Fox & Prepare’s 3D printing enterprise broke even simply 5 months after its launch
3D printing has steadily gained traction in Singapore over the previous decade.
From speedy prototyping in tech startups to inventive purposes in design, training, and even residence decor, the know-how has moved past industrial labs into the arms of hobbyists and small companies.
This consists of Fox & Train, a 3D printing and design enterprise in Singapore based by husband-and-wife duo Caleb and Clarissa Ellis. Born out of Caleb’s ardour for 3D printing, the enterprise affords a variety of reasonably priced, customisable 3D-printed merchandise.
We spoke with the duo to learn the way they went from experimenting with a interest to working a rising enterprise.
Beginning up Fox & Prepare
Caleb, 22, was born in Kansas, USA. He spent a lot of his childhood in international locations like Uganda and South Sudan as his dad and mom had been missionaries.
His curiosity in know-how started at a younger age, as he discovered from his father, a pc repairman, how you can disassemble, troubleshoot, and rebuild computer systems. He refined these abilities when he began college in 2021, constructing and repairing PCs for mates.
That very same 12 months, Caleb additionally began experimenting with 3D printing, utilizing his college’s free printing service to carry his concepts to life. He taught himself Fusion360, a 3D modelling program, and shortly developed the abilities to show his ideas into tangible designs.
In 2022, Caleb related with Clarissa, who was an HR specialist in Singapore, through a mutual buddy when the latter wanted assist selling an internet convention. They naturally clicked and their relationship blossomed right into a platonic and, ultimately, a romantic one. They received married in Singapore final 12 months, and Caleb settled down together with his spouse right here.
All through these years, Caleb continued refining his 3D printing methods. With assist from Clarissa, the couple formally launched Fox & Prepare in Oct 2024.
Initially, Fox & Prepare provided a variety of 3D printed merchandise—from clocks and housebirds to seasonal decorations and pen holders—however the duo shortly realised that the assortment was overwhelming and lacked a cohesive model id. Many early merchandise didn’t promote, and the platform’s restricted customisation made each operations and buyer expertise cumbersome.
Studying from this, Clarissa and Caleb relaunched their web site and social media channels in Sept 2025 with a transparent concentrate on three key collections: Japanese-inspired designs, Batik-themed merchandise, and a curated vary of vases.
The couple claimed that the Japanese- and Batik-inspired items are authentic designs that draw from Clarissa’s Peranakan heritage and Caleb’s fascination with Japanese motifs, that includes objects that vary from sticky notice holders to tabletop organisers. Alternatively, the vase assortment showcases designs by fellow 3D print creators equivalent to SabreDesign, from whom the couple bought business licences.
Each print takes seven to eight iterations, with their filament suppliers rigorously chosen to match the pastel color theme of their model. Frequent 3D printing points like clogs or “spaghetti” (stringy) prints require further post-print care, equivalent to sanding tough edges, to satisfy requirements. As such, every merchandise takes two to 3 days to finish.
Banking on affordability and customisation
Nevertheless, 3D printed merchandise aren’t new in Singapore. Many companies already provide related objects, and makerspaces, neighborhood workshops, and on-line marketplaces like Carousell have made it simpler than ever for anybody to experiment with 3D printing.
With this rising accessibility, small companies face the continued problem of standing out available in the market whereas balancing high quality, pricing, and creativity.
To distinguish themselves, Fox & Prepare is banking on affordability—and customisation.
Many of the merchandise on their web site are priced between S$8 and S$30, which the couple claims are extra accessible in comparison with typical 3D-printed objects.
Past ready-made merchandise, the couple additionally affords customized print jobs, which presently type the spine of their enterprise. Their 3D printing companies begin from as little as S$0.05 per gram for PLA (Polylactic Acid), a biodegradable filament fashionable in 3D printing. The service comes with no setup charges, hourly expenses, or hidden prices, making it simple and reasonably priced for purchasers.
Conversely, the couple shared that others usually cost S$0.10 per gram or extra, and prices can simply snowball as weight and time have an effect on the value of a printed product.
We’re certainly one of, if not essentially the most reasonably priced, 3D printing companies on the market. Individuals come to us for each high quality and design.
Caleb Ellis
To maintain prices low, the couple makes use of eco-friendly packaging like honeycomb paper, specializing in “honest pricing” relatively than excessive income.
Rising Fox & Prepare
It looks like Caleb and Clarissa’s technique has been paying off. Fox & Prepare began with a single BambuLab A1 Mini printer however now operates a number of machines to maintain up with rising demand. The couple reported that they broke even in Mar this 12 months, simply 5 months after their launch.
Now and again, the couple are consistently brainstorming for brand spanking new concepts to develop their ardour undertaking. On the identical time, they acknowledge that advertising has been difficult, relying totally on natural progress by social media, phrase of mouth, and Carousell.
To increase their attain and on-line presence, the duo has been actively pursuing collaborations. Current partnerships embody Hip Van’s Communa app, a home-styling inspiration and buying platform that may quickly function their merchandise as residence decor objects.
Clarissa additionally highlighted a notion problem: Fox & Prepare doesn’t explicitly promote that its merchandise are 3D-printed. “Some folks assume that means decrease high quality, which isn’t true. Our items are each aesthetically pleasing and sensible,” she defined.
That stated, the couple stays undeterred and continues to develop their model. Finally, Fox & Prepare gives an outlet for Caleb to carry his hobbies to life. Past 3D printing, the enterprise additionally affords PC companies, certainly one of Caleb’s passions, together with cleansing and constructing, with companies beginning at S$45—a section that has confirmed to be in excessive demand.
All through their journey, Clarissa and Caleb have discovered the worth of endurance and focus. Early on, launching too many merchandise directly taught them {that a} clear model id issues, and spreading themselves too skinny can result in wasted time and sources.
“Begin gradual. While you transfer too quick, issues can disintegrate,” Caleb stated.
