When I first discovered Cults3D, I had no idea it would become the launchpad for transforming my aquarium decorations into a steady source of income. Let’s explore my 6+ months journey, where I showcase without fluff how to make money with 3D printing by my example with Cults3D.
Who am I and how it all started
Hi, I’m Linas — the mind behind Aquireef3D, where passion for aquariums & terrariums meets the magic of 3D printing. It all started with a simple goal: to create better, more natural-looking hides for my own aquariums. I wasn’t satisfied with the bulky plastic caves out there, I wanted something functional, safe and beautiful — something that would blend into a real aquatic scape. That’s when I decided to merge my second passion with it — 3D printing. And honestly? It changed everything.
With 15+ years of experience in aquariums and fishkeeping, 7+ years in 3D design, and over 14 k. hours of 3D printing under my belt, I started to put all my knowledge and experience in every design and detail I craft. Just for fun, I posted some of the designs on my TikTokand shared them with my friends — many of them were amazed, what also amazed me. At that point I realized that these designs, once just personal solutions, could help others too.
So, what began as a few hobby prints, turned into a full-on design obsession. Sharing them online became a way to contribute to the broader maker community and, honestly, to validate the time, care and passion I poured into each piece. It wasn’t just about selling files — it was about sharing ideas, solving real needs, and connecting with fellow enthusiasts. That’s when I began searching for the right platform to publish my work.
Why Cults3D?
When I first started thinking about selling digital designs, I wanted more than just a storefront — I wanted a platform that understands makers. After some deeper research, Cults3D became the obvious choice. Here’s why it feels like home:
- Tailored for Makers: Cults isn’t just for 3D printing — it’s also for CNC machining, laser cutting, papercraft, sewing patterns and even electronics. It welcomes creators of all types — and that also means more community and audience for me.
- Intuitive and User Friendly UI: It’s been super easy and intuitive to navigate the UI from the first days I started to test this platform. At first, I lacked some sales stats and metrics — in the future I discovered the cultsinsights tool, which closed this question.
- Fair and Transparent: You earn 80% of every sale (excluding VAT), and there are no subscriptions, fixed fees or hidden costs. You only pay when you actually sell — and I think this is a great model, especially compared to the fees on other similar platforms.
- Massive Community: With over 12.2 million makers and 197,000 designers, Cults is a massive network of real users passionate about DIY, tech, and creativity — and what brings free and “warm” traffic to my store (source: official Cults release).
- Engaged Audience: Every day, 5,000+ new members join. With 7.3 million monthly visits, 200,000 daily visits, and 55.4 million page views monthly, visibility comes naturally (source: official cults release).
- Multilingual Reach: Cults is fully translated into 7 languages, helping your designs reach global markets — especially strong in Europe and the Americas.
- Built-In Social Network: Cults isn’t just a sales platform — it’s a place to connect. Every download is linked to a real user. You can follow, message and engage with your audience directly.
- Designs That Shine: The homepage is constantly refreshed, showcasing a wide variety of new designs and top collections. Your work has a real chance of being seen. Personally my works were featured on the mainpage and added to some galleries alongside similar designs.
- Resources and Growth: With tutorials, blog articles, contests and guides, Cults helps you grow your skills — and your audience.
- Deals and Extras: There’s even a coupon section where the community can get great deals on printers, filaments, scanners and tools. To be honest, I haven’t used it yet myself, but it’s still nice to have — just in case 😉
In case you’re wondering, yes — even the name is clever. “Cults” — read backwards, you’ll see .stl (the universal 3D file format) and also a nod to St. Luc, the patron saint of artists and sculptors.
This all adds up to a platform that not only helps me share and sell my designs — it lets me grow as a designer and connect with like-minded creators.
Platform Support from Cults3D
Personally for me, one of the TOP strengths of Cults3D is their incredible team. Behind the platform is a small group of genuinely warm, helpful and passionate people who clearly care about creators. Any time I’ve had a question or needed support — whether it was about listings, keywords, or technical settings — they were quick to reply, always kind and incredibly encouraging. You feel like you’re talking to real humans who want you to succeed.
