By Evan Ferguson
Finding an Idea
On March 10, 2023
Read for 22 minutes
Day by day, more and more barriers are fading away for entrepreneurs.
Social media has given small businesses access to massive markets. Digital marketing tools have made things like finding a target audience and building a website easier than ever.
But until recently, there was one barrier that still stood; the high cost of producing goods in bulk.
No matter how you slice it, producing goods in bulk is expensive. Dropshipping sites and print-on-demand companies offer some custom options for brands, but what if you’re looking to produce your own products? The ones you’ve designed yourself.
Is there a low-cost option for mass-producing your custom goods?
With the emergence of affordable CNC machines, the answer is yes.
What is a CNC Machine?
A CNC machine is a computer-controlled cutting tool that acts as a table saw, router, and drill that carves complex shapes out of materials like wood, metal, plastic, and glass.
CNC stands for “Computer Numerical Control” – a fancy way to say that the machine operates using programmable automation, allowing builders to design complex parts that can be cut cleanly, quickly, and on a large scale.
CNC machines can be purchased on a budget. They don’t require a lot of space, and there are plenty of resources available online for those undertaking CNC projects, and everything can be done in a garage, basement, or bedroom.
With the increasing demand for unique products, CNC businesses have become highly profitable on online marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon, where customers place a high value on small commercial traders and local craft fairs.
If you’re looking to build your own CNC-based business, here’s what you need to know.
How to Make Money with CNC Projects: More Than 25 Easy Project Ideas
With the rising prevalence of compact, affordable CNC machines, interest in CNC-made goods has flourished on online marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, and even local craft fairs.
CNC machines can cut any shape from a variety of materials. There is a wide list of products you can create using a CNC machine.
What makes a great project?
Here are some ideas:
Home Décor Products
Home décor products make great first CNC projects. Buyers tend to place a higher value on uniqueness and individuality, giving small shops a competitive edge. Additionally, since home décor products are decorative, there’s a unique opportunity for repeat purchases from buyers who value aesthetic cohesion in their homes.
Here are some home décor products you might consider selling:
1. Bookends
Bookends serve to hold books in place on a shelf. They should be heavy and sturdy – other than that, there are no real limits to the shapes and designs that can be used.
Some are considered intricate pieces of art, while others are more abstract shapes meant to blend in with a wide range of décors. Bookends are perfect for artistic creators who appreciate a high degree of creative freedom.
2. Wall Art
Like bookends, wall art can offer lots of creative freedom. You can use a familiar template, such as the American flag, or something entirely new. It can be intricate or simple, complex or straightforward, and adaptable to all types of design.
Since wall art exists on a flat surface, design routing can be streamlined, making wall art a great idea for newcomers using CNC machines to produce goods.
3.
Shelves
You can sell individual shelves or more complex shelving systems, or even larger shelving units. Creative shelves may not inspire at first, but unique shelves that use unconventional designs can be very appealing.
4. Furniture
Furniture can be more complex when considering upholstery and assembly, but even simple furniture designs like wooden seats, end tables, desks, and accent chairs have become increasingly popular.
5. Picture Frames
Offer your customers a unique way to display photos of their most important moments with a distinctive collection of picture frames made using a CNC machine.
Picture frames can be built from almost any material, come in various shapes and sizes, and can be customized to fit any aesthetic, meaning there is a large potential customer base.
6. Candle Holders
Candles can be part of home decor in nearly every room, and nothing enhances the beauty of a flickering candle like a well-crafted candle holder. From elegant candelabras to glass jars, there are many candle holders you can create and sell using a CNC machine.
Taking Inspiration: Infinite Abyss
Infinite Abyss is a home decor brand created by artist Samantha Hartman, based in Wyoming. Hartman draws inspiration from nature to give her products a rustic yet modern touch that makes them a well-crafted brand.
Infinite Abyss has been featured in HGTV, Buzzfeed, and Etsy. Hartman is also the author of Wood Pallet Wonders, her DIY guide to building rustic home furniture from reclaimed wood.
