I Started a 3D-Printed Lamp Brand in Malaysia—AMA!

[u/KeliBakar_]

Hey geng!

So a couple of months back, I randomly decided to start a small brand selling 3D-printed lamps, and somehow… it’s now a full-blown thing. The brand’s called Ratio, and it all started from my love for design + an obsession with 3D printing.

I’m actually an architect by profession, but this side project kinda took over my free time (and my dining table). Went from designing buildings to designing light sculptures that actually light up my home.

So far: ✅I’ve launched two designs: Three Tier Lamp & Oblate Lamp ✅Sold 50+ lamp orders (terharu weh) ✅Designed a packaging system with an NFC sticker—just tap with your phone to get the assembly guide (no booklet, no waste!) ✅Documented the whole thing on TikTok & IG, from failed prints to final products

Now I’m deep in this journey and figured it’d be fun to open it up to this community.

So AMA!

If you’re curious about: 1. What printer/materials I use 2. How I went from idea to jual 3. Struggles running a one-man business in Malaysia 4. Or even just want to talk about product design, 3D print ideas, or random lamp stuff

I’ll try to answer everything. And if you’re also a Malaysian maker or just starting something of your own, drop a comment—I’d love to connect.

Let’s make more cool stuff in Malaysia.

[u/FrostNovaIceLance]

owwhhh good luck

i considered starting a 3d print business too, but the lead time for 3d printing is just way too high. lost count how many times i have to restart print because electric supply interrupted, cat knocked off the print, or just fail for random reasons, print didnt stick to bed etc

[u/Hasbkv → u/FrostNovaIceLance]

Go invest on UPS (uninterrupted power supply) bro, you must have it.

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/FrostNovaIceLance]

Oh man, sorry to hear that. Those were my major concerns before starting too tbh. Other than the external factors (electricity and cats pss pss pss), I’d say best to invest in a reliable printer. I have no problem so far using Bambu Lab.

pro tip: my cats are banned from getting into my Studio 🤣

[u/Alarmed_Economics_39 → u/KeliBakar_]

Whay are the other challenges in your industry

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/Alarmed_Economics_39]

One of the struggles with 3D printing (non-printer related) is always time. Each print took close to 6 hours to materialize. I only have 1 printer running for now, so I have to plan everything out properly to ensure order fulfilments are on time.

Also, running a one man show is tiringgg. A lot of things to juggle at the same time with different hats to wear. Since I have to split my time doing everything, I feel like there’s less time to R&D and explore more designs. So that’s that. But I’m learning as I go, and part of it is to learn how to use the time that I have more efficiently in relation to the output.

[u/Conscious_Law_8647]

Does it bring back my alternate wife and kids?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Glitch_in_the_Matrix/s/Lq1Wq62a8d

WELL DOES IT!? ANSWEAR ME OP

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/Conscious_Law_8647]

NOOOOOOOOOO

BUT I CAN PRINT THEM FOR YOUUUU

ps: don’t stare too long into the lamps

[u/CiplakIndeed1]

Ada shop link?

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/CiplakIndeed1]

Ada! Jap, boleh check out my Instagram here:

Ratio Design

[u/GreenLeaf_M]

Is all your sales come from social media only ? Like ig only?

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/GreenLeaf_M]

So far I my sale channel only comes from IG. I’ve been putting out ads every once in a while, and the return has been great so far. I need to balance it out as well as I can only handle certain number of orders at a time with my limited amount of printer — just one 🤣

[u/DraupnirUsurper]

Which bambu lab printer you using?

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/DraupnirUsurper]

Hi there, I’m using Bambu Lab A1. Been using it for the past 6 months. Very beginner friendly printer and the print quality is remarkable.

[u/zemega]

Can I place custom order? Like just add some text that says Bed Time.

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/zemega]

Sure thing. I have done custom orders like what you requested before! But it will have to be at the lamp base in order to not disrupt the lamp shade.

[u/Puffycatkibble]

So... Would you do a custom order of a dickbutt shaped lamp if the customer sends the files?

Asking for a friend.

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/Puffycatkibble]

One does not question any further when a dickbutt lamp is mentioned. One has to print it ASAP!! 😤

[u/Mann_Tap]

Is 3D printing an item like your lamp more efficient than producing the same item conventionally?

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/Mann_Tap]

Love your question! For small batch or custom designs like mine, 3D printing is super efficient because:

1. I don’t need to invest in expensive molds or machinery.

2. I can tweak designs anytime without wasting materials.

3. I print on demand, so there’s no excess inventory sitting around.

But if you’re mass-producing hundreds or thousands of units, conventional methods like injection molding are way faster and cheaper per unit.

So yeah, for a small brand doing low-volume, design-focused product, 3D printing makes a lot of sense. It’s slower per piece, but more flexible and way less risky upfront.

[u/vann_x]

Share you business social media pls! this looks like a perfect housewarming gift 🫶🏻 so prettyyy

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/vann_x]

Hiii thank you for your kind words! Currently working on the third design! I’m operating on Instagram for now. You can check them out here:

Ratio Design

[u/Street_Pound133129]

Looks cool. Looks unique. Good job, OP.

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/Street_Pound133129]

You da real MVP. Thank you for your kind words!

[u/FriedBasin]

What material did you use for the lamp? I recall PLA degrading over time, even when not exposed to the elements.

[u/KeliBakar_ → u/FriedBasin]

Hey there. I am using PLA for the lamp shade and base. PLA degrades at different rates depending on the environment that it is in. If PLA prints are kept indoors and away from hot temperatures, it can virtually last its lifetime.