Local 3D printing business meeting the needs of regional customers

Posted on November 5, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Trevor Busch
Commentator/Courier
editor@tabertimes.com

Editor’s Note: This article was originally intended to run in our Oct. 20 Small Business Week special pages, but had to be held over due to space constraints.

Offering up a wide variety of 3D printed products for the Bow Island and County of Forty Mile markets, Boreal Layer Co. has been in operation since early 2026.

“Boreal Layer Co. is a home-based business located in the Bow Island – Forty Mile County area in southern Alberta. I started the business earlier in 2026, and I currently operate it from home rather than from a storefront,” said Adrian Klassen, owner/operator of Boreal Layer Co. “The name was meant to connect both to Canada and to 3D printing. ‘Boreal’ gives it a Canadian identity, while ‘Layer’ connects to how 3D-printed objects are created layer by layer. I also wanted a name that wasn’t limited to one particular product. Boreal Layer Co. is still growing, and I wanted the brand to be able to grow along with it.”

Klassen detailed some of the products his company is involved in producing.

“Boreal Layer Co. offers a mixture of ready-made products and custom 3D-printing work. Some of the products I sell include articulated items, fidgets, clickers, keychains, NFC products and other unique printed products. I also work with customers who have something more specific in mind and want to see whether 3D printing could be a good solution.”

But that’s only the tip of the iceberg for the evolving company, suggests Klassen.

“Business has been encouraging so far. I’ve sold through local markets, directly to customers and online, and I’ve been able to steadily expand what Boreal Layer Co. offers. One of the most interesting things is that people often first notice 3D printing because of the fun products, but once they start thinking about what the technology can do, they begin coming up with completely different ideas for custom and practical uses. I’m still early enough in the business that I wouldn’t try to put a number on the overall demand across the region, but the interest I’ve seen so far has given me a lot of reason to keep developing that side of the company.”

Learning the various ins and outs of operating a home-based business has been challenging, says Klassen, but things are starting to come together for the company. 

“I originally became interested in 3D printing because I liked the combination of technology, creativity and problem-solving. Being able to take an idea and turn it into an actual physical product is what really interested me. As I became more involved with it, I started seeing opportunities beyond making things for myself. That eventually became Boreal Layer Co. Since then, the business has grown into much more than simply producing 3D-printed items. I’ve had to learn about product development, branding, online selling, customer service, marketing, markets, websites and the business side of turning an idea into something people will actually want to buy. I’m still a student, so I’m building Boreal Layer Co. alongside school. A lot of what I’ve learned has come from hands-on experience – trying things, paying attention to customer feedback and continually improving the business.”

“Building a customer base is still an ongoing process, but local markets, word of mouth, repeat customers, social media and online sales have all played a part in that growth.”

Klassen has been refining the customer experience to better meet the needs of his clientele.

“There has been a big learning curve, and I think that is part of building any business. At first, a lot of my attention was naturally on the products themselves. Over time, I realized that making a good product is only one part of it. You also have to think about the customer experience, presentation, branding, inventory, quality, online presence and how all of those parts fit together. I have much better systems now than when I first started, and I’ve learned to pay a lot more attention to what customers actually want. There is still plenty I want to improve, though. I don’t think getting more experience means you stop learning. If anything, it gives you a better idea of what you still need to work on.”

As the industry continues to evolve, the sky is virtually the limit to the products that could be produced through 3D printing methods.

“That is probably one of the biggest areas I want Boreal Layer Co. to grow into,” said Klassen. “The fun products are a great introduction to 3D printing, but the technology can also be very useful for practical and custom applications. It can be used for customized business products, display pieces, organizers, prototypes, replacement items, signage, NFC-enabled products and many other situations where someone needs something that isn’t readily available off the shelf. Customization is one of the biggest advantages. A customer may need something designed around a very particular use, size, idea or purpose. That is where 3D printing can become much more valuable than simply being a hobby. Long term, I want Boreal Layer Co. to continue offering the products people enjoy while developing more custom work for individuals, organizations and local businesses. I’d like Boreal to become one of the first places people locally think of when they have an idea and wonder, ‘Could this be 3D printed?’”

Offering a satisfying and accessible local experience is his biggest advantage over online sales, argues Klassen.

“I think there is a lot of value in the small-business community in southern Alberta. Local markets and community events have been especially valuable because they give smaller and newer businesses an opportunity to meet customers directly. Being local also matters because people can actually talk to the person making the product instead of simply ordering something from a large company somewhere else. There is obviously competition online, since people can purchase 3D-printed products from almost anywhere. Locally, though, I haven’t found the market to feel overcrowded with businesses offering exactly the same combination of products, custom work and local service that I want Boreal Layer Co. to provide. I don’t want the business to compete only on price. I would much rather build it around good products, customization, reliable service and giving customers a reason to come back.”

Klassen has faith in the success of the small business model, and encouraged young people to try their hand at chasing their dreams.

“From my perspective, anything that makes it easier for someone to understand the rules, start a legitimate business and find opportunities to participate locally is valuable. I also think encouraging young people to try entrepreneurship is important. Running even a small business teaches you about responsibility, customer service, communication, problem-solving and making decisions that have real consequences. Small businesses are especially important in smaller communities because they create more variety, keep more business activity local and give people opportunities to try ideas that might never exist if everything had to come from a large company.”

Klassen points out that to be successful in his industry, in a sense the transaction doesn’t simply end when a customer hands over their dollars.

“Very important. For Boreal Layer Co., I don’t want a sale to simply end when somebody pays for a product. I want customers to be happy with what they receive, feel comfortable contacting me if they have a question or problem, and feel confident coming back again. For a small business, your reputation is extremely important. A positive experience can lead to a repeat customer or a recommendation to someone else, while a poor experience can do the opposite. That is why I want quality and customer service to remain a major part of Boreal Layer Co. as the business grows.”

For now, Klassen is focused on helping the business grow.

“One of my biggest goals is to keep expanding Boreal Layer Co. beyond individual products and build up the custom side of the business. I want to work with more local customers and businesses, continue improving the online side of Boreal Layer Co. and keep expanding the range of things the business is capable of providing. One accomplishment I’m proud of is how much Boreal Layer Co. has developed in a fairly short period of time. What started with an interest in 3D printing has developed into a real brand with its own website, online presence, local market sales, growing product range and customers.

I’m also proud that I’ve been able to build many different parts of the business myself while still being a student. There is definitely room to improve. One of the biggest areas I want to focus on is making more people aware that Boreal Layer Co. isn’t limited to toys or novelty products. If an individual or business has something they want made, customized or developed, I want them to feel comfortable reaching out and seeing whether I can help.”

Expansion and product diversification are key goals for the company moving forward.

“I think one of the most exciting parts of Boreal Layer Co. is that it still has a lot of room to grow. I started it while I’m young, which means I know I still have plenty to learn, but it also gives me a lot of time to continue developing the business and seeing where it can go. I don’t want Boreal Layer Co. to become known only for one product or one type of 3D printing. My goal is to keep building a business that can offer interesting products while also helping people and businesses turn their own ideas into something real. 3D printing is developing quickly, and I think more people are going to discover practical ways they can use it.”

For anyone in the area who has an idea for a custom product or is simply interested in seeing what Boreal Layer Co. offers, they can visit boreallayerco.ca or get in touch with the business.