In 2025, heading west, opportunity presents itself.
As a vertical platform deeply involved in the 3D printing industry, we have an in-depth understanding of the current industry development. It is not only an era of rapid technological iteration, but also a critical stage in which market demand and application scenarios are constantly expanding. Next, we hope to discuss with you the next development trend of 3D printing industry through this article.
If we summarize it in one sentence, what we mean is: this is another rare opportunity in ten years, and everyone must seize it.
1. Transformation into a service provider: not only “selling hammers”, but also “forging iron” personally
In the final analysis, the main concern of 3D printing customers is not the equipment or materials themselves, but the high quality of the final product. Many users do not insist on purchasing materials to do it themselves, but prefer to search for “one-stop 3D printing services”. Even users purchasing hardware usually require manufacturers to participate in the entire production process, from design optimization to printing implementation, to provide comprehensive technical support.
Following,Traditional 3D printing manufacturersIt will move from a simple role as a supplier of equipment or materials to a “service-oriented role” capable of solving customer problems. In 2025, anyone who can develop standardized service plans from design to production for different industrial applications will be able to take the lead in the fierce market competition.
To put it simply, they must not only continue to “sell the hammer”, but also “forge the iron themselves”, which may be more valuable. Typical companies here include Platinum Technology, Boli Technology and Chenglian Technology.
2. More new entrepreneurial faces: internal incubation and airborne forces coexist
As the 3D printing industry continues to grow, there will be more and more competitors on the trail. By 2025, we will see more new faces joining us. Some of these new entrants come from existing 3D printing companies. They either incubate new projects internally or choose to leave their jobs and start their own business, using their accumulated resources to create their own business.
The other part comes from crossovers of traditional industries, such as companies in the laser industry and 2D printers. Their existing customers have shown a strong demand for 3D printing technology, so these traditional business giants will obviously not sit idly by and will definitely plan to actively occupy a place in this emerging market. We’ve already seen that some companies, including Han’s Laser and Hanyin, have begun to expand their efforts in the 3D printing space.
As a reminder, entrepreneurial miracles like Chuangxiang 3D, which started with 300,000 yuan and now generates annual revenue of more than 1 billion yuan, may become increasingly difficult to replicate in the future. Therefore, it may be wiser to choose a differentiated path to starting a business. For example, 3D particle printing is a direction worth trying. At the same time, you can also become a 3D printing consultant to offer 3D printing solutions adapted to traditional industries.
3. Conquer foreign markets: consumer 3D printing reigns supreme and industrial 3D printing is accelerating global deployment.
“Going global” remains one of the core themes for the development of Chinese 3D printing enterprises in 2025. Over the past ten years, the rapid rise of the consumer 3D printer industry has enabled Chinese enterprises to achieve success at the top of the global consumer market. Nowadays, industrial-grade 3D printing is in the golden period of overseas expansion, and large industrial-grade enterprises are focusing more on it. In 2024, more than 110 Chinese companies will participate in the world’s largest 3D printing exhibition – Formnext in Germany, most of which are from the industrial field.
By participating in exhibitions, establishing branches, promoting localized services and participating in the formulation of international standards, these companies continue to strengthen their global influence and strive to occupy an important position in the international market. 3D printing. And companies that eventually achieve recognition in foreign markets will also gain influence in the domestic market.
As more and more companies enter the international market, we will also face possible trade restrictions or political barriers. Additionally, risk factors related to copyright and intellectual property may become more significant in 2025.
4. Enter life: 3D printing applications are entering an explosive period, and you have a printer in your home
In the past, we once shouted: “3D printing is life-changing, and everything can be printed, from food and clothing to housing and transportation.” Today, this vision is gradually becoming a reality. Behind this, more and more application scenarios of 3D printing are emerging. From houses and glasses and braces to toys, shoes and portraits, 3D printing is integrating into people’s lives in a variety of ways. In 2025, 3D printed integrated shoes are expected to usher in a large-scale explosion. Right now, many businesses are preparing for a big departure.
Today, the price of entry-level home 3D printers is approaching that of smartphones. As operations become more and more simplified, a large number of ready-made models are shared online, and the types of materials become more and more abundant, more and more ordinary families can choose to buy a 3D printer and everyone is a creator. Although there is still a long way to go before 3D printing can fully enter every home, 2025 represents at least a key turning point.
Additionally, we will see the emergence of a new generation of designers, many of whom grew up with the development of 3D printing technology. I believe you will soon learn more about their stories in our reports.
5. Artificial Intelligence: Making 3D printing more efficient, higher quality and easier to use
In 2025, we will see a deeper integration of 3D printing and artificial intelligence. 3D printing itself is a data-driven product, and artificial intelligence will further improve the efficiency of 3D printing through optimized data, intelligent process algorithms and data-driven technology, transforming a complex manufacturing process into a more intelligent and efficient production tool.
Artificial intelligence connects the entire 3D printing process system from design to printing, providing many intelligent functions, including automated modeling and optimization, dynamic adjustment of printing parameters, real-time quality monitoring, intelligent defect repair and material performance prediction. For example, when a user uploads a design file, AI can automatically detect the file’s printability, recommend appropriate material and equipment settings, and quickly generate an optimized print path.
If we talk about the most common 3D printing + AI application scenario in 2025, perhaps it will be directly generating printable models via text or images. The popularization of this technology will significantly lower the design threshold and allow more users to easily turn ideas into physical objects.
Write it at the end.
2025 is here and we are entering a dynamic era of “entrepreneurship”, with opportunities everywhere to be discovered. If you find one, you could be one step closer to success. Of course, with opportunity also comes competition and integration in the sector, and instances of business bankruptcy or mergers will also be common.
However, what is truly exciting is that first movers will take advantage of this wave by leveraging their first-mover advantage, sufficient resources, and a deep understanding of customer and application needs.
