In the desktop 3D printing niche, there are known brands that started using a new way of promotion in order to drive sales of their products. At the moment, Hot Deals and Discount Coupons are the new drivers in marketing. Black Friday Deals, like discounts, slowly but steadily started appearing on all maker-rich events, like Halloween or Valentine’s Day, for example. We will list here some major offers that caught our eye.
Disclaimer: Such deals and coupons work similarly to affiliate links – we will receive a commission if a purchase happens. This partially covers our costs and supports talented writers and influencers in the niche. Learn more
This Guide Covers
- Disclaimer
- Other Deals
- Event Sale
- Black Friday Deals 2023
- How to Find Deals
- Crowdfunding Campaigns
- Conclusion
Other Deals
Events Sale
There are many creativity-rich events and holiday seasons that are very popular among the 3D printing community. Here is a list of some of them and equivalents in different countries: Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, etc. Apart from activities such as 3D printing competitions and giveaways, manufacturers often have a sale campaign with a dedicated page.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals 2023
We are keeping this page especially warm during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday seasons.
Some of the brands in the 3D niche have started ramping up their Black Friday deals. Stay tuned as we update this page frequently.
Not all manufacturers offer BFCM deals a week in advance. For example, if BambuLab announced their Black Friday deals on the 17th of November, then it is expected that BFCM deals from Prusa Research (creators of Prusa i3 MK4, Prusa Mini, Printables, PrusaSlicer, etc.) will be closer to the Black Friday date which is Friday 24th of November.
Up to $200 Off
AnkerMake Black Friday & Cyber Monday
Up to 55% Off
Winter Holiday Season Deals
How to Find Deals
Black Friday and Cyber Monday:
– Timing: Occurring in late November, these days are known for huge discounts across various categories.
– Strategy: Prepare a list of desired 3D printer models in advance and compare prices across multiple retailers.
– Alerts: Sign up for email alerts from tech and 3D printing websites for real-time deal notifications.
Prime Day and Holiday Sales:
– Amazon Prime Day: Exclusive to Amazon Prime members, this mid-year event offers substantial discounts.
– Valentine’s Day, Halloween Sales: Look for thematic promotions; some retailers offer tech and electronics deals during these holidays.
– Preparation: Mark your calendar and check for early deals or pre-sale announcements.
Manufacturer Websites:
– Direct Discounts: Manufacturers sometimes offer exclusive deals, bundles, or new product promotions not available elsewhere.
– Clearance Sales: End-of-life models or refurbished printers often go on sale on official websites.
– Newsletter Sign-Up: Many manufacturers send exclusive offers or early access to sales to their subscribers.
Online Marketplaces:
– Amazon, eBay, and AliExpress: Regularly feature discounts on various 3D printer models.
– Flash Sales: Look out for limited-time offers which often provide the best deals.
– Seller Ratings: Pay attention to seller ratings and reviews to ensure you’re buying from a reputable source.
Newsletters and Social Media:
– Newsletters: Subscribing to newsletters from 3D printing companies can grant you access to subscriber-only deals.
– Social Media Follows: Companies often announce flash sales, discount codes, or special offers on their social media platforms.
– Community Groups: Join 3D printing groups on platforms like Facebook or Reddit for tips on where to find the best deals shared by community members.
Additional Tips:
– Price Comparison Tools: Use online tools to compare prices across different platforms.
– Set Price Alerts: Tools like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon can notify you when a product drops to your desired price.
– Check for Bundles: Sometimes, buying a printer with filaments or accessories as a bundle can be more cost-effective.
– Read the Fine Print: Ensure you understand the warranty, return policy, and shipping costs before making a purchase.
How Does it Work
As a rule, such deals are short-time campaigns and become outdated at some point after publishing. We will keep this list updated. If the deal is past date, then it is most likely this offer is gone or replaced with a newer, different offer. Worth to try checking out anyway.
Marketing – Creating Urgency
Often awesome offers come back on the market in a matter of weeks. However, the recent issues with transportation, lockdowns, and chip shortages greatly affected the availability of certain products, and there were cases when a product was sold out and not available for months (Elegoo Mars 3) or an order fulfillment delay of 4-6 weeks was a normal occurrence (Prusa Printers).
Kickstarter Campaigns
Another way to get the best deal is to support crowdfunding campaigns and secure an Early Bird price. 3D printers are niche products and not quite plug and play at the moment as certain skills are required to operate the machines. Therefore, launching a new, technologically raw, product with an affordable consumer price tag is a tricky business. And we witnessed in the past how big companies used such platforms as a pre-order base. Some campaigns worked well for everyone, and others did not.
Disclaimer: Crowdfunding campaigns – before taking part in any campaign as a backer, please read T&Cs. Rewards aren’t guaranteed.
Conclusion
By utilizing these strategies, you can effectively navigate through various sales and promotional events to find the best deals on 3D printers. Remember, a good deal is not just about the lowest price but also about getting the best value for your investment. Happy Deal Hunting!