Ever wondered about 3D printing statistics, like how fast the industry is growing, which sectors are leading the way, or how it’s changing manufacturing? You’re in the right place.
We’ve spent weeks digging through the most reliable sources, including market reports, industry surveys, and expert studies, to bring you the most up-to-date and accurate 3D printing statistics. If you’re curious about the impact on healthcare, sustainability, or the rise of consumer use, this article has got the numbers. Let’s break down how 3D printing is reshaping the world as we know it.
The Growth of the 3D Printing Market
3D printing is transforming the way we think about creation. From revolutionizing industries to sparking personal creativity, it’s fueling a new era of innovation. Below, you’ll uncover the key trends and exciting ways this technology is shaping our future.
- Chuck Hall, the visionary behind 3D printing, invented the technology in 1983 and secured its patent just three years later in 1986.
- The global 3D printing market skyrocketed to $20.37 billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at a rapid 23.5% annual growth rate from 2024 to 2030.
- Around 66% of U.S. manufacturing companies have integrated 3D printing into their production workflows.
- Consumers recognize 3D printing’s impact across a variety of industries, with the most notable applications in medicine (48%), toys (34%), automotive (33%), jewelry and fashion (25%), furniture (19%), and food (14%).
- By 2025, the 3D printing market is predicted to reach an estimated $25 billion in value.
- 65% of survey participants foresee significant social, economic, and environmental changes as a result of 3D printing.
- A recent study revealed that nearly everyone has heard of 3D printing, with 40% first encountering it after 2015.
Industrial Applications of 3D Printing
3D printing is reshaping the industrial world, saving manufacturers both time and money. With over 80% of manufacturers reporting cost benefits, it’s clear this technology is becoming a staple. Below, you’ll find quotes and data that highlight just how transformative 3D printing has been in industrial applications—don’t miss these compelling insights!
- An impressive 82% of manufacturers report that 3D printing has helped them cut costs compared to traditional methods.
- When it comes to tooling, over half (57%) of surveyed companies now rely on 3D printing for tooling, jigs, and fixtures, a significant rise from just 30% in 2017 and 37% in 2019.
- In 2023, 21% of businesses turned to 3D printing for the low-volume production of final parts.
- The automotive industry is gearing up for a significant expansion, with a projected growth rate of 21.7% from 2022 to 2027.
Technological Advancements
Technology in 3D printing is on the fast track, with breakthroughs that make the process faster and more versatile. These improvements are boosting efficiency and opening up endless possibilities for small businesses and industrial players alike. Check out these 3D printing statistics that prove the technology is constantly pushing boundaries.
- New 3D printers have drastically improved speed, now cutting printing time by up to 50% compared to models from just a few years ago.
- The metal 3D printing sector is on fire, growing at an impressive CAGR of 24.6%, and driving widespread industrial adoption.
- The U.S. photopolymer resin market is expected to nearly double from $0.35 billion in 2022 to $0.65 billion by 2030, growing at a steady 8.7% CAGR.
3D Printing in Healthcare
3D printing is changing the healthcare game in ways that feel personal and practical. From custom prosthetics to detailed surgical models, it’s creating more custom options for patients. Even dental labs and bioprinting are joining the movement, helping create innovative solutions that impact everyday lives. This technology offers a promising future where healthcare becomes more accessible, precise, and effective.
- The medical 3D printing market is projected to hit $9.6 billion by 2030, with a strong 18.3% CAGR, driven by the increasing demand for personalized implants and prosthetics.
- A groundbreaking study found that 3D printed surgical models contributed to an impressive 97.1% acceptance rate for spinal deformity correction surgery.
- Bioprinting is making waves, with the industry growing at a healthy 12.5% CAGR, bringing innovative advances in tissue engineering and drug testing.
- Around 17% of dental labs in developed countries are already using 3D printing for creating crowns, bridges, and clear aligners.
3D Printing and Sustainability
3D printing is also redefining sustainability, offering a smarter way to create with less environmental impact. By minimizing waste and supporting on-demand production, it’s quite literally changing our manufacturing processes. Here are a couple of 3D printing statistics that showcase how the technology is paving the way to a greener future.
- 3D printing significantly cuts down on material waste, reducing it by up to 70%-90% compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
- By embracing on-demand manufacturing, companies can lower their carbon footprint by up to 13%, contributing to a more sustainable circular economy.