Infinite Abyss is a great example of how to build a consistent and memorable collection of your CNC products. The products are harmonious without being repetitive; each one works as an individual piece and within the collections, regardless of the product combination.
Learn More: 12 Woodworking Projects You Can Sell Online
Kitchen and Barbecue Tools
The global cookware market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.9% from 2021 to 2028, which means there is a huge demand for kitchen and barbecue tools over the next decade.
Don’t be afraid of competing with big chain stores – much of the growth in the industry is attributed to millennials, who tend to value unique products from small shops.
Here are some kitchen and barbecue tools that can be made using a CNC machine:
8. Cutting Boards
Cutting boards (also known as chopping blocks) are used by chefs daily in kitchens worldwide. Due to their natural antimicrobial properties, wood has been the preferred material for cutting boards for centuries, but cutting boards can also be made from plastic.
Since their function is very straightforward, cutting boards are often personalized by chefs who love to add a personal touch to the tools they use, opening up many opportunities for customization.
9. Wooden Serving Utensils and Bowls
Wooden spoons, forks, and wooden salad bowls are common household items, and it’s easy to find CNC woodworking designs for them that can be tailored to your brand. Since buyers often want these items to match, you can even sell complete sets of utensils.
10. Cup Barriers
Cup barriers are great products to make and sell using a CNC machine. Buyers often look for unique items, giving new brands an edge. Additionally, cup barriers can be made from a wide range of materials, providing designers with a great deal of creative freedom.
11. Kitchen Wall Stickers
Chefs spend a lot of time in their kitchens, so it’s no surprise that they want to add a visual touch to their decor. Depending on your brand, your kitchen wall stickers can feature funny slogans, inspirational quotes, or just beautiful images.
12.
Wooden Serving Trays
Wooden serving trays are commonly used to transport food and drinks, but even when they are stationary, they can add a special touch to your dining room decor. This dual purpose makes them a fantastic gift idea for those who host guests regularly.
13. Bottle Openers Mounted on Wood
Wood-mounted bottle openers perform a very simple function, which means they provide a lot of potential designs. They come in various sizes. They can be sleek and functional, or more decorative and ornamental. Some stand alone, while others are mounted on walls.
Taking Inspiration: Avocrafts
Avocrafts is a San Diego-based seller of wooden kitchen goods and home decor products. They have many interesting pieces, but the standout for us is their handcrafted cup holders.
Made from cedar wood and epoxy resin, Avocraft’s cup holders are crafted in such a way that each piece is unique – materials are randomly placed during the cutting process. Stylistically, the holders harmonize perfectly, but the added level of uniqueness gives the product a one-of-a-kind feel that resonates with buyers who appreciate exclusivity. Avocrafts also utilizes customer testimonials as a source of inspiration, inviting buyers to share the unique patterns they have received.
Learn More: 10 Crafts That Can Be Commonly Sold and Manufactured
Office Supplies
With the increasing number of people working from home, the demand for home office supplies has risen. Office supplies are in demand year-round, and since items often need to be replaced, repeat purchases are common.
Here are some office supplies that can be made and sold using a CNC machine:
14. Pen Holders
Decorative pen holders can be a great way to showcase the personality of a home office. Pen holders have minimal design requirements, which means they offer plenty of stylistic possibilities.
15. Charging Stations
Even if you’re not working in an office, you’re likely to have plenty of devices that need charging. Charging stations are small structures designed to help organize all your charging cables and accessories in one easy-to-use location.
16. Craft Supply Boxes
Craft supply boxes are versatile when it comes to their use. They may be used by painters and sculptors to organize tools in their studios. Smaller boxes are typically used to store sewing supplies.
Sometimes, supply boxes are more decorative – not designed for any specific purpose, but simply to provide a stylish storage option for buyers. The type of boxes you build should depend on your audience and their fundamental needs.
17. Office Organizers
Office organizers are small boxes, usually placed on a desk or table, containing divided sections to store items such as notebooks, charging cables, writing utensils, and sometimes easy-to-lose items like keys and scattered change.
