In EVE Online, industry is the backbone of the game’s player-driven economy. Almost every item in the game — from the smallest ammo to the biggest ships — is built by players. This guide will help you understand how to start producing your own items, making ISK (money), and possibly building an industrial empire.
🔹 What Is Industry?
Industry in EVE includes several connected systems:
| Industry Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Turning materials into ships, ammo, drones, etc. |
| Mining | Extracting ore from asteroids. |
| Reprocessing | Refining ore into usable minerals. |
| Research | Improving blueprints to save time/materials. |
| Invention | Creating Tech II blueprint copies (advanced items). |
| Planetary Industry | Extracting and refining materials from planets. |
This guide will mostly focus on manufacturing, the heart of industry.
🧱 Step 1: Understanding Blueprints
All manufacturing is based on Blueprints — your “recipes” for crafting items.
Types of Blueprints:
- BPO (Blueprint Original): Permanent and can be researched/improved.
- BPC (Blueprint Copy): Limited-use, often for Tech II or quick production.
Where to Get Blueprints:
- BPOs from NPC stations (market).
- BPCs from contracts, missions, data sites, or player corporations.
Start with T1 (Tech I) blueprints: ammo, drones, frigates, or modules.
⛏️ Step 2: Getting Materials
Most industry jobs require minerals, obtained by:
🔸 Mining & Reprocessing:
- Mine ore in a ship (e.g. Venture).
- Reprocess ore at a station or structure with reprocessing services.
- Train skills: Reprocessing, Reprocessing Efficiency, and relevant ore skills.
🔸 Buying on the Market:
- Easier and faster than mining.
- Check prices at major trade hubs (e.g. Jita 4-4).
- Use the Industry window to see exact material needs.
🛠️ Step 3: Setting Up a Manufacturing Job
Once you have a blueprint and materials, here’s how to manufacture:
- Open the Industry Window (
Alt + Sor top menu). - Select your blueprint.
- Choose the Manufacturing tab.
- Select the facility (station or player structure with manufacturing service).
- Enter the number of runs.
- Click Start to begin the job.
Job time and material cost vary by item and your skills.
📚 Step 4: Train These Skills First
To get started, train the following industry skills:
| Skill | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Industry | Reduces manufacturing time. |
| Mass Production | Allows more concurrent jobs. |
| Advanced Industry | Further reduces job time. |
| Reprocessing | Improves ore refining yield. |
| Science | Unlocks research, invention later. |
Start with:
- Industry to 3+
- Mass Production to 2+
💰 Step 5: Making Profit from Industry
Start Small:
- Build ammo, drones, or modules.
- Fast build times, steady demand, low risk.
How to Check Profitability:
Use these tools:
- 🔧 Fuzzwork Blueprint Calculator
- 📊 Adam4EVE Industry Tools
- 📦 [EVE ISK per Hour (Windows App)] — industrial calculator
Compare:
- Material cost + job fees
- Market sell price
- Profit margin
Selling:
- Use Sell Orders in major hubs (e.g. Jita, Amarr, Dodixie).
- Avoid Immediate Sell — you’ll lose ISK.
🏭 Step 6: Expand Your Operations
Once you’re comfortable with T1 items:
🚀 Try:
- Tech II production (requires Invention).
- Shipbuilding (frigates → cruisers).
- Blueprint research (improves efficiency).
- Planetary Industry (extracts materials for building).
- Remote manufacturing using Supply Chain Management skill.
Join an Industry Corporation:
- Access to player-owned structures with lower job fees and taxes.
- Help with logistics, BPCs, hauling, and more.
⚙️ Example Beginner Project: Build and Sell Hobgoblin I Drones
- Buy Hobgoblin I BPO from NPC station.
- Train Industry and Mass Production to level 3.
- Buy minerals from market (Tritanium, Pyerite, Mexallon).
- Find a station with 🏭 manufacturing facility.
- Build 10–100 drones.
- Sell at Dodixie or Jita.
Simple, low-cost, and always in demand.
🔗 Helpful Resources
- 📘 EVE University: Industry Guide
- 🔧 Fuzzwork Blueprint Calculator
- 📊 Adam4EVE Tools
- 🧠 r/Eve: Industry discussions
✅ Final Tips
Track your costs — material, job, taxes, logistics.
Start small, reinvest profits.
Specialize in a few items you understand.
Watch the market regularly — prices change fast.
Don’t rush into Tech II or ships — build up capital and experience.