How to sell brick MOC instructions online
Strategy and expectations for selling digital instructions, once you already know how to design and export files. OpenStuds uses bricks as neutral language for the whole hobby. New to the pipeline? Get started with brick MOCs and export XML & instructions first.
1
What you are actually selling
Most MOC sales are digital: step-by-step instructions, a parts list (often as BrickLink-style XML), and sometimes notes on substitutions or tricky steps, not the plastic bricks. For a fuller definition of MOCs and how they differ from official sets, see What Are MOCs?.
2
What paying buyers expect
People who buy instructions usually want a clear build, accurate parts data, and files that open without hassle. Invest in readable steps, a parts list that matches the model, and preview images that show the real build. See upload best practices for the rest. For cleaner formatting in your listing copy, use Markdown basics for sellers. Be honest in the description about scale, complexity, and any required non-standard parts; that cuts refunds and support churn.
3
Where to sell: marketplaces and OpenStuds
Many designers use more than one channel over time. Community hubs such as Rebrickable are strong for discovery tied to official retail sets and shared inventories. Design still usually happens in tools like BrickLink Studio; the “sell” step is choosing where buyers meet you.
OpenStuds
- OpenStuds is built for independent brick designers: you can publish instructions for compatible systems and custom techniques, not only one-brand-only framing. That helps experimental or niche models that do not fit every legacy marketplace.
- Choosing between listing here and running everything on your own site has trade-offs: traffic, fees, and operations. Marketplace vs own shop spells those out.
4
Publishing on OpenStuds (the short version)
The full click path lives in Upload your MOC: Stripe onboarding, attaching instructions and XML, pricing, and going live. Before you price, skim how commission works (platform fee, Stripe, reputation-based rates) so your numbers match what you expect in the payout.
5
Growing beyond a single listing
Long-term sales usually come from a steady cadence of releases, clear communication, and showing up where your buyers already are (social, forums, your own mailing list). Consistent quality and honest listings build trust faster than one viral drop, especially when people compare you to other designers on the same marketplace.
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