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When is 3D printing profitable?

11 August 2022

In recent years, the use of 3D printing has been growing in popularity both among companies and for personal use. Entrepreneurs and individuals started to notice the potential of 3D printing technology.

In this article, you will learn what are the greatest benefits of 3D printing and when it is beneficial to invest in it!





The main benefits of 3D printing


3D printing is growing in popularity for a reason, as it has a lot to offer both for companies and individual customers. It is characterized by completely different requirements compared to the popular injection technology, which is focused only on mass production. Many manufacturers choose 3D printing technology because of lower production costs.

Below you will find the main advantages of the 3D printing technology, which makes it more and more common across different industries.

Short delivery time


Quick implementation is one of the most important features that characterize 3D printing.

In our case, the delivery time for standard orders is only 3 to 5 business days. It consists of a printing process that takes about 15 hours and a mandatory 24 hours for cooling.

This is definitely a shorter time than the popular injection molding, where the average waiting time for the order is 2-3 months. Faster delivery of parts is a key argument for many of our customers when choosing 3D printing technology.

Just In Time production


Just In Time – also known as on-time deliveries, enables highly effective production management that aims to completely eliminate waste.

The 3D printing technology enables such a style of production management thanks to the fast delivery of the necessary parts. In this way, companies can save the funds previously spent on product storage, as well as eliminate the costs of producing unnecessary surpluses.

In addition, with each order, it is possible to modify the design, which allows you to make the necessary changes faster and more often.

Quality and durability


3D printing is a precise production method that has been developed over the years and currently, the parts created in 3D printing technology do not differ in any way from the quality of injection molding.
The same can be said about the durability of 3D printed parts.

The devil’s in the detail


It is worth noting the unique possibilities offered by 3D printing, including the production of geometrically complex parts.

Thanks to the layer-by-layer application of the material, we can create any shape, including, for example, a perfect sphere that is empty inside at the same time.

3D printing is perfect for prototyping



3D printing technology has become especially popular for prototyping. It enables the production of several versions of the product and the quick introduction of changes to the design, e.g. after receiving feedback from the first customers.



For example, according to Stratasys data, in the aerospace industry, 72% of all prototyping needs are met by 3D printing.

Customers can submit their designs of ready-to-print prototypes or use the help of specialists to create professional designs. If you need support in 3D design, please contact our experts.

3D printing has its limitations



Of course, like any technology, also 3D printing has its limitations. The main one is a fairly limited selection of materials used in production. This can be a problem for customers who need flexible materials or require high chemical resistance to specific substances.

PThe number of materials used in 3D printing is still growing, but today it is worth knowing the 5 most popular materials in 3D printing.

In which industries is 3D printing particularly useful?


3D printing technology is used in various industries, and their number is increasing day by day. As of today, however, clients can be divided into two groups.

  • Factories – most often use 3D printing to order spare parts, prototypes, production tools, as well as tools intended for quality control.



  • Manufacturers of advanced equipment – this group often includes manufacturers of electronics, as well as medical companies, where individually designed parts are required for each product.

    When is it profitable to outsource 3D printing to an external company?


    In practice, if you do not own a large factory, and the demand for parts from 3D printing is greater than just for your own use at home. In this case, outsourcing 3D printing to an external company is the most economical option.

    Buying your own 3D printer pays off in very few cases. In practice, such an investment makes sense only when we are talking about big companies that have a constant, significant demand for parts and operate on a large scale. Why?

    First of all, if we expect high-quality products, they should be created in a professional 3D printer, which is very expensive. Therefore, with occasional use, it is much more profitable to order parts from a company with specialized equipment.

    Additionally, high-quality equipment is not enough to obtain satisfactory results. Specialized know-how, space for peripheral machines, as well as regular servicing of the printer are also necessary. The operating costs must not be forgotten either.

    Therefore, before the possible purchase of a 3D printer, it is worth considering what end result we expect, as well as adding up all the above-mentioned costs and making the best decision on this basis.

    3D printing technology is constantly developing


    The number of 3D printing applications is growing year by year and more and more companies are already taking advantage of this technology to reduce costs as well as to better secure the supply chain.

    Over time, 3D printing will increasingly replace traditional production methods. Companies wishing to attract customers who are more and more demanding will turn to personalized products. This is where 3D technology comes in handy.

    If you would like to know how this technology can help you achieve your company’s goals, please contact us!