Cults3D actively supports creators in several valuable ways:
- Homepage & Category Features: My Riptide Cave gained 3x more downloads after a feature it top designs.
- Responsive Staff: Quick to respond with helpful suggestions and support on the marketplace and it’s features.
- Analytics Access: CultInsights helped identify which keywords brought the most visibility.
- Real Community Feedback: I received printed photo feedback from makers who downloaded and printed my models — a rewarding part of the experience.
Timeline — My 6+ Months Journey on Cults3D
I launched my first design in November 2024. With no prior audience, I relied purely on platform visibility. Each month brought lessons and growth, there were “ups & downs”, but overall numbers look like this:
Monthly Performance
Key Events
- SEO Optimization: Titles, tags and descriptions refined with long-tail keywords to increase search visibility and drive qualified traffic.
- Description Refinement: Product descriptions rewritten to clearly communicate value, use cases and benefits — improving buyer trust and conversion rates. Descriptions guide decision-making and help listings feel more professional and buyer-ready.
- Picture Refinement: Listing images upgraded with eye-catching photos showing the key details of each design, texture, size and real-life application. Good visuals are critical for two factors: 1. Getting the “click” on your listing and providing the possibility of being bought; 2. Building confidence and triggering emotional buy-in — often also the final nudge toward purchase.
- Pricing Strategy: Started with €4.50 per file, gradually moved to €7–€10 depending on complexity.
Behind-the-Scenes Support: All of my technical optimizations and strategic improvements were done with the incredible help of my project partner and friend in real life — a traveling freelancer and consultant who specializes in e-commerce and real-world sales. With 13 years of experience in the field — including 7 years in complex B2B sales, 5 years in marketing and 4 years in B2C — he’s been instrumental in shaping the direction and success of the Aquireef3D shop and my brand strategy overall. If you’re looking for no-nonsense support with your own sales, marketing strategy or online shop growth, feel free to reach out to him per Email.
Top 3 Most Popular Designs
1. Atlantis Catacombs Cave STL
A unique, naturalistic cave system designed for both aquariums and terrariums. This best-seller features big openings, curved chambers and shadowy crevices that blend beautifully into any aquatic or desert habitat. With 100 downloads and €798 in revenue, it leads my shop in both popularity and engagement — and boasts a solid 2.11% conversion rate.
2. Riptide Cave STL
Inspired by natural wave-worn rock formations, this corner-shaped design became the first one that “banged” in my collection among fellow aquariumists and terrariumists. With 97 downloads, €655 revenue and 5,607 views, the Riptide has proven to be a long-term performer.
3. Mira Aquarium & Terrarium Cave STL
A dual-entry design perfect for fish, shrimp or small reptiles. Compact and easy to print, the Mira cave still manages to stand out visually thanks to its textured top and a big opening, designed to be placed against the glass and observe your pets resting. With 40 downloads and €259 in sales, it rounds out my top 3 with a solid presence.
Each of these models found success thanks to their naturalistic & organic design, attention to every detail, printability with PETG and strong alignment with what the hobby community actually needs: functional, aesthetic and safe structures for their pets and tank setups.
Top 3 NEW Designs to Explore
Terrarium & Aquarium Skull Hide – Pirate Cave
This dramatic, skull-shaped hide blends pirate vibes with naturalistic textures, creating an unforgettable focal point in any tank. Designed for reptiles, fish, shrimp or even insects and spiders, it offers multiple openings and shadowed resting spots — ideal for both visual impact and pet comfort. A bold new addition for adventurous scapers.
The Secrets of Pharaoh – Egypt Themed Reptile & Fish Cave
A mysterious underground cave inspired by ancient Egyptian tombs. Featuring a regal Sphinx at the observation opening and naturally shaped internal textures, this model offers both functional shelter and storytelling charm. A true hybrid of design and history for both terrariums and aquascapes.