Consumer Applications
When it comes to consumer applications, 3D printing is breaking boundaries in creative and practical ways. This technology is reshaping how we engage with everyday products. The numbers tell a compelling story. From billions in market value to impressive growth rates, industries like education, fashion, and personalized manufacturing are tapping into 3D printing. Let’s explore the transformative impact of 3D printing in the consumer sphere.
- By 2024, the global desktop 3D printing market is expected to reach $5.88 billion, growing at a strong CAGR of 23.8%.
- The 3D printing education sector market is forecast to grow by $1.11 billion, with a CAGR of 13.64% from 2023 to 2028.
- 57% of educators use 3D printing for student-designed prototypes in problem-based learning, while 36% incorporate printed parts into lessons to boost engagement.
- The global 3D printed jewelry market reached $5 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 20% through 2033.
- Demand for custom 3D printing solutions—ranging from prosthetics to furniture—is projected to rise by 16.4% annually through 2029.
Conclusion
The 3D printing landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by innovation across industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and education. As this transformative technology continues to grow, it’s reshaping how we design, produce, and consume, with exciting implications for sustainability and customization.
From revolutionary advancements in bioprinting to reducing carbon emissions in traditional manufacturing, the potential is boundless. If you’re an industry leader or a curious observer, these 3D printing statistics show what promise the market has in store for us. Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning of what’s to come.
Sources
Here are the sources to the 3D printing statistics above as promised.
Hull, Chuck. “The Night I Invented 3D Printing.” CNN, 13 Feb. 2014, edition.cnn.com/2014/02/13/tech/innovation/the-night-i-invented-3d-printing-chuck-hall/index.html. Accessed [December 10, 2024].
Grand View Research. “3D Printing Industry Analysis.” Grand View Research, https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/3d-printing-industry-analysis. Accessed [December 09, 2024].
PwC. “3D Printing Comes of Age.” PwC, https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/industrial-products/library/3d-printing-comes-of-age.html. Accessed [December 08, 2024].
TY – JOUR AU – Mavri, Mania AU – Fronimaki, Evgenia AU – Kadrefi, Athanasia
PY – 2021/12/28 SP – T1 – Survey analysis for the adoption of 3D printing technology: consumers’ perspective VL – ahead-of-print DO – 10.1108/JSTPM-02-2020-0023
JO – Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management ER
3DPrint.com. “3D Printing Industry Worth $13.5B, Will Reach $25B by 2025.” 3DPrint.com, https://3dprint.com/298724/3d-printing-industry-worth-13-5b-will-reach-25b-by-2025/. Accessed [December 10, 2024].
TY – JOUR AU – Mavri, Mania AU – Fronimaki, Evgenia AU – Kadrefi, Athanasia
PY – 2021/12/28 SP – T1 – Survey analysis for the adoption of 3D printing technology: consumers’ perspective VL – ahead-of-print DO – 10.1108/JSTPM-02-2020-0023
JO – Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management ER
Fidan, I., Coşkuner, G., & Elliott, A. “Survey Analysis for the Adoption of 3D Printing Technology: Consumers’ Perspective.” ResearchGate, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357378406_Survey_analysis_for_the_adoption_of_3D_printing_technology_consumers’_perspective. Accessed [December 10, 2024].
Protolabs. “3D Printing Trend Report.” Protolabs, https://www.protolabs.com/resources/guides-and-trend-reports/3d-printing-trend-report/. Accessed [December 09, 2024].
Jabil. “3D Printing Jigs, Fixtures, and Tooling.” Jabil, https://www.jabil.com/blog/3d-printing-jigs-fixtures-tooling.html#download-form. Accessed [December 08, 2024].
Protolabs. “3D Printing Trend Report 2024.” Protolabs, https://www.protolabs.com/resources/guides-and-trend-reports/3d-printing-trend-report/. Accessed [December 02 2024].
Markets and Markets. “Automotive 3D Printing Market by Vehicle Type (ICE & Electric Vehicles), Offering (Hardware & Software), Component, Material (Metals, Plastics, Resin & Composites), Technology (SLA, SLS, EBM, FDM, LOM, 3DIP), Application, & Region – Global Forecast to 2027.” Markets and Markets,
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/automotive-3d-printing-market-250218997.html Accessed [December 01, 2024]
Dave Gershgorn. “A New Batch of 3D Printers Can Print Models in Half the Time.” Wirecutter, https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/new-3d-printers-are-way-faster/ Accessed [December 10, 2024].
