There’s something magical about turning a digital design into a real-world object with the push of a button. From my very first DaVinci printer to my recent exploration of advanced machines, 3D printing has always captivated me. Lately, I’ve been eyeing the Bambu Lab X1, a high-speed, feature-rich 3D printer that promises to do just about everything I need—if only there were an easy way to earn commissions by promoting it!
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through my experience with a few 3D printers, share why I’m so intrigued by the X1, and discuss how I plan to monetize my blog given the challenges of affiliate programs for this particular product.
A Look Back at My Printers So Far
- The Original DaVinci Printer
My journey began with the first DaVinci printer on the market. Back then, I spent hours tinkering with setup, clearing filament clogs, and learning the ins and outs of slicer settings. Despite its limitations, it opened my eyes to the possibilities of 3D printing. - Upgrading to a Tronxy Kit
Next, I jumped into a Tronxy kit. It was the first machine I actually assembled out of the box—four hours of belts, pulleys, and frustration. But in the end, I learned so much more about how a printer works. The improved print quality (once I dialed it in) made it worth the effort. - Creality CR-10s for Bigger Builds
My third printer was the Creality CR-10s. With a larger build volume, I could tackle bigger projects without slicing them into multiple parts. It’s also more user-friendly than a kit build, saving me loads of setup time. This printer really solidified my passion for 3D printing.
The Bambu Lab X1: Why It’s on My Wishlist
After checking out various 3D printers at Micro Center, I stumbled upon the Bambu Lab X1. Here’s what grabbed my attention:
- High-Speed, High-Quality Prints
The X1 uses a CoreXY motion system, giving it the power to print much faster than many consumer-level printers. Picture getting what used to be an all-day print done in just a few hours. - Automatic Calibration & Leveling
No more fiddling endlessly with leveling knobs. The Bambu Lab X1 offers advanced sensors for bed leveling and extruder calibration, which is a game-changer for reliability. - Multi-Material Printing
With the optional Automatic Material System (AMS), I can seamlessly switch between multiple filaments—perfect for multi-color prints or specialized materials. - Enclosed Build Chamber
This helps stabilize temperature for trickier materials like ABS or Nylon, and keeps curious pets (or kids) away from hot components. - Overall Versatility
From standard PLA to carbon-fiber-reinforced filaments, the X1’s hardware can handle it. If I can only have one “do-it-all” 3D printer in the near future, this would be it.
The Affiliate Conundrum: Bambu Lab X1 Isn’t on Amazon
I was all set to link to this fantastic printer in my blog through Amazon Associates—only to find it’s not on Amazon. After some digging, I discovered:
- Micro Center has the best in-store price but no affiliate program.
- Newegg carries it online, but the price is often higher than Micro Center’s. They do have an affiliate program, but I’m hesitant to recommend such a big markup.
For many tech or 3D printing bloggers, Amazon is the go-to for commissions. Without that option, I had to get creative.
My Monetization Strategy Going Forward
- Google AdSense
Since direct affiliate commissions on the X1 are tough to come by, I’m adding AdSense to my site. The script goes into the header (easy to do with Elementor Pro). This way, I can still earn from page views and clicks. While there’s no guarantee AdSense will serve Bambu Lab ads specifically, it might serve up related 3D printing or tech ads—especially if my content is rich in 3D printing keywords. - Compare and Contrast Posts
I plan to write comparison articles where the Bambu Lab X1 is the star but also include affiliate-linked alternatives (e.g., Creality printers, Anycubic). If someone decides the X1 is out of their price range, they might go for one of the alternatives instead—and that’s where I can still earn commissions. - Accessories and Filament
Even if people buy the Bambu Lab X1 from Micro Center, they’ll need filament, bed adhesives, nozzles, cleaning tools—most of which are on Amazon or other affiliate-friendly sites. A single printer often leads to repeat purchases of consumables, which can be a steady revenue stream. - Direct Sponsorships
In the future, I may reach out to Bambu Lab or specialty 3D-printing retailers directly. Sometimes, smaller companies arrange informal referral deals or offer sponsored content for bloggers with a dedicated niche following.
Final Thoughts
I’m excited to share my 3D printing journey with you, from that first DaVinci printer to the Tronxy kit, to the Creality CR-10s—and hopefully soon, the Bambu Lab X1. While it’s not as straightforward to monetize a blog post about this printer through traditional affiliate methods, there are still plenty of ways to earn. Display ads from AdSense, alternative affiliate links for accessories, and potential sponsorships can all help keep this passion project sustainable.
Have you tried the Bambu Lab X1 or any other 3D printer? Drop a comment below and let’s compare notes—because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the 3D printing community is all about collaboration and shared experiences!