Overview / Executive Summary This is the mall kiosk idea that prints money. Literally. Walk-in customers, quick 3D face scan, custom bust shipped to their door in a week. It’s part novelty, part high-tech vanity project, and all profit. Personalized, physical products are having a moment. So is experiential retail. This sits at the intersection of both. The scanners are cheap, the tech is proven, and consumers are ready to be immortalized in marble-looking plastic. Why now? Because this is the gift idea of 2025 and nobody’s cornered the mall kiosk yet. Value Proposition Most people have never seen a bust of themselves unless they’re a dictator or a Roman senator. That’s about to change. We offer: A unique personalized gift you literally can’t buy off Amazon
Quick, on-site 3D scanning that’s fast, fun, and painless
A premium, made-to-order product that looks like it belongs in a museum
Convenient fulfillment: scan in person, get the bust delivered to your home
It’s a tangible memory, a viral TikTok moment, and a conversation starter all for under $200. Target Audience We’re selling to anyone who loves a bit of novelty and wants to give (or receive) something unforgettable. Core segments: Mall-goers impulse buying gifts or keepsakes
Couples, families, and tourists looking for a fun experience or souvenir
Tech-savvy shoppers who love 3D printing, AR, or the idea of a personalized sculpture
Gift buyers who are bored of candles and gift cards
Event attendees (think weddings, expos) who want a unique memento
Their pain point? Boring, generic gifts. Our solution? A statue of their actual face. Market Landscape The 3D face scanning market was worth $1 billion in 2023, and it’s growing fast expected to hit $3.06 billion by 2031. That’s a 15% CAGR, driven by personalization, experiential tech, and new applications in gifting, gaming, and even retail. On the supply side, 3D scanners are cheaper and better than ever. You don’t need a Hollywood studio setup. You need a structured light scanner, some space, and a power outlet. Current competitors like Shapify and Twindom are mostly focused on events or online sales. No one is aggressively going after mall kiosks with full-body, bust-quality scanning. That’s our opening. SEO Opportunities The keyword goldmine includes: 3D printed bust
3D face scanning kiosk
personalized sculpture gift
custom 3D printed figurine
mall 3D scanner
These are terms with buyer intent. People already search for them on Etsy, Reddit, and Google. We’ll build content and product pages optimized around these, plus run local PPC campaigns for “3D printed bust near me.” Go-To-Market Strategy Step one: pop-up kiosks in high-traffic malls. Not a permanent lease just a table, a scanner, and some signage. Target malls during the holiday season, Valentine’s Day, and graduation months. Sell the scan, ship the bust later. Execution playbook: Pilot in 1–2 malls with strong weekend traffic.
Train 1–2 staff to run the scanner and pitch customers in under 30 seconds.
Build a branded web experience where customers track their orders and view 3D previews.
Incentivize sharing: give a $5 discount for posting a selfie with the scan.
Capture customer emails and offer future discounts for holidays and family add-ons.
This is mall retail 2.0. High ROI with no inventory. Monetization Plan The model is simple and profitable: $100–$300 per bust, depending on material, size, and finish
Add-ons: matching photo frames, digital 3D model files, gift packaging
Bundled pricing for couples, families, or group busts
Corporate/event partnerships (think: scan the bridal party)
Upsells post-purchase via email (second copy, pet figurine, etc.)
Optional online-only scan kits for customers outside kiosk regions
Margins stay healthy because fulfillment is outsourced. We scan and send. Someone else prints. Financial Forecast Here’s a conservative Year 1 snapshot for a single kiosk setup: Startup Costs:
3D face scanner: $10,000
Kiosk setup: $5,000
Marketing & signage: $3,000
Software & licenses: $2,000
Total: ~$20,000
Monthly Operating Costs:
Staffing: $3,000
Materials and fulfillment (avg. $50/bust): $4,000
Mall space (part-time lease/pop-up): $2,000
Total: ~$9,000
Revenue Estimates:
Average price: $150
100 sales/month = $15,000
Yearly Revenue: ~$180,000
Year 1 Net Profit (after COGS and OpEx): ~$50,000
Break-even in 4-6 months
Once it works in one location, it can scale to 10 with minimal overhead. Risks & Challenges This business isn’t risk-free. Here’s what might go sideways: Scanner malfunctions can kill throughput
Print quality issues damage reputation if busts look weird
Poor kiosk location means no foot traffic, no sales
Fulfillment delays could ruin customer trust
Privacy concerns around scanning faces (need solid consent and data policies)
Seasonal demand dips between gift-giving holidays
Mitigation? Keep ops lean, test before expanding, and over-communicate with customers about delivery timelines and quality. Why It’ll Work This hits all the right notes: high margin, low footprint, visually impressive, and built for impulse purchases. It’s novel enough to stop mall shoppers in their tracks, and cool enough that people will share it online. Scanning tech is finally accessible, and consumer demand for personalization has never been higher. The bust is back. Only this time, it’s powered by lasers and resin.