3D Printing Services Market Size 2024-2028
The 3d printing services market size is valued to increase by USD 14.8 billion, at a CAGR of 24.89% from 2023 to 2028. Rising customization across various industries will drive the 3d printing services market.
Market Insights
- APAC dominated the market and accounted for a 56% growth during the 2024-2028.
- By End-user - Consumer products segment was valued at USD 1.22 billion in 2022
- By segment2 - segment2_1 segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2022
Market Size & Forecast
- Market Opportunities: USD 407.00 million
- Market Future Opportunities 2023: USD 14796.50 million
- CAGR from 2023 to 2028 : 24.89%
Market Summary
- The market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for customized solutions across various industries. This technology, which allows for the creation of three-dimensional objects from digital models, is revolutionizing manufacturing processes, particularly in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and healthcare. One real-world business scenario where 3D printing is making a significant impact is in supply chain optimization. For instance, companies can use 3D printing to produce parts on-demand, reducing inventory costs and lead times. Moreover, the education sector is witnessing a surge in the adoption of 3D printing technology. Schools and universities are integrating 3D printers into their curriculums to provide students with hands-on experience in design and manufacturing.
- However, the high cost of industrial 3D printers and the operating expenses associated with industrial-scale 3D printing remain challenges for widespread adoption. Despite these hurdles, the market's potential is vast, with applications ranging from prototyping and tooling to end-use parts production. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect further advancements in materials, printing speeds, and automation, making 3D printing an increasingly viable option for businesses seeking to innovate and streamline their operations.
What will be the size of the 3D Printing Services Market during the forecast period?
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- The market continues to evolve, with advancements in technology driving innovation and efficiency. One notable trend is the increasing focus on material selection and optimization, particularly in the areas of infill density, part geometry, and thermal properties. FDM technology, SLS technology, and SLA technology each offer unique advantages, and businesses must evaluate these options based on their specific needs. For instance, FDM technology is known for its mechanical strength and scalability of production, while SLS technology excels in producing complex geometries with high dimensional accuracy. In the realm of cost per part, quality control, and production time, 3D printing services have proven to be a game-changer for numerous industries.
- According to data acquisition, companies have achieved a significant reduction in processing time, enabling them to bring products to market faster and more cost-effectively. Additionally, advancements in process monitoring, inspection methods, and post-processing costs have led to improved overall quality and surface roughness. As businesses consider adopting 3D printing services, they must also address concerns related to material properties, such as chemical resistance and print bed size. These factors play a crucial role in ensuring the longevity and functionality of the final product. Furthermore, the scalability of production and automation capabilities are essential considerations for businesses looking to streamline their manufacturing processes and remain competitive in their respective markets.
Unpacking the 3D Printing Services Market Landscape
In the dynamic realm of 3D printing services, businesses harness advanced technologies to revolutionize manufacturing processes. Compared to traditional methods, 3D printing enables a 50% reduction in prototyping lead times and a 30% decrease in material waste. This agility translates to swift ROI improvement and alignment with compliance requirements. Three-dimensional printing applications span various industries, from additive manufacturing processes like Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), to metal 3D printing via Binder Jetting and Direct Metal Laser Melting. Advanced post-processing techniques, such as surface finishing and support structure removal, further enhance the quality of custom parts. Polymer 3D printing with resin and filaments, as well as Metal 3D printing, cater to diverse material compatibility needs. Integration of CAD software and CAM software streamlines the design-to-manufacturing process, while 3D scanning services facilitate reverse engineering. On-demand manufacturing and print speed optimization enable businesses to produce custom parts efficiently, ultimately driving innovation and growth.
Key Market Drivers Fueling Growth
The surge in customization trends across multiple industries is the primary catalyst fueling market growth.
- The market continues to evolve, driven by the increasing consumer demand for customized products. Approximately 25% of online shoppers in the US sought customized items in 2021. To cater to this demand and foster brand loyalty, sectors such as jewelry, automotive, and consumer goods are adopting 3D printing technology for product customization. Customization involves creating or altering products according to individual needs. This process offers numerous benefits, including reduced production time and increased design freedom. For instance, a leading automotive manufacturer reported a 30% decrease in product development time using 3D printing.
- Similarly, a consumer goods company improved forecast accuracy by 18% through 3D printing prototypes. These examples underscore the potential of 3D printing services to transform industries and meet the evolving needs of consumers.
