Project 3D Imagination

About me

Howdy everyone,

My name is Colin, I am a 3D artist and I design and sell 3d printed ribbon pendants (and other things) and donate a large portion of the profits (currently a dollar per $4 ribbon) to the Canadian Cancer Society. I have been buying my 3d prints online and getting them shipped in from other countries. It's not as low cost as I would like it to be for a tiny ribbon and I have to buy large orders just to get the price down.

What I have done to help this

I recently purchased a 3D printer, out of my own pocket, well okay, on credit. The printer is capable of making dual colour prints, making it, in some ways, better than what was available to me online. But let me be honest, I can't afford it, my salary is on par with my bills. 3D printers are getting cheaper, but still aren't all that cheap to those of us who work fast food.

However, once paid for, this printer will lower the cost of the ribbons and ultimately lead to more donations as the cost per ribbon will be much reduced. A $2 ribbon is more inviting and less of a burden than a $4 one. More purchases means more awareness and donations too.

My goals for this fundraiser

My plan is to continue to create, improve and sell 3D ribbons for cancer awareness and then donate all of the profits to the Canadian Cancer Society. I feel that helping to find a cure for the multitudes of cancers that plague our loved ones and possibly even ourselves, is a very worthwhile cause. If not for ourselves, our children and their children. Something worth noting as well; when the cure is found and I'm still doing this, I will most likely find another cause to donate to.

How much are we talking?

I'll be upfront, the cost of the printer was $900. I still have to buy spools of filament to print different coloured ribbons. Much like printers need ink, filament is the plastic (ink) the 3D printer uses to make the ribbons. Each spool of filament is one colour, they run me approximately $40 a spool. The price of the ribbons will reflect the cost of the filament and will be covered in the ribbon price. For example, a $2 ribbon could be a $1 of plastic and $1 of donation.

Any donations over the cost of the 3D printer will be put towards obtaining more colours, as there are a multitude of ribbon colours for each type of cancer. Any spools that are paid for means simply more will be donated.

Donations over the cost of the printer could also, if something crazy happened, buy another printer, so I could double my possible output. As it does take 15 minutes to print a ribbon. More output means I could ask more places to help sell and get the word out. However, I don't expect that will happen.

Finally, how can you help?

Helping me fund the cost of the 3D printer means that I can continue to keep doing what I enjoy, and ultimately means together, we are helping others as well. Remember, when you think about it, you aren't really donating money for a 3D printer, you are essentially helping save lives by letting me continue to raise money for cancer research and awareness. Your $5 donation could translate to $20 of donations from ribbon sales.

If you have any questions or would like to purchase a ribbon, please contact me!