Living in the 21st century is mind-boggling when you stop to think about it. The technology we have available to us on a daily basis couldn’t even be imagined a few short decades ago.

For example, right now you could pull a rectangle out of your pocket (your smartphone) and have a video call with someone on the other side of the planet. That was inconceivable not too long ago.

And what about the fact that you can print almost any type of object in your own home? The benefits of 3D printing literally allow you to design and create products in your bedroom.

Today, anyone can do anything. You don’t have to be a professional engineer to create an object that you imagine in your head.

So what is 3D printing? And how does 3D printing work to enable anyone to experiment with product design and prototyping? Keep reading to find out.

What Is 3D Printing and How Does It Work?

To put it simply, a 3D printer is a printer that can create three-dimensional objects. It extrudes molten, liquid plastic through a small nozzle to create the layers of your object.

The printing process is computerized and will print exactly according to your design. And while there’s more to it than that, all you need to do is design your product and insert the raw materials into the printer. 

In just a few minutes, you can have a custom-designed product, sculpture, or part.

Benefits of 3D Printing

There are too many 3D printing benefits to list out. But here are some of the top reasons to utilize a 3D printer today.

1. Test Ideas Quicker

Using a 3D printer to produce custom-designed parts is far faster than working with a manufacturer to develop samples. It can take a long time for machine shops to get to your low-cost project, especially if they are located overseas.

3D printing allows almost instantaneous product samples, allowing you to test ideas faster.

2. Low-Cost Prototypes

When you work with a traditional manufacturer or machine shop, developing custom products or parts is costly. Molds have to be created and large, complex machinery is required.

3D printing on the other hand can be very low cost. This gives you the opportunity to continue testing and refining until you have the perfect result.

3. No-Risk Product Development

Since product design and testing moves faster and costs very little, there’s is very little risk financially to your business or your personal funds. You can design and tinker without fear of failure.

3D Printing Services

Not ready to buy your own 3D printer yet? Totally understandable. Most quality 3D printers cost at least $1,000. Many cost over $5,000.

The printers you can get for a few hundred bucks probably can’t handle the ideas you have running through your head.

You can always hire a 3D printing company to produce a prototype for you. This could be a much more affordable way to start testing out your ideas before shelling over a few grand on your own printer. Check out this online 3D printing service to get started.

Test Until You Succeed

If you are interested in designing products, whether for an existing company, a business you hope to start, or for your own personal use, the benefits of 3d printing are undeniable.

They allow you to test as much as you want at the lowest cost. This gets your bad ideas out of the way quickly so you can reach success sooner. There’s no reason not to try 3D printing out for yourself.

And if you are interested in more ways you can use technology to launch or grow your business, be sure to check out the rest of our blog.