Project: 3DMRC – Building a 3D Printing Farm in Japan

HiZac Hartley，

thank you for your course—your 3D printing farm is truly inspiring and feels like my long-term goal.

My name is Siyu Qian (嗣瑜 钱). I’m originally from Shanghai, China, and I’m currently studying at Osaka Gakuin University in Japan. I bought my first 3D printer in middle school and have been learning 3D modeling since then. My main CAD software is Rhino.

On October 27, 2023, I founded a university 3D printing club called Fantasy Geek, originally focused on creating anime-related cosplay props with 3D printing. Later, I also became the representative of a Gundam modeling/painting club on campus, and I rebranded my manufacturing/tool line as 3DMRC. Across both clubs, we have 18 members, and we run an open learning environment where members choose what they want to build and improve.

During club activities, I noticed a recurring problem: people lose time because tools and parts aren’t organized. I designed a modular tool storage solution, and members told me they would pay for it if it were sold commercially. That feedback pushed me to start product development seriously.

At a model event, I paid ¥8,000 for a selling booth and launched my first product: the 3DMRC Quick-Release Sanding Board (a handle + interchangeable sanding plates for different grits).

• Produced: 37 sets

• Price: ¥1,500 / set

• Material + packaging cost: ~¥500 / set

• Result: sold out during the 2-day event and earned ~¥29,000 profit (after booth fee)

That weekend completely changed my mindset—customer feedback and improvement suggestions made me want to keep iterating. Since then, I’ve been developing new products, testing them with my club members, and improving them based on real usage.

After seeing your 3D printing farm approach, I want to take the next step: build a 3D printing farm in Japan to manufacture and sell my own brand’s products sustainably. This project submission is the beginning of that roadmap, and I’d love to share it with you and learn from your feedback.

Thank you again for the course!

I chose this printer setup because the Creality Ender-3 V3 is one of the most durable, stable, and cost-effective machines I’ve used. In Japan, it’s possible to find a good used Ender-3 V3 for around ¥35,000. While it doesn’t support multi-color printing, that limitation doesn’t affect my workflow—most of my products are printed in black PETG and orange PETG. For parts that do require multi-color output (such as logos or label components), I use the Creality Hi to print them in multiple colors and then assemble them with the main PETG parts.

Sales Channels (Japan) — Mercari & BOOTH

I currently sell my products on two platforms in Japan: Mercari (メルカリ) and BOOTH.

I use Mercari primarily because it’s very easy to register and, more importantly, it offers highly optimized shipping options with many detailed size categories at low prices. Shipping cost is a major factor for small 3D-printed products—on normal shipping, postage can easily take 40–50% of total cost. With Mercari’s shipping system, I can often reduce that ratio to around 30–40%, which directly improves my margins.
Because of this, I often design products around Mercari’s maximum package size thresholds to maximize profit.
Downside: listing is time-consuming. I can’t manage inventory quantities in one listing—if I want to sell 10 units, I must create 10 separate listings, which costs a lot of time and energy. Still, since my current sales volume is not huge and I want to minimize costs, I continue to use Mercari as a practical testbed for new products.
Mercari profile: https://jp.mercari.com/user/profile/828131598

I also run a store on BOOTH, because it’s more flexible and creator-friendly. I can customize my shop page and manage inventory counts easily. For fulfillment, I can either ship items myself or use BOOTH’s warehouse/shipping services. The warehouse option reduces my profit margin, but it saves time and operational effort. BOOTH also supports international shipping: I simply send stock to their warehouse, and they handle overseas deliveries and charge additional fees to the customer. I don’t have many international orders yet, but I keep it enabled because it requires no extra work from me and supports future growth.
BOOTH shop: https://fantasygeek.booth.pm/

3DMRC Current Product Lineup (5 Products) 1) MRC Foldable Runner Stand (Standard)

A foldable stand for organizing runner frames during plastic model building. It folds flat when not in use, helping save desk space—ideal for compact workbenches.

• Highlights: foldable / space-saving / 7 mm slot width compatible with common HG/MG runners

• Material: PETG (3D printed)

• Price: ¥1,666(shipping included)

2) MRC Foldable Runner Stand PRO

A higher-capacity version of the standard stand, designed for heavier build sessions and improved workflow.

• Capacity: holds up to 22 runner frames

• Highlights: foldable / space-saving / 7 mm slot width (HG/MG compatible) / lightweight yet durable PETG

• Dimensions:

  • Folded: approx. 210 × 215 × 20 mm

  • Expanded: approx. 210 × 186 × 146 mm

• Price: ¥2,222 (shipping included)

3) MRC Runner Cut Tray

A dedicated tray designed to catch runner scraps while cutting parts, reducing the stress of “scraps flying everywhere” and making cleanup easier.

• Two-tone design: black body + orange drawer for high visibility

• Removable drawer: fully detachable—dump scraps directly into a trash bin

• Slim slot layout: narrower body fits naturally between your hands while working

• Hole size: 4 × 6 mm (captures small scraps effectively)

• Dimensions: 198 × 94.5 × 22 mm

• Material: PETG (3D printed)

• Price: ¥1,666 (shipping included)

4) 3DMRC Modular Tool Organizer 2.0

A second-generation modular desktop organizer for model-making and painting tools. Users can customize the layout based on their tool set and workflow.

• Modular, configurable layout to match different work styles

• 2.0 upgrade: changed from magnetic fixing (older version) to a slide-rail locking system for stronger stability and less wobble during use

• 9 module types available (Module #9 is designed for Mr.Hobby square bottles and uses 2 slots)

• How to order: after purchase, send the module numbers and quantities via message; I confirm and then produce/ship

• Dimensions: 250 × 115 × 90 mm

• Price: ¥3,777 + ¥300 shipping (module type does not change the price; optional spare module available)

5) MRC Runner Label Clips (with Storage Box)

Clip-on labels that attach directly to runner frames for identification and organization, improving build efficiency. Includes a dedicated storage box for clean transport and storage.

• One-touch attachment to runners

• Helps identify and sort runner frames quickly

• Includes storage box for neat organization

• Customization available: add “Custom Order” (+¥300) for custom text/special specs

• Material: PETG

• Price: ¥999 (shipping included)

In Development — 3DMRC Stackable Model Transport Case (Black PETG + TPU Cushioning)

I’m currently developing a stackable model transport case designed to safely carry finished plastic model builds to events and exhibitions. I believe this product has strong “bestseller potential” because it solves a high-friction problem for modelers: safe transport without bulky foam, messy packing, or single-use protection materials.

Build & Material Strategy

• Outer shell: Black PETG for rigidity, durability, and a clean professional look

• Cushioning parts: TPU 95A, designed to hold the model centered and reduce impact transmission

• Cushion structure: 5% gyroid infill (spiral-like structure) inside the TPU pieces

  • My goal is to keep enough softness for shock absorption while maintaining better support than softer TPU options.

Key Concept

• Modular stackable layers: each layer carries one model; users can stack multiple layers depending on how many builds they need to transport.

• 3D-print-optimized protection: a reusable system combining a rigid shell + engineered flexible cushioning—something that’s difficult to replicate with off-the-shelf boxes.

Pricing (Shipping Included)

• Single-layer set: ¥2,222

• 4-layer full set: ¥6,999

This product is still in testing, and I’m currently validating stability, drop/impact resistance, and real-world usability before expanding production.

If you’re interested in my work and my 3D printing farm project, you can also find updates on my X (Twitter) account here:

  https://x.com/FANTASYGEEK66   Once again, thank you for your course. It has been highly inspiring and very helpful to me.