Grand View Research. “Metal 3D Printing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology, By Software, By Component (Hardware, Software, and Services), By Application, By Printing Type, By Vertical, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 – 2030.” Grand View Research, https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/metal-3d-printing-market#:~:text=Metal%203D%20Printing%20Market%20Size%20&%20Trends,(CAGR)%20of%2024.6%%20from%202024%20to%202030. Accessed [November 29, 2024].
Meticulous Research. “Medical 3D Printing Market to be Worth $9.6 Billion by 2030” Meticulous Research. “https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/738/medical-3d-printing-market-2030. Accessed [December 10, 2024]
Chen PC, Chang CC, Chen HT, Lin CY, Ho TY, Chen YJ, Tsai CH, Tsou HK, Lin CS, Chen YW, Hsu HC. The Accuracy of 3D Printing Assistance in the Spinal Deformity Surgery. Biomed Res Int. 2019 Nov 11;2019:7196528. doi: 10.1155/2019/7196528. PMID: 31828123; PMCID: PMC6885147.
Verified Market Reports. “Global Photopolymer Resin Market By Type (Onium Salts, Organometallic), By Application (3D-Imaging, Electronics), By Geographic Scope And Forecast.” Verified Market Reports, https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/download-sample/?rid=651832&utm_source=Pulse25-US&utm_medium=070. Accessed [December 08, 2024].
Alemayehu DG, Zhang Z, Tahir E, Gateau D, Zhang DF, Ma X. Preoperative Planning Using 3D Printing Technology in Orthopedic Surgery. Biomed Res Int. 2021 Oct 12;2021:7940242. doi: 10.1155/2021/7940242. PMID: 34676264; PMCID: PMC8526200.
Grand View Research. “3D Bioprinting Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023–2030.” Grand View Research, https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/3d-bioprinting-market. Accessed [December 10, 2024].
Grand View Research. “U.S. Dental 3D Printing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application, By Technology, By Material, By End Use, And Segment Forecasts, 2025–2030.” Grand View Research,https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/us-dental-3d-printing-market-report. Accessed [December 10, 2024].
Madelin Hogan. “Sustainable Manufacturing: How to Use 3D Printing For Sustainable Production [2023].” Nexa3D https://nexa3d.com/blog/sustainable-manufacturing/. Accessed [December 08, 2024].
Manufacturing Tomorrow. “How 3D Printing Can Dramatically Reduce Carbon Emissions in the Manufacturing Industry.” Manufacturing Tommorrow, June 9, 2023, https://www.manufacturingtomorrow.com/story/2023/05/how-3d-printing-can-dramatically-reduce-carbon-emissions-in-the-manufacturing-industry/20720/. Accessed [December 06, 2024].
Grand View Research. Desktop 3D Printing Market Size, Share, & Trend Analysis Report By Component (Hardware, Software, Services), By Technology, By Software, By Application (Prototyping, Tooling, Functional Parts), By Vertical, By Material, By Region, Segment Forecasts, 2025 – 2030. GVR-4-68039-949-3, PDF, 120 pages.
3D Printing in Education Sector Market Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, Middle East, and Africa – US, UK, China, Canada, Germany – Size and Forecast 2024-2028. Published July 2024, 162 pages, SKU: IRTNTR40089.
The Brainy Insights. “3D Printed Jewelry Market Size by Technology (SLA, SLS, DLP, FDM, and Others), Material (Gold, Silver, Brass, Bronze, Polyamide, Wax, Alumide, and Others), End User (Jewelry Stores, Malls, and Others), Regions, Global Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2024 to 2033.” The Brainy Insights. https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/report/3d-printed-jewelry-market-14475 Accessed [December 05, 2024].
MarketsandMarkets. “3D Printing Market Size by Offering (Printer, Material, Software, Services), Technology (Fused Deposition Modelling, Stereolithography), Process (Powder Bed Fusion, Material Extrusion, Binder Jetting), Application, Vertical & Region – Global Forecast to 2029” MarketsandMarkets. https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/3d-printing-market-1276.html. Accessed [December 10, 2024].
