Summer is a quiet season for a lot of hobbies, but it doesn’t have to be quiet for your STL sales. Conventions ramp back up, painters have more free time, and audiences are hungry for new content. Here’s how creators can make the most of it.
1. Show the process, not just the product
Behind-the-scenes content consistently outperforms polished final renders. Post sculpting timelapses, painting walkthroughs, or a quick video on how you prep supports for resin printing. This kind of content builds trust because it proves your work is original and it gives fans a reason to follow along model by model, not just buy once and disappear.
2. Run a summer-themed drop or bundle
Seasonal releases give you a natural marketing hook. A “beach invasion,” “jungle ruins,” or “summer monster hunt” bundle gives your audience something timely to rally around, and it gives you an easy excuse to post daily teasers leading up to launch. Bundles also tend to raise average order value, so you’re not just gaining attention, you’re gaining revenue per sale. Minarium has partnered with top creators several times this year on giveaways. If you’re interested in partnering with Minarium, please reach out! We’d love to hear from you!
3. Team up with a painter or influencer in your niche
Partnering with a painter, reviewer, or smaller creator in your corner of the hobby puts your models in front of an audience that already trusts that person’s taste. You don’t need a huge name. A creator with a small but engaged following often converts better than a big account with passive followers. Offer them early access to a model in exchange for a painted showcase or honest review.
4. Get active where your buyers already talk
Reddit communities like r/PrintedMinis and r/3Dprinting, along with Discord servers built around specific games or factions, are where a lot of purchase decisions actually get made. Reply to feedback quickly, share your process, and don’t just drop links. Show up as a person in the hobby first and a seller second.
5. Complete your Creator Profile on Minarium
If you’re selling through Minarium, your Creator Profile is one of your most underused marketing tools. It lets you speak directly to your audience without going through a third party’s algorithm or paywall. Use it to post updates on what you’re working on, share your summer release calendar, and point your social followers to one place where they can see your full catalog and follow along with new drops. Pairing that direct line to your audience with the tactics above, seasonal bundles, behind-the-scenes content, and smart collaborations, gives you a consistent way to turn attention into sales all summer long.
Marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. Pick two or three of these, commit to them for the next few weeks, and see what moves the needle for your audience. As always, we want to support creators every step of the way.
What types of marketing tactics do you find most effective during the summer months?