Tips & Insights

From Inactive to In-Demand Let’s read a story of a 3D print seller who once loved creating miniatures that gamers and collectors adored. But life got busy and for six months, his CGTrader shop stayed quiet, with no uploads or new models. Then November approached. The familiar buzz of Black Friday returned and he sensed an opportunity – the perfect time to dust off his digital shelves, upload new creations and reconnect with the community....

TL;DR Find your niche – specialize in designs that stand out and match real demand. Invest in quality – polished, printable models win customers. Optimize your listings – clear titles, precise descriptions, and strong visuals help your models get noticed. Price strategically – balance affordability with fair value for your time and skills. Promote and adapt – market your work, listen to feedback and keep refining your craft. Selling 3D print models is one of...

AI image tools are evolving at an incredible pace and one of the most talked-about today is Google’s Nano Banana (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image). The name might sound playful, but behind it is a serious step forward in lightweight, fast image generation. While Nano Banana is primarily designed for 2D image creation and editing, it offers a surprising range of workflows that 3D artists can actually benefit from. It’s not a replacement for 3D software...

TL;DR: Rings & Pendants: Most popular and frequently uploaded, but highly competitive. Bracelets & Necklaces: Best revenue per design. Necklaces: Strong pricing, good sales, low competition — a promising niche. Cufflinks & Brooches: Small audiences, minimal competition, and better-than-expected conversion — worth exploring for niche strategies. Earrings: Lowest revenue per design. Jewelry remains one of the most active 3D print categories on CGTrader. In this article, we review its performance over the past 12 months,...

TL;DR: Dataset: CGTrader 3D print sales, June 2024-May 2025 Highest demand: Art & Collectibles, Miniatures & Gaming, Fashion & Jewelry, Fantasy & Sci-fi, Cosplay & Props Fastest growth: Science & Tech, Military & Vehicles, Home & Interior Emerging opportunities: Romance & Events, Cute & Whimsical - low competition, steady demand Sales spikes: March-May, November-January Tip: All categories are growing - focus on what you enjoy the most. It’s easier to reach the quality buyers want...

Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting your journey on CGTrader, boosting your sales and visibility can feel like unlocking a world of new opportunities. Recently, CGTrader expanded its visibility tools, making now the perfect time to dive deeper into each feature and program. By leveraging these tools effectively, you can earn more revenue, reach higher royalty rates, attract more buyers, and even command higher prices for your models thanks to improved listing and...

TL;DR: We analyzed 3D model orders from game developers and game studios to discover the current aesthetic trends. Urban, city, and general-purpose assets remain consistently popular. Fantasy, vintage, stylized, post-apocalyptic, and futuristic environments are gradually gaining traction. Nature and environmental assets are experiencing significant growth. Military-themed assets are seeing less traction. Designers should aim for modular, reusable, and quality packs. May consistently records the highest sales in game assets, making it the ideal month for...

TL;DR: To improve your 3D model sales and gain more customers, optimize your listings to appeal to buyers and search engines. Our data analysis shows highlighting these areas: Clear, concise descriptions: Buyers value clarity. 15-25 quality images: This is the optimal range for engagement and conversion. SEO-optimal tags and titles: Get your model noticed in search results. Updating old listings: The selling potential of a model increases with longer availability. By using these strategies, you...

Understanding 3D file formats is essential for professionals and hobbyists working in 3D modeling, game development, animation, engineering, AR/VR, and design. The format you choose can affect everything - from compatibility with software, to workflow speed, rendering quality, and how files behave in engines or printers. But how do you know what type of 3D file format is right for you? It depends on your specific use case, the tools you work with, and the...

Efficient UV mapping is a cornerstone of high-quality 3D modeling, impacting everything from texturing to real-time rendering. CGTrader’s UV requirements are designed to ensure models are versatile, visually appealing, and technically robust. Let's explore these requirements and their significance in creating standout 3D assets. Key Aspects of CGTrader's UV Requirements 1. Efficient Use of UV Space Models must utilize UV space effectively to maximize texture resolution. This means minimizing wasted space while ensuring each part...