{"id":1167,"date":"2022-06-14T16:51:34","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T16:51:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/?p=1167"},"modified":"2026-05-30T16:02:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T16:02:46","slug":"how-to-sell-3d-models","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/how-to-sell-3d-models\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Sell 3D Models Online [Ultimate Guide]"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Are you keen to create a digital product to sell online? Lots of online entrepreneurs create things like <a href=\"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/how-to-sell-ebooks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ebooks<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/payhip.com\/features\/sell-courses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">online courses<\/a> \u2014 but perhaps you want to try something a little different. One great option you might not have considered is creating 3D models.<\/p>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_3D_Models_%E2%80%93_and_Why_Sell_Them\"><\/span>What are 3D Models \u2013 and Why Sell Them?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>3D models are a type of artwork or design, so it\u2019ll definitely help if you have some strong illustration, graphic design, or art-related skills. You also need special software to create 3D models.<\/p>\n\n<p>Selling 3D models could potentially provide you with a steady income stream \u2014 though it\u2019s important to know that it\u2019s quite a competitive marketplace. If you just want an outlet for your creative skills or a good excuse to experiment with Blender while making a bit of money, then selling 3D models could be the perfect side hustle.<\/p>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Create_3D_Models_to_Sell\"><\/span>How to Create 3D Models to Sell<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Before you create 3D models to sell, you\u2019ll need suitable software. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blender.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Blender<\/a> is a great place to begin as it\u2019s a popular option and it\u2019s free and open source. You can download it to your computer and start experimenting.<\/p>\n\n<p>As you start to brainstorm ideas for your 3D models, consider what you intend them to be used for. 3D models can be used for a wide range of purposes, including:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>Video game assets<\/li>\n  <li>Animations<\/li>\n  <li>3D printing<\/li>\n  <li>Architecture environments<\/li>\n  <li>Science or medical models<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Obviously, all of these will have different requirements and customer expectations. In most cases, you\u2019ll want to create a set of assets to sell \u2014 not just a single 3D model \u2014 so you\u2019ll want to plan your project accordingly.<\/p>\n\n<p>If you\u2019re new to 3D modeling, here are a couple of articles to help you get going:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.makeuseof.com\/how-to-start-3d-modeling-a-beginners-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>How to Start 3D Modeling: A Beginner\u2019s Guide<\/strong><\/a>: this short guide starts with the basics of 3D modeling and covers some basic tips on getting started.<\/li>\n  <li><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/the-100-day-project\/100-days-of-3d-4b28a514f3ac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>100 Days of 3D Design<\/strong><\/a>: this article is Tiantian Xu\u2019s story of learning 3D modeling as a 100-day project, talking about workflow, use of Blender, and more, with lots of detailed images. There are plenty of useful links throughout and it\u2019s a really inspiring read.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_Sell_Your_3D_Models\"><\/span>Where to Sell Your 3D Models<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>There are several websites and marketplaces where you can sell your 3D models, including:<\/p>\n\n<h3>1. Payhip<\/h3>\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/payhip.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Payhip<\/a> is an eCommerce platform where you can create an online store or website for free. Selling 3D models from your own website allows you to keep costs really low and to get more profit in your pocket. You&#8217;ll also be able to have more control over your shop aesthetics, marketing efforts, and more.<\/p>\n\n<h3>2. Turbosquid<\/h3>\n\n<p>Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Turbosquid is one of the largest marketplaces for 3D models, typically focusing on 3D models for computer games, architecture, and interactive training.<\/p>\n\n<h3>3. Sketchfab<\/h3>\n\n<p>Sketchfab is a popular platform for artists and designers to showcase and sell their 3D models and Augmented Reality (AR) assets.<\/p>\n\n<h3>4. CGTrader<\/h3>\n\n<p>CGTrader is an online marketplace for 3D content including AR\/VR, gaming, advertising, entertainment, and 3D printing. Besides offering solutions for 3D sellers and buyers, it is one of the largest platforms that provide access to licensable stock 3D models.<\/p>\n\n<h3>5. Renderosity<\/h3>\n\n<p>Renderosity is a community for CG artists to buy and sell not only 3D models, but also to share CG news and other 2D and 3D content including textures, backgrounds, and brushes.<\/p>\n\n<p>These are some of the most popular options for selling 3D models. We encourage you to sell on as many platforms as possible when you&#8217;re just starting out so you can increase your market reach and sales.<\/p>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Sell_Your_3D_Models\"><\/span>How to Sell Your 3D Models<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>To keep the biggest possible percentage of your profit, you want to sell your 3D models directly to customers \u2014 rather than selling through a third-party marketplace. Selling direct also gives you the opportunity to build a brand.<\/p>\n\n<p>Look at it this way: if a customer buys from a marketplace, they\u2019ll return to that marketplace to buy again, and they won\u2019t necessarily pick one of <i>your<\/i> products. If they buy directly from your website, that\u2019s where they\u2019ll come to get their next 3D model.