The numbers
| Sells for | $4 to $8 |
|---|---|
| Print time | 1 to 2 h |
| Filament | 15 to 30 g |
| Cost per item | $4.33 |
| Marketplace fees | $1.02 |
| Left per sale | $0.65 |
| Per print hour | $0.43 |
| Demand (niche) | Low |
| Competition | Low |
| Legal and licence risk | Low |
| Evidence | Idea to test |
Estimates for one item at the middle of the price range, after filament, power, machine wear, marketplace fees and your time at $15 an hour. Shipping not included. Not sales data.
How the score adds up
Profit per print hour1/30
Demand6/25
Low competition20/20
Low legal risk15/15
Evidence quality2/10
Demand and legal risk come from the niche Beekeeping hive tools. An idea to test can score 69 at most until someone has seen it for sale.
Why it can work
- Few sellers compared with other products
- Low brand or licence risk if the design is your own
- Seasonal demand: Late winter to spring, based on my judgement.
Why it might fail
- Under $2 estimated profit per print hour
- Thin public evidence, so treat these numbers with care
Be aware before you sell
Free entrance guard files exist on MakerWorld, so confirm licences before selling. No obvious IP issue, but do not copy a patented or branded queen-rearing system. Etsy asks for your own original design, so a licensed file may not qualify.
Check your versionRun your own numbers