that you can use to create your 3D models, you just need to choose the best one for your project.
To get started, you sign up and then go to Sell on Etsy > Get Started. The site will direct you to a page where you begin by choosing what brings you to Etsy, and then you’ll be ready to start selling your 3D models.
After that, you can name your shop and set up payment methods as well as security. The platform also offers a wide range of services, such as shipping and marketing support, which can be invaluable for small businesses.
4. Cults3D
You can sell anything from simple objects to complex designs on Cults3D. The site has a large and active community of users where designers add new 3D models daily, and there is no limit to what you can sell on the platform.
You can set your price for each model, and most sellers offer discounts for bulk purchases. There’s also a section of the site dedicated to free 3D models, so you can get an idea of what’s popular before you start selling.
To start selling your 3D models, sign up, then go to Upload > Add a 3D Model. In this section, you can include the name of your design, description, 3D printing settings, category, and tags.
Once done, go to the Files section and upload your 3D designs. You can upload ZIP, OBJ, 3DS, or STL files, and there is also a section to upload photos in JPG, GIF, WEBP, or GIF formats.
Cults3D takes care of all the payment processing and file delivery, so you don’t have to worry about those logistics. All you need to do is upload your 3D model files and create a listing. Then, you can start promoting your listings and making sales.
5. Turbosquid
Turbosquid has over two million active buyers, and because it’s a global marketplace, you can sell to buyers worldwide. Not only that, but they offer many ways to promote your products, including featured listings, social media promotion, and more.
Once you create an account on the website, go to the Sell Your 3D Models section, and a page will launch where you can start uploading your 3D models and selling them. Select Let’s Get Started!
The site will then launch a page for adding your details as an artist. Once you add your details, click Save Account Settings, and you will get an option to upload your ID to secure your account.
Once you are verified, you will get a notification to go to the Turbosquid portal, squid, where you can manage your designs.
Squid makes it easier for 3D artists to manage orders and track sales. To upload a 3D model through squid, go to Publishing > TurboSquid Publisher > Create New Product. In this section, you can upload your 3D models and add preview images and textures. Then add the title and price.
When done, you can preview it to see how it will look to the users and if everything is good, you will click Publish, and your design will be live. Turbosquid provides tools to help users get the most out of their platform. For example, the site offers Pixelsquid, where you can get free and paid 3D assets for your project.
6. MyMinifactory
MyMinifactory is a 3D printing community and marketplace that hosts thousands of free and paid 3D printable files and provides a platform for designers to share their work. To start selling on MyMinifactory, you must first open a store.
In order to open the store, you’ll need to register or log in, go to Community > Monetize, and you will see an option to subscribe using PayPal for only $24.99/month.
Once you subscribe, you’ll receive an email with instructions on uploading your STL files.
7. Renderosity
Renderosity is a digital art community for artists of all skill levels, from beginner to professional. With more than one and a half million members and over ten million unique visitors per month, it is one of the largest online communities where 3D artists can sell their models.
With Renderosity, you can set your prices and offer discounts to buyers. You also have the option of providing exclusive rights to buyers. To start selling, sign up and log in to the website. Go to the profile section and choose Become a Vendor.
You will see an option to open a Renderosity store. Once you click it, it will display your name, phone, email, and bio.
After you fill in your details, you will also see an option to set the minimum payment you will receive. Once you set up your store, you can upload your 3D models to the platform.
Earn Money by Selling Your 3D Models
With the rise of 3D printers, there has never been a better time to be a 3D modeler. Thanks to these new devices, anyone can bring their designs to life with just a few clicks of a button. And as technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for what you can create are virtually endless, so selling your 3D models is a great way to earn some extra dollars.
And if you’re short of ideas for future models, there are plenty of models where you can find 3D models for digital design.
