When Brent Smith bought his first 3D printer in 2021, he didn’t expect how much time and money the hobby would take. Today, he’s turned that curiosity into a home-based venture in Wrangell: Alaska Made Productions.

From a workshop crowded with printers, tools and tabletop figures — Batman stands guard over one corner — Smith offers more than 3D prints. He’s expanded into dye-sublimation printing, laser etching and woodburning, building a product mix aimed at tourists and local customers who want custom, quick-turn items.

“I currently have resin printers and filament printers,” Smith said. “There’s a UV printer being developed, and I hope to have one by February or March. With that one I’ll be able to do things that I can’t with the equipment I have now.”

Smith moved to Wrangell in September 2024 and serves as pastor at Wrangell Bible Baptist Church. Since arriving, he’s sold to cruise visitors and residents — and found a niche in problem-solving jobs that traditional retailers can’t handle.

“I had someone come to me recently with some broken pieces from a lawn chair that they couldn’t get replaced by the manufacturer,” he said. “I was able to scan the pieces and print replacements for them to use.”

Before moving to Alaska, Smith led a church in upstate New York and used the same approach to fix a broken pulpit light.

“I was just fascinated by 3D printing,” he said. “Initially it was just a fun hobby. But it’s the most expensive hobby you can ever have.”

The investment has broadened his catalog. In addition to original 3D-printed items, Smith has started making jigsaw puzzles, tote bags, T-shirts and coffee mugs.

“I made mugs with the Wrangell Christmas tree last year, and that was a very popular item,” he said.

On the laser side, Smith uses engraving to create custom designs on leather and wood — wedding gifts, commemorative plaques and branded goods for small businesses.

“It’s a very fun process from start to finish, when someone orders something custom,” he said. “I like all of this because it’s basically a problem-solving thing.”

The business model leans on small-batch, made-to-order work and quick customization — a practical fit for an island community with limited retail options and longer shipping times. It also plays to Wrangell’s seasonal traffic. Cruise passengers often look for locally made souvenirs, and residents seek replacements and one-off parts that are hard to source.

“I have a lot of materials, but depending on what someone wants, I’ll have to order more, and that can take a while getting to the island,” Smith said.

With the holidays approaching, he’s encouraging early orders to allow time for materials to arrive and custom items to be produced.

Smith’s next planned equipment purchase, a UV printer, would let him print high-resolution, full-color images directly on a wider range of surfaces, from acrylic to metal, expanding beyond what his resin and filament printers can do. He frames the upgrade as both a creative step and a business decision — opening up more profitable products and faster turnaround.

Alaska Made Productions’ growth reflects a broader trend: small makers using desktop manufacturing and design tools to fill local gaps, especially in remote markets. For Smith, that includes practical replacement parts, personalized gifts and short-run branded goods for community organizations and small companies that don’t meet the minimums required by larger vendors.

“Every day, I’m reminded of that saying: ‘If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life,’” he said. “It’s a very fun process altogether.”

Customers can email AlaskaMadeProductions@proton.me by call 907-305-0392, or go online at ampitup.baby.