Custom Signs
Custom signs in your specialty are a great opportunity to offer a unique product to your customers that emphasizes the stylistic individuality of your brand.
Custom signs can be used for special events, to give directions on walking paths, or to add decorative labels to wonderful home gardens. They also make a beautiful piece for decorating a personal garden.
Here are some types of custom signs you can sell:
18. Name Signs
Name signs make great gifts. They are staple products in souvenir shops and one of the most commonly bought items. Using a CNC machine, you can create personalized name signs for bedrooms, offices, or anywhere clients wish to name their special places.
And it’s not just about people with names: signs can be crafted for dog houses, horse stables, or cat trees as fantastic gifts for animal lovers.
19.
Rustic Wooden Signs for Outdoors
Whether for the cabin, barn, or just your backyard, wooden signs can be a useful way to guide customers and add a rustic touch to any place.
20. Changeable Letter Signs
Why not give your customers the chance to create their own signs? Changeable letter signs can be a fun addition to any room in the home, where family members and roommates leave custom and fun messages for each other.
Taking Inspiration: Southern Accent Woodcrafting
Southern Accent Woodcrafting began with owner and operator Dan Perry purchasing two CNC machines, who decided to turn his passion for wood carving and wooden furniture making into a full-time carpentry business.
Southern Accent Woodcrafting sells custom signs for businesses, farms, horse stables, dog houses, and anywhere else that could benefit from the aesthetic of handmade signs.
Southern Accent Woodcrafting provides its customers with a user-friendly personalized shopping experience. The form is easily accessible and understandable, ensuring there are no barriers to providing custom products to buyers.
Toys and Games
There’s a huge variety of toys you can build and sell using a CNC machine. You can sell educational toys for young children that help enhance cognitive development. Or you might consider creating your own line of dolls or action figures.
Here are some toy ideas to consider:
21. Letter Blocks for Kids
Learning the basics of spelling and grammar is critical for young children, which is probably why letter blocks are a popular and beloved children’s toy.
And wooden blocks are not just helpful for learning the alphabet. You can also place numbers, raised letters, shapes, or even animals on the blocks.
22. Board Games
Popular board games like chess, checkers, cribbage, and backgammon are all in the public domain, meaning anyone can build and sell pieces for them. The boards for popular games like these are often decorative, giving you a chance to add your unique artistic touch.
And since the CNC machine allows you to produce game parts in bulk, why not design your own game? Building a fanbase around your unique game may take some time, but it can be incredibly rewarding.
23. Dolls and Doll Accessories
Dolls are timeless toys for children, but they can also be a popular hobby for adults. Small dollhouse kits (also known as “miniatures”) have strong online communities where you can find many potential customers.
Additionally, if you have already created CNC designs for furniture and home décor products, you can repurpose them. Just remember to scale them down significantly.
24. Puzzles
Puzzles have seen a significant resurgence in popularity since the beginning of the pandemic, and they are still very much in demand. CNC machines are perfect for carving your own puzzles or custom puzzle designs. You can take a couple of approaches here. You can carve a flat design into the pieces or even create your own 3D puzzles.
Taking Inspiration: Michaud Toys
Michaud Toys is a family business rooted in the traditions of woodworking and fine crafts passed down through four generations. Michaud specializes in traditional wooden game boards, creating pieces intended to be shared among family.
Michaud’s products include classic games such as chess and checkers, as well as baseball and horse racing editions.
Michaud’s products are of course great for games, but they also serve as stunning home decor pieces. The intricate details on each piece add a classic touch and a local feel reminiscent of game halls at the turn of the century.
Other CNC Products for Sale
We’re not done yet! Some CNC ideas may be hard to categorize, but they make fantastic products nonetheless. Here are some other products that are ideal for sale and manufacture using a CNC machine:
25.
Jewelry
Buyers are looking for
Source: https://www.shopify.com/ca/blog/cnc-projects-that-sell
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