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I wonder how do you conduct your businesses. How do you promote yourselves outside 3D Hubs? Or is it maybe 3D Hubs only? How many orders do you get? How does it change over time? Would you share any concrete figures? Do you have any tips for businnes development in this area for a rookie?

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@Cinter @Christian_CAD @Francesco_P any advice for @3DMakers?

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Hello @3DMakers

We use 3D printing as a tool within our business which offers design and engineering services with a defined focus on materials science and IP generation. Prototyping is the primary use for our 3D printers. However I can answer some, if not all of your questions with regard to our relationship with 3D Hubs and the effect on our business at Cinter.

  • How do we promote ourselves outside 3D Hubs?
    Creating valuable networks is the key to most business development. We attend many events, speaking engagements and workshops which not only develop our understanding in key fields but also establish new relationships. New business can be generated directly or through recommendation.
  • Or is it maybe 3D Hubs only?
    We have found greatest benefit from attending and hosting meet-ups as Mayor for 3D Hubs. In most cases it is this direct engagement with potential customers that brings in the most sales. See your hub page as your shop window, make it attractive and inviting!
  • How many orders do you get?
    We maximise our orders on 3D Hubs by inviting direct requests to use the platform. We have found in doing this we don’t have to deal with unnecessary work associated with client management, it also provides us a fantastic pricing structure that is automatically calculated.
  • How does it change over time?
    We have obtained recognition from reviews and work generated. Our hub has become quite reputable for printing Fairphone cases due to our selection of colours.
  • Do you have any tips for business development in this area for a rookie?
    Get on social media! Use all the various tags and hashtags available. These tags will be picked up by the guys at 3D Hubs who are really good at sharing, favouriting and generating 3D printing conversation in this space.

Please contact us directly if you have any more questions at contact@cinterdesign.com

I hope I have been of some help

Kindest regards,

Charlotte Downs

Co-Director

Cinter
@Cinterdesign

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@gabriela3d done :slight_smile:

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Thanks, Charlotte, brilliant answer! :slight_smile: I’m sure that many hubs will find it helpful. Cheers!

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This is a really helpful reply. So glad to see this. :slight_smile: Thanks Cinter. @Cinter

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Awesome stuff!

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https://www.3dhubs.com/utrecht/events/eerste-3d-hub-event-utrecht

good theme for our first 3dhubs utrecht meetup

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Many thanks Charlotte for your answer, it is really helpfull. I’ve read it just after you posted it but now, after some activities on the field and internal communication I’d like to come back to you with next questions.

I see that you are present on 3DHubs for bit over than a year. I also see that you have 38 reviews. I can’t find the number of jobs you’ve made so guess that the order of magnitude is similar to this. Is it then correct to think, that the size of the market, with reasonable marketing, similar to what you described, are in the range of tens per year? What average order value should I assume, could it be 30$? If so, is my guess about the size of the accessible market is valued in the range of 3000$ per year correct? I know it can vary, that’s obvious, I just want to feel the scale. What would you say?

Second question is the following. Do I understand correctly that your first businnes, I mean the one you kind of “grown up from”, was the general material design center and 3D Printing is only one of the methods you use to produce your designs? I’m not sure if I understand your history correctly.

Best regards and thanks once again!

Rafał

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Good for every meetup :wink:

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@Cinter, any chances for your reply? If the data are anyhow secret I’d appreciate your answer at least in the subjects or data you can share.

Rafał

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Hello Rafal,

Sorry for the delay in response.

Our magnitude of orders is far greater than the 38 reviews seen on our profile. We also haven’t got any quantifiable data about the contracts and workshops that have also been generated through the networking and events offered by 3DHubs. I also must inform you that we joined 3D Hubs at the very end of 2013 and most orders did not come in until about the second quarter of 2014.

With regards to size and scale of the industry it depends highly on what market you are targeting. Our high value printing jobs tend to be included in a full ‘idea to manufacture’ design contract and are therefore dealt with outside the network. I have been informed that some organisations have had an annual turnover of £30,000+ through the network from supplying the props industry. Keep in mind this is a growing sector, we have seen orders placed with us increase dramatically over time particularly as 3DHubs start to take on more partnerships.

My team and I, established Cinter in early 2013. We offer services in engineering, design thinking and material sciences. Our 3D printers are just a tool for us to conceptualise and test our work in 3Dimensions rapidly and at a relatively low cost. With regards to history, my team has a varied set of backgrounds and skills, I previously worked in the fashion industry and my colleagues span across site engineering to graphic design, curation…the list goes on :).

Hope this has given you a better idea.

Kindest regards,

Charlotte

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Hi Charlotte,

Your answer is very valuable again, many thanks. I believe we now need some time to figure out something that will work in our environment but anyway, the experience which you’ve shared is surely usefull.

Best regards,

Rafał

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