Today we’d like to introduce you to Zev Melmed.
Hi Zev, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got started with 3d printing in 2013 or 14 at school. We got a 3d printer in the science lab, but no one could really explain to me how it worked or how to use it. So, I turned to YouTube, which has been my main source of education for many years. I fell in love with being able to create literally anything I could imagine.
Eventually, I bought my first printer. It was a kit. I built it, and it blew out the power to the house. I returned it and bought a reassembled one.
Towards the end of high school, I got a much better printer. I joined online communities where we all taught and learned from each other. My favorite thing to make was helmets- or anything from fandoms I love.
It wasn’t until March of 2020 that I sold my first prop. I just finished making a Din Djarin Mandalorian helmet and was really proud of it, so I shared pictures in a Star Wars Facebook group. And someone messaged me asking me if I was willing to sell it.
That’s when I realized people not only like what I make and how I make it but are willing to pay for it. After opening an Etsy store and slowly growing from this, I eventually decided to take a leave of absence from college for a few years. I spent that time investing in my setup and equipment and learning new skills.
Additionally, I started consulting. I talk to medical offices and schools to help them integrate 3D printing into their workflow. I offer services such as training and maintenance. Recently, I have started to create my own website where my new shop, portfolio, and all my services will be listed.
Still growing my business, I decided to go back to school, where I am concurrently running my shop and pursuing a degree in Studio Arts with a minor in theater.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a bumpy road. My shop did not start to take off until the show Loki came out. All of a sudden, I was getting a ton of orders every week. After months of sporadic orders, I was now unable to print fast enough- leading me to invest in another printer. A tough thing about selling props is that demand is inconsistent. I have one or two best sellers that are ordered often, but usually, sales depend on what’s popular at the moment. If nothing new is grabbing people’s attention, then sales slow down.
Recently, Etsy closed down my store. This was a huge setback, but it led me to create my own website and focus more on consulting and private clients. Aside from the mentally demoralizing nature of losing what I built over the last few years, I still had to figure out a way to move forward. Directing traffic to one’s own site is much more difficult than on a platform like Etsy, but I am confident I will be able to rebuild.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in 3D Printing. My passion is creating. I love fantasy and science fiction, so naturally, that is what I was drawn to making. I love making anything that represents something I love, whether it’s a prop, costume accessory, or statue.
I’ve made some amazing props I am really proud of, but what I am most proud of is how I learned to learn. Skills like this aren’t really taught in school, and I had to figure out how to learn this information. Most importantly, I leaned that there is always more to learn- always others to teach you more skills.
I think I’m well known for recreating some robots from the TV show “The OA.” I love the show, and once I saw the robots, I knew I had to have them. I looked around, and it turns out they aren’t sold anywhere. It’s not manufactured and sold, nor was it designed by someone else for printing. So, I decided to design it myself. The OA has a niche, dedicated community. The whole fan base loved what I made, and because I was the only one to sell any form of the robots, I became known in the community for my work.
There are a few things that set me apart. First and foremost, I am autistic. I have a unique way of thinking and problem-solving. In terms of technicality, I do a lot of “post-processing.” This means turning something that *looks* like 3d printed plastic into what it actually is supposed to be. This involves a combination of filler compounds and a ludicrous amount of sanding. Then comes painting and electronics if needed. My goal is to work in movie production, so I strive to make production-level quality in all things I make.
Contact Info:
- Website: z3dprints.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/z3d.prints
Image Credits
Eliana Melmed