<\/p>\n\n<p>There\u2019s nothing stopping you from selling on 3D modeling marketplaces, too \u2014 but make sure you focus on direct sales from your own website whenever you can. If you\u2019re worried about the technical side of sales, don\u2019t be. Using Payhip is really easy and straightforward. It doesn\u2019t cost anything upfront, as Payhip simply takes a small percentage of each sale.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"payhip-cta-alt\">\n  <div class=\"payhip-cta-left\">\n    <div class=\"badge\">Join over 130,000 thriving sellers<\/div>\n    <p class=\"heading\">Sell 3D Models with Payhip<\/p>\n    <p>No monthly fees. No tech headaches.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"payhip-cta-right\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/payhip.com\/auth\/register\" class=\"cta-btn\">\n      Get started \u2192\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s your step-by-step guide to selling your 3D models online:<\/p>\n\n<h3>Step 1. Export Your 3D Models in FBX or OBJ File Format<\/h3>\n\n<p>First, you\u2019ll need to <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.blender.org\/manual\/en\/latest\/files\/import_export.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">export your 3D models<\/a> from Blender, or whatever software you\u2019re using, in FBX or OBJ file format. These can be opened in a range of different programs. Once you\u2019ve exported your files, you\u2019ll need to zip them. This makes it easy and faster for you to upload them and for customers to download them.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Step 2. Create a New Product in Payhip and Upload Your Zip File<\/h3>\n\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Haven\u2019t got a Payhip account yet? It\u2019s free and quick to <a href=\"https:\/\/payhip.com\/auth\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">register here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p>Login to your Payhip account, click on the Products tab, then click the \u201cAdd new product\u201d button.<\/p>\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/staticblog.payhip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/10180415\/456.png\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staticblog.payhip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/10180415\/456.png\" alt=\"upload new product\" width=\"1173\" height=\"244\" \/>\n<\/a>\n\n<p>You\u2019ll then need to select \u201cDigital Product\u201d. After that, you\u2019ll see the screen where you can add your product details. Click the \u201cUpload product file\u201d button, then select the .zip file that contains your 3D models. You\u2019ll need to fill out a title plus other details for your 3D models.<\/p>\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/staticblog.payhip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/10180413\/345.png\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staticblog.payhip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/10180413\/345.png\" alt=\"Add digital product\" width=\"950\" height=\"513\" \/>\n<\/a>\n\n<h3>Step 3. Decide What to Charge for Your 3D Models<\/h3>\n\n<p>3D models can vary hugely in price. Smaller, simpler models might cost as little as $5, whereas complex medical or scientific models might cost hundreds of dollars. To figure out what to charge for your 3D models, look at similar items that are being sold by other people. Type your chosen price in the \u201cPrice\u201d box for your product.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Step 4. Upload At Least One Image of Your 3D Models<\/h3>\n\n<p>You can upload between 1 and 9 images into Payhip for your product. These appear on the product\u2019s sales page. Add as many images as you can: you want to really show off your 3D models. You\u2019ll want to add images from different angles if possible, or you could choose to embed a video from YouTube showing your product instead.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Step 5. Use Payhip\u2019s \u201cEmbed Button\u201d Feature to Sell Directly from Your Website<\/h3>\n\n<p>Payhip gives you an online storefront to showcase all your products, so you don\u2019t need to have your own website to make sales. However, many Payhip sellers do sell directly from their own site, and a great way to do this is to embed the Payhip \u201cBuy\u201d button. That way, customers won\u2019t need to leave your site in order to checkout.<\/p>\n\n<p>To get the code for the buy button, simply find your 3D model product in the \u201cProducts\u201d tab of your Payhip account. Then, click the \u201cShare \/ Embed\u201d button to the right of it.<\/p>\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/staticblog.payhip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/10180411\/234.png\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staticblog.payhip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/10180411\/234.png\" alt=\"Embed Product\" width=\"962\" height=\"101\" \/>\n<\/a>\n\n<p>You\u2019ll see a popup window. You just need to click the \u201cEmbed Button\u201d tab here. You\u2019ll have the option to choose a different color for your button and type in the button text, and you can set the button to work as a Direct Purchase or Add to Cart button. When you\u2019re ready, just click to get the embed code, and follow the instructions on how to add it to your website.<\/p>\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/staticblog.payhip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/10180409\/123.png\">\n  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staticblog.payhip.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/10180409\/123.png\" alt=\"Sell 3D model online\" width=\"590\" height=\"554\" \/>\n<\/a>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Develop_Your_Brand_Marketing_and_Promoting_Your_3D_Models\"><\/span>How to Develop Your Brand: Marketing and Promoting Your 3D Models<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p>Making your 3D models available to buy isn\u2019t the final step. You\u2019ll also need to market your 3D models if you want to get lots of customers. You might want to:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>Create a 360\u00b0 image showing the model from all angles. You could use this in a blog post or landing page on your website.