Etsy Seller Interview with Philipp of 123DPrintDE

How 123DPrintDE got started

Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?

Hi, I’m Philipp, an engineer by training and the founder of 123DPrintDE. I discovered 3D printing during my studies—the ability to create virtually anything from “nothing” fascinated me instantly. Learning CAD modeling as part of my coursework felt like the perfect bridge to my childhood dream of becoming an inventor. My Etsy shop went live in April 2025, and I’ve focused ever since on highly personalized products: whether it’s custom color combinations, special sizes, or company logos, I strive to fulfill nearly every customer request, offering over 30 different filament colors.

Favorite items

What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?

Here are three of my shop favorites:

This decorative wall piece captures your special place and turns it into a modern keepsake—perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or housewarmings.

A timeless yet modern sculpture that beautifully represents the bond between a mother and her children.

Similar to the first design, this piece delights customers with its clean lines and heartfelt sentiment.

Why these picks? The city map is ultra-versatile and customizable for any occasion, while the Mother’s Day pieces consistently earn glowing reviews and resonate emotionally—combining sleek design with a timeless theme.

Getting sales on Etsy

How long did it take for you to earn your first sale, and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?

My very first sale came just two days after launching—thanks to a laser focus on SEO from day one. I meticulously optimized titles, tags, and descriptions for relevant keywords. Currently, I rely solely on organic traffic, but I’m planning to branch out into Instagram, Pinterest, and possibly Etsy Ads to broaden my reach.

Managing 123DPrintDE

How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo, or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop, and how do you handle fulfillment?

I run every aspect of the business solo—from design and printing to bookkeeping. I use SevDesk for my accounting, and everything else I handle manually. My home print farm consists of three FDM printers (Bambu Lab P1S Combo & Elegoo Centauri Carbon) plus one resin printer (Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra), producing around 170 items per week. I fulfill 99% of orders the same or next business day. Each product is packed in eco-friendly materials and sturdy boxes, with a little treat of sweets and a handwritten thank-you note tucked inside.

The future of 123DPrintDE

What goals do you have for your shop in the future?

In a year, I aim to have a reliable, steadily increasing revenue stream, launch additional personalized product lines—like the upcoming range of timeless lamps—and expand my print farm with more FDM machines.

Advice for new sellers

What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?

My top tip? SEO is everything. If you don’t fully leverage Etsy’s keyword tools—titles, tags, descriptions—you won’t get found. Invest the time up front, and you’ll see the results.