The Sunken Colosseum – Aquarium & Terrarium Cave
A compact, corner-style cave with layered textures reminiscent of ancient ruins. Engineered for natural integration with sand or substrate, this grotto provides a secure, low-profile hide for aquatic or terrestrial pets while adding depth and dimension to your scape layout.
These models are the newest additions to my shop — pushing the boundaries of creative, printable decor. While stats are still fresh, they’ve already sparked strong visual interest and are quickly gaining traction among aquascaping and decor enthusiasts.
My Custom Design Services
Over time, I began receiving more and more requests for personalized modifications to my existing models — whether it was scaling, reshaping, or adapting them to a specific tank setup. Others asked if I could create something completely custom from scratch. That’s when I realized it was time to officially offer this as a service.
Today, anyone can request a custom design through a simple quote form here. Whether it’s a rework of an existing piece or an entirely new idea, I treat every project with care and attention to detail. This addition has not only boosted my revenue but allowed me to connect directly with makers who want something uniquely theirs — and help them bring their vision to life.
How It Works:
- You describe your idea – via message or a short form directly from my webpage → I provide the quote.
- I create a base sketch (with size, entrances, orientation) → You approve the base and pay (via Cults custom order).
- I add textures + a visual preview inside a tank scene.
- Final approval → I deliver your custom STL file.
Why do more and more people love it?
- Base Sketch: I provide it within 48h from request submission.
- Final STL File: I provide it within 72h after base approval.
- Payment is only required after the base design is reviewed and approved by the customer — so you always stay in control and feel comfortable.
Make Money with 3D Printing — Tips for Beginners on Cults3D
From my own experience, here are some key takeaways:
- 📁 First Month Focus: Publish 5–15 designs quickly. But go for quality over quantity — it’s better to have five strong, well-designed files than fifteen that feel rushed.
- 💸 Pricing: Start with a fair baseline (€4–€6), then raise gradually as designs gain popularity.
- 🔎 Tag Smartly: Use tags (search keywords) according to the best SEO practices — definitive, descriptive and mixing long-tail with general, broad keywords.
- 🎨 Visuals Matter: Use realistic renders and include photos of actual 3D-printed versions where possible. That’s one of the hardest parts, but this is also one of the most important parts that give you the possibility to sell. All the SEO stuff and your design uniqueness don’t matter if no one clicks on the listing in the first place.
- 📊 Learn from Performance: Test one variable per month (price, design type, promo). Track results. Don’t make 10 changes at once — you won’t be able to understand what worked and what’ — didn’t.
- ❤️ Engage: Follow back your downloaders, thank them and respond to shared photos.
CultsInsights: The Data Tool That Supports Your Cults Journey
One tool that’s made a massive impact on how I manage and grow my store is CultsInsights.com, created by fellow maker Francisco Antonelli. It’s more than just an analytics dashboard — it’s like having a behind-the-scenes control panel for your Cults3D shop.
Whether you’re trying to understand which designs perform best, monitor keyword rankings or see what your competitors are up to, this tool offers clear, actionable data. My partner — the driving force behind Aquireef3D’s sales and marketing strategy — uses CultsInsights every week to align our listings with the core goals: boost visibility and grow sales. We especially rely on features like sales tracking, keyword analysis and changes of the conversion rate of a listing over time.
If you’re serious about treating your Cults3D shop as more than a hobby, this tool will give you the edge.
What’s Next?
As demand grows, I’m planning to:
- Explore and offer more functional aquarium decorations — at the moment, the details I want to keep to myself, but I promise — it will be massive! Stay tuned with my newsletter and blog — don’t miss out.
- Expand into aquarium & terrarium caves offering themed designs.
- Offer more discount bundles and experiment with subscription-based licensing for physical product shops.
👉 Follow me on Cults3D Store, or check out my blog for behind-the-scenes updates, 3D printing ideas and tips.
👉 To stay in the loop on exclusive STL drops, insights and be a part of the community, subscribe to the newsletter.
🎤 I hope you liked this post and got a better understanding on how to sell digital products online. Have a question about Cults? Just drop it into the comments bellow — I’ll do my best to answer and support based on my experience. Thanks for reading — and happy printing!
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