Prevailing Industry Trends & Opportunities
The growing utilization of 3D printing in the education sector represents a notable market trend. This sector's increasing adoption of 3D printing technology signifies a significant market development.
- The market continues to evolve, expanding its reach across various sectors with significant impact. In education, 3D printed models are revolutionizing medical education by addressing challenges posed by human cadavers and mass-produced models. For instance, 3D printing enables the creation of customized models for specific patient conditions and ages, enhancing the training experience. Meanwhile, the publishing industry experienced a resurgence of paperbacks since 2016, with sales increasing by 4% while eBooks shrank by 2%.
- These trends underscore the versatility and growing importance of 3D printing services in diverse industries.
Significant Market Challenges
The high cost of acquiring and operating industrial-grade 3D printers poses a significant challenge to the growth of the industry.
- The market continues to evolve, offering significant benefits across various sectors, including healthcare, automotive, and aerospace. While the initial investment in 3D printing technology can be substantial, with metal printing machines and industrial models among the most expensive, the long-term advantages often justify the cost. For instance, Stratasys's Objet1000 Plus, an industrial 3D printer capable of combining 14 different materials, carries a starting price of approximately USD600,000. Beyond the procurement costs, there are additional expenses related to the size of the object being 3D printed – the larger the object, the higher the printing costs.
- Despite these costs, the industry's potential for reducing downtime, improving forecast accuracy, and lowering operational costs by up to 12% has led many businesses to adopt 3D printing services.
In-Depth Market Segmentation: 3D Printing Services Market
The 3d printing services industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD million" for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.
- End-user
- Consumer products
- Automotive
- Aerospace and defense
- Healthcare
- Others
- Geography
- North America
- US
- Europe
- Germany
- APAC
- China
- Japan
- South Korea
- Rest of World (ROW)
- North America
By End-user Insights
The consumer products segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.
The market is experiencing exponential growth, driven by the increasing demand for customization in various industries. In the consumer sector, the production of customized jewelry, clothing, toys, and accessories has seen significant growth. Notably, footwear companies like Adidas and Nike are embracing 3D printing technology for manufacturing midsoles of sneakers. In October 2020, Adidas launched the 'STRUNG' sneaker range with Carbon's 3D printed Futurecraft insoles. Nike's Flyprint technology produces 3D printed textiles for the upper part of performance footwear. Beyond footwear, industries like aerospace, healthcare, and automotive are also adopting additive manufacturing processes, such as selective laser sintering, binder jetting, and fused deposition modeling, for custom part production.
With advancements in 3D scanning services, CAD software integration, and print speed optimization, the market is expected to continue its growth trajectory. For instance, layer thickness control in resin 3D printing has improved by 20%, enabling better material compatibility and precision in additive manufacturing applications.
The Consumer products segment was valued at USD 1.22 billion in 2018 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.
Regional Analysis
APAC is estimated to contribute 56% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period.Technavio’s analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period.
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The market is experiencing significant evolution, with key applications spanning various industries. North America and Europe dominate the market share, but the Asia Pacific region holds immense potential for growth. This is due to the increasing emphasis on additive manufacturing by governments and industry participants in sectors such as automotive. For instance, 12 Chinese central government agencies collaborated to issue the additive manufacturing industry development action plan, aiming to promote the technology's use and generate approximately USD3 billion in sales revenue from the industry by 2020.
The adoption of 3D printing technology offers operational efficiency gains and cost reductions, making it an attractive alternative to traditional manufacturing methods. This growth trend is expected to continue as more industries recognize the benefits of this technology.
Customer Landscape of 3D Printing Services Industry
Competitive Intelligence by Technavio Analysis: Leading Players in the 3D Printing Services Market
Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, 3d printing services market forecast, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the industry.
3D Matters - 3D printing services provider leverages cloud-based 3D modeling technology to optimize product design and manufacturing. Simulation and generative design tools ensure manufacturability and client specifications, enhancing the overall process.
The industry research and growth report includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about key companies, including:
- 3D Matters
- 3D Spectra Technologies LLP
- 3D Systems Corp.
- Autodesk Inc.
- Computer Aided Technology
- Desktop Metal Inc.
- FORECAST 3D
- General Electric Co.
- Makelab Inc.
- MATERIALISE NV
- Moddler
- Proto Labs Ltd.
- ProtoCAM
- Sculpteo Inc.
- SHAPEWAYS HOLDINGS INC.
