He turned a interest right into a rising biz providing reasonably priced 3D prints

Fox & Practice’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 fast prototyping in tech startups to artistic functions in design, schooling, and even residence decor, the expertise has moved past industrial labs into the palms of hobbyists and small companies. 

This contains Fox & Practice, 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 provides a spread of reasonably priced, customisable 3D-printed merchandise.

We spoke with the duo to learn how they went from experimenting with a interest to operating a rising enterprise.

Beginning up Fox & Practice

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 have been missionaries.

His curiosity in expertise 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 pals.

That very same 12 months, Caleb additionally began experimenting with 3D printing, utilizing his faculty’s free printing service to deliver his concepts to life. He taught himself Fusion360, a 3D modelling program, and rapidly developed the abilities to show his ideas into tangible designs.

In 2022, Caleb linked with Clarissa, who was an HR specialist in Singapore, by way of a mutual good friend when the latter wanted assist selling a web-based convention. They naturally clicked and their relationship blossomed right into a platonic and, finally, a romantic one. They acquired married in Singapore final 12 months, and Caleb settled down along 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 & Practice in Oct 2024.

Initially, Fox & Practice provided a variety of 3D printed merchandise—from clocks and housebirds to seasonal decorations and pen holders—however the duo rapidly 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 give attention to 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 word holders to tabletop organisers. Alternatively, the vase assortment showcases designs by fellow 3D print creators reminiscent of SabreDesign, from whom the couple bought business licences.

Each print takes seven to eight iterations, with their filament suppliers fastidiously 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, reminiscent of sanding tough edges, to satisfy requirements. As such, every merchandise takes two to 3 days to finish.

Banking on affordability and customisation

Nonetheless, 3D printed merchandise aren’t new in Singapore. Many companies already supply comparable 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 continuing problem of standing out out there whereas balancing high quality, pricing, and creativity.

To distinguish themselves, Fox & Practice 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 provides customized print jobs, which presently kind 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 in style in 3D printing. The service comes with no setup charges, hourly fees, 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 worth of a printed product.

We’re one in every of, if not probably 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” quite than excessive income.

Rising Fox & Practice

It looks like Caleb and Clarissa’s technique has been paying off. Fox & Practice 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.

Every so often, the couple are continuously brainstorming for brand spanking new concepts to develop their ardour challenge. On the similar time, they acknowledge that advertising and marketing has been difficult, relying totally on natural development via social media, phrase of mouth, and Carousell. 

To broaden their attain and on-line presence, the duo has been actively pursuing collaborations. Current partnerships embrace Hip Van’s Communa app, a home-styling inspiration and procuring platform that may quickly characteristic their merchandise as residence decor objects.

Clarissa additionally highlighted a notion problem: Fox & Practice doesn’t explicitly promote that its merchandise are 3D-printed. “Some individuals assume that means decrease high quality, which isn’t true. Our items are each aesthetically pleasing and sensible,” she defined.

That mentioned, the couple stays undeterred and continues to develop their model. Finally, Fox & Practice offers an outlet for Caleb to deliver his hobbies to life. Past 3D printing, the enterprise additionally provides PC companies, one in every 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 persistence and focus. Early on, launching too many merchandise without delay taught them {that a} clear model id issues, and spreading themselves too skinny can result in wasted time and assets.

“Begin gradual. Whenever you transfer too quick, issues can disintegrate,” Caleb mentioned.

• Discover out extra about Fox & Practice right here.
• Learn extra tales we’ve written on Singaporean companies right here.