3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technique that creates objects, based on digital models, through printing layers of special material. In other words, it’s much like what an inkjet printer does in creating images on paper; instead, the 3D printing machine prints objects.
The additive manufacturing process utilized by 3D printers presents a major contrast to traditional subtractive manufacturing techniques. Such a process builds objects sequentially, layer-by-layer. It’s also quite different from molding techniques used in manufacturing.
Modern 3D printers utilize numerous kinds of materials including metal, ceramics, plastic, paper, glass, and even living cells. These materials also come in varying forms, such as liquids, filaments, powders and sheets. The produced objects would feature an even greater diversity of shapes, patterns, colors and even interconnected moving parts.

3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing technique that creates objects, based on digital models, through printing layers of special material. In other words, it’s much like what an inkjet printer does in creating images on paper; instead, the 3D printing machine prints objects.
The additive manufacturing process utilized by 3D printers presents a major contrast to traditional subtractive manufacturing techniques. Such a process builds objects sequentially, layer-by-layer. It’s also quite different from molding techniques used in manufacturing.
Modern 3D printers utilize numerous kinds of materials including metal, ceramics, plastic, paper, glass, and even living cells. These materials also come in varying forms, such as liquids, filaments, powders and sheets. The produced objects would feature an even greater diversity of shapes, patterns, colors and even interconnected moving parts.