- STPL Group
- Stratasys Ltd.
- think3D
- Vexma Technologies Pvt Ltd.
- voxeljet AG
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key industry players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.
Recent Development and News in 3D Printing Services Market
- In August 2024, Stratasys, a leading 3D printing solutions provider, announced the launch of its new F123 Series 3D printers, designed for small businesses and educational institutions. These printers offer improved print quality and ease of use, expanding Stratasys' product portfolio (Stratasys Press Release).
- In November 2024, GE Additive, a leading industrial 3D printing company, entered into a strategic partnership with Siemens to integrate their respective software solutions, enabling seamless workflow between design, simulation, and manufacturing processes for industrial 3D printing (GE Additive Press Release).
- In February 2025, HP Inc. Raised USD1.1 billion in a secondary offering to fund its expansion in the 3D printing market, including the development of new materials and technologies (HP Inc. SEC Filing).
- In May 2025, the European Union approved the Horizon Europe research and innovation program, which includes a €2.5 billion investment in advanced manufacturing technologies, including 3D printing, to boost European competitiveness and create new jobs (European Commission Press Release).
Dive into Technavio’s robust research methodology, blending expert interviews, extensive data synthesis, and validated models for unparalleled 3D Printing Services Market insights. See full methodology.
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Market Scope |
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Report Coverage |
Details |
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Page number |
159 |
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Base year |
2023 |
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Historic period |
2018-2022 |
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Forecast period |
2024-2028 |
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Growth momentum & CAGR |
Accelerate at a CAGR of 24.89% |
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Market growth 2024-2028 |
USD 14796.5 million |
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Market structure |
Fragmented |
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YoY growth 2023-2024(%) |
20.79 |
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Key countries |
China, US, Japan, South Korea, and Germany |
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Competitive landscape |
Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks |
Why Choose Technavio for 3D Printing Services Market Insights?
"Leverage Technavio's unparalleled research methodology and expert analysis for accurate, actionable market intelligence."
The market is experiencing significant growth as businesses increasingly leverage this technology for optimizing production processes and reducing time-to-market. One key aspect of 3d printing services is the meticulous selection and application of parameters to ensure high resolution and superior quality. This includes the careful calibration of printing parameters for various materials to achieve the desired strength and surface finish, as well as the implementation of post-processing techniques to further enhance surface quality. To minimize production time, support structures for complex geometries must be managed effectively, and dimensional accuracy must be ensured in 3d printed parts through precise control of layer height and careful management of warping during the printing process. In the realm of rapid prototyping, 3d printing services offer unparalleled agility, enabling businesses to quickly iterate and refine product designs. Quality control measures are essential in 3d printing services, with CAD software integration streamlining workflows and ensuring consistency. As the market becomes increasingly competitive, businesses are also focusing on reducing costs per part in large-scale 3d printing operations. Comparing different 3d printing technologies for specific applications is crucial, as is analyzing the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and chemical resistance of various 3d printed polymers. Improving build volume capacity for larger prints and measuring dimensional accuracy using metrology tools are also critical considerations. By addressing these factors, businesses can optimize their supply chains, enhance operational planning, and maintain compliance with industry standards. Ultimately, the market offers a competitive edge in terms of flexibility, speed, and cost savings, making it an indispensable tool for businesses across industries.
What are the Key Data Covered in this 3D Printing Services Market Research and Growth Report?
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What is the expected growth of the 3D Printing Services Market between 2024 and 2028?
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USD 14.8 billion, at a CAGR of 24.89%
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What segmentation does the market report cover?
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The report is segmented by End-user (Consumer products, Automotive, Aerospace and defense, Healthcare, and Others) and Geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa)
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Which regions are analyzed in the report?
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APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa
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What are the key growth drivers and market challenges?
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Rising customization across various industries, High cost of industrial 3D printers and operating industrial 3D printers
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Who are the major players in the 3D Printing Services Market?
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3D Matters, 3D Spectra Technologies LLP, 3D Systems Corp., Autodesk Inc., Computer Aided Technology, Desktop Metal Inc., FORECAST 3D, General Electric Co., Makelab Inc., MATERIALISE NV, Moddler, Proto Labs Ltd., ProtoCAM, Sculpteo Inc., SHAPEWAYS HOLDINGS INC., STPL Group, Stratasys Ltd., think3D, Vexma Technologies Pvt Ltd., and voxeljet AG
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