Equipment & workspaceWhat we would buy, and where we would work
A four-printer setup in a small Metro Vancouver workshop. The equipment is proposed, and the properties below are research examples rather than an address we have leased.
Our proposed printer: Bambu Lab P1S
We would start with four of the same model so we can use consistent settings and keep common spare parts. Four machines let us run separate orders at the same time and keep some flexibility during maintenance.
The P1S is an enclosed filament printer. Its specified maximum build volume is 256 × 256 × 256 mm — roughly a 25.6 cm cube. Shape, orientation and clearances can reduce usable space.
It comes with a 0.4 mm nozzle and uses 1.75 mm filament. PLA and PETG are our starting materials. The enclosure is useful, but does not replace workspace ventilation.
Canadian product page ↗ · Manufacturer guide & specifications ↗
Printer budget
4 × $1,200 allowance = $4,800 CAD.
This is a spending cap per printer, including room for tax and shipping, rather than a claimed current store price. Obtain a Canadian quote for the printer-only configuration before buying.
We would start with one colour per print. An AMS, Bambu’s automatic material-switching accessory, is optional and is not included in this plan. Multiple colours can add print time and waste.
Jeremy would manage setup, maintenance, job preparation and technical troubleshooting. Elijah would prepare and revise the models.
The rest of the setup
Amounts below are CAD budget allowances, not supplier quotations. They fit within the startup budget on the business-plan page.
The dryer ($250), tools ($250) and furniture/storage ($700) total the existing $1,200 tools/racks/inspection budget. They are not added twice.
Software
FreeCAD for measured mechanical parts; Blender for sculpted figures; and Bambu Studio to prepare printer instructions. These are proposed tools; Elijah and Jeremy would test the workflow before launch.
FreeCAD ↗ · Blender ↗ · Bambu Studio ↗
What we are leaving for later
No resin printer, 3D scanner or automatic multicolour system at launch. Detailed resin jobs can be outsourced. A photograph still needs modelling; a scanner is not required for every design.
We would buy more equipment when paid jobs show that it would be used often enough to cover the cost.
Where could the printing office be?
We would look for roughly 750–1,100 sq. ft. in Burnaby or New Westminster, combining printers, a small design desk, storage and packing. A standard coworking desk is not enough: the landlord must allow production equipment and any ventilation changes.
The examples below were reviewed on November 8, 2026. Prices and availability can change. No landlord has been contacted and no property is reserved.
Burnaby · benchmark for our rent budget101 – 4023 McConnell Court
1,041 sq. ft. · about $2,819/month before tax and utilities.
The direct listing gives $24 base rent plus $8.50 additional rent per sq. ft. per year. Calculation: 1,041 × $32.50 ÷ 12 = $2,819.38/month. Listed availability is December 1, 2026.
We would ask which portion of the advertised space is usable production space, whether printing is permitted, and whether extraction can be installed. Building-wide features do not guarantee the exact unit suits our setup.
Direct broker listing on Spacelist ↗New Westminster · compact warehouse option130 – 131 11th Street
784 sq. ft. · advertised at $2,800/month.
The listing describes a warehouse layout with a loft and identifies the lease as full-service gross. Ask exactly which operating costs and utilities are included, and confirm any extra charges.
This size is closer to our initial needs. Production use, electrical supply and permission for ventilation still need approval.
Direct broker listing on Spacelist ↗South Burnaby · lower base rent, more uncertaintyUnit B – 3889 Keith Street
847 sq. ft. · about $1,447/month base rent only.
847 × $20.50 per sq. ft./year ÷ 12 = $1,446.96. Additional rent is not stated in the reviewed listing. This is second-floor office-style space with no loading doors.
It might be unsuitable for a print workshop. We would only consider it after confirming production use, access, total charges and extraction permission. Its base rent is not a complete occupancy budget.
Cushman & Wakefield listing on Spacelist ↗ Our workspace budget
$2,900/month rent allowance, based on the two approximately $2,800 workshop listings, with utilities and insurance budgeted separately. The extra amount is a small rounding allowance, not a confirmed all-inclusive offer.
$5,800 deposit/setup allowance, equal to two months of planned rent. Actual commercial lease deposits and prepayments depend on the agreement and could require more cash.
Our startup funding requirement is $26,800 and monthly fixed cash costs to $6,650, including a $250 loan-payment allowance. At $36 contribution per average order, we need 185 orders/month to cover those costs.
See the budget and scenarios →How we would use the space
Printer areaFour enclosed printers on stable benches
Design deskComputer, client files and job scheduling
Dry storageFilament, spare parts and approved samples
Inspection & packingMeasurements, finishing and outgoing orders
Conceptual zones, not a measured drawing or a claim that a listing already has this layout. Final layout follows the unit, services and ventilation design.
Sara would handle the lease comparison, bookkeeping and operating costs. Jeremy would check electrical and printer requirements; Elijah would set up design and inspection needs; Cassie would coordinate customer communication and appointment pickup.
Before signing, we would confirm permitted use with the landlord and municipality, obtain ventilation/electrical quotes, check insurance requirements and review the full lease cost. The $2,500 installation allowance may need revision after a contractor visits.
Our reference photo
This is the setup that inspired the business idea. It shows a much larger print farm than we need to start.
Our plan uses four printers and a small workshop. It keeps the same basic idea — several machines, stored filament and a shared finishing area — at a smaller scale.