<\/li>\n  <li>Create a video that shows your model. You can embed this on your product\u2019s page on Payhip, as well as use it on YouTube, social media, and more.<\/li>\n  <li>Offer a special <a href=\"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/offering-discounts-to-customers-how-creators-can-optimize-sales\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">discount coupon<\/a> or run a sale. It\u2019s easy to create coupons in Payhip under Marketing \u2192 Coupons.<\/li>\n  <li>Offer an <a href=\"https:\/\/help.payhip.com\/article\/95-affiliates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">affiliate program<\/a> that encourages other 3D artists and fans to promote your products. Whenever an affiliate makes a sale, they get a percentage of the money, and you determine that percentage ahead of time. To sign up affiliates, just give them the registration link that you\u2019ll find in Marketing \u2192 Affiliates in your Payhip account.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>It\u2019s free to get started with 3D modeling using Blender, so why not give it a try today? There are lots of tutorials that can help you get started. It\u2019s also free to <a href=\"https:\/\/payhip.com\/auth\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">set up a Payhip account<\/a>, and you could soon have your 3D models ready to sell.<\/p>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<h3>Can I make money selling 3D models?<\/h3>\n\n<p>Yes, you can. Selling 3D models could potentially provide you with a steady income stream, though it\u2019s important to know that it\u2019s quite a competitive industry. If you just want an outlet for your creative skills or a good excuse to experiment with Blender while making a bit of money, then selling 3D models could be the perfect side hustle.<\/p>\n\n<h3>What 3D models sell best?<\/h3>\n\n<p>Generally speaking, 3D models that sell well are automobile, scientific and sci-fi models, as well as generic models such as animals and household items. There are an endless number of niches that you can cater to as a 3D model creator. The most important aspect is to focus on a narrow niche of buyers that you would ideally like to sell to, depending on your own skill sets and design preferences.<\/p>\n\n<h3>What are 3D models?<\/h3>\n\n<p>3D models are pieces of artwork or design that are rendered in 3D. They&#8217;re not flat images but can instead be rotated and viewed in a complete circle. 3D models are used in many ways, including as video game assets, animations, designs for 3D printing, architecture environments, and science or medical models.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How can I sell 3D models?<\/h3>\n\n<p>There are several different marketplaces for 3D models, but if you want to keep the biggest possible percentage of your sales price, you&#8217;ll want to sell directly to customers. You can easily do that using Payhip, by creating a product for your 3D model files in FBX or OBJ format.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Is selling 3D models profitable?<\/h3>\n\n<p>Selling 3D models can be very profitable, as you&#8217;ll have extremely low startup costs and overheads. As with any business, though, it can take time to build up to a good number of regular sales. You&#8217;ll want to refine your skills, look at what&#8217;s selling well, and tailor your work to what your customer base wants.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How do I create 3D models?<\/h3>\n\n<p>You need specialist graphics software to create 3D models. Many people use Blender, which is free. This means you can try out creating 3D models to see if it&#8217;s something you&#8217;ll enjoy. The software Maya is the industry standard, but this costs \u00a3246\/month. Whatever software you use, you should expect a bit of a learning curve as you get to grips with 3D design.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How do I price my 3D models?<\/h3>\n\n<p>3D models can vary hugely in price. A small, simple 3D model might cost just $5. Complex medical or scientific models could cost hundreds of dollars. You&#8217;ll want to price your 3D model in a similar range to other similar models. You might decide to go a bit higher if yours is positioned as a premium product and you have the quality to match. Alternatively, you could build a budget 3D brand and price more cheaply than most of your competitors.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Where can I sell 3D models online?<\/h3>\n\n<p>There are a number of marketplaces for 3D models, including Turbosquid, Shapeways, and CGTrader. If you want to keep as much of your money as possible, however, it&#8217;s better to sell through your own online store or website. Payhip gives you a free online store, or you can seamlessly integrate the Payhip checkout system into your website.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Can I earn money with Blender?<\/h3>\n\n<p>Blender is a popular software tool for creating 3D models. You can also use it to create artwork for your own physical products, such as mugs, t-shirts, and more. Another option for making money with Blender is to create your own add-on, though you&#8217;ll need to know the Python coding language for this.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Can I make money selling 3D models?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes, you can. Selling 3D models could potentially provide you with a steady income stream, though it\u2019s important to know that it\u2019s quite a competitive industry. 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What are 3D Models \u2013 and Why Sell Them? 3D &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1177,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[351,3,102],"tags":[106,105],"class_list":["post-1167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to","category-main","category-tutorials","tag-how-to-sell-3d-models","tag-sell-3d-models"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1167"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5957,"href":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1167\/revisions\/5957"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/payhip.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}