A growing number of people are making money by selling 3D printed parts, jewelry, and other items online. Using 3D printing, you can sell anything from home decorations to children’s toys.
The idea behind it is pretty brilliant, after all. With 3D printing, you can reduce your overhead costs and manufacture products without owning or renting a factory or warehouse.
You can sell those parts on Etsy, eBay or even your own store.
What Is 3D Printing?
So, what is 3D printing, anyway? 3D printing, also known as additive printing, is a technology that allows you to create solid 3D objects from digital files or models (usually CAD files).
3D printing is called additive manufacturing because it adds layer upon layer onto a product until it is complete. That is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing, in which a product is created by cutting or hollowing it out from a block of plastic, metal, stone, or other material.
The digital file or model will need to be sliced into many layers, so the printer can then add each layer, one at a time, on top of each other.
3D printing is not new; it was developed back in the 1980s. However, recently, it has become more widespread and accessible to more people.
People can now buy commercial 3D printers to use at home, but it still is not cheap. In addition, you need to buy materials for the printer as well. Plastic is the most common material used, but metals, food, and other materials may be used as well.
Yes, you can create food with additive printing.
3D printing allows manufacturers to create products at a fraction of the cost of traditional manufacturing methods. In addition to small items, like toys, 3D printing is used to create complex tools, prototypes, and even auto parts.
Why Would You Need 3D Printing On Demand?
You need a 3D printer to sell 3D printed products, but what if you don’t own one of those printers?
3D printers can be pretty expensive. While the cheapest printers can cost just a few hundred dollars, the better printers, which you will need for more complicated products, can cost thousands of dollars.
That can be too much for entrepreneurs looking to start a business from home. Instead, you can order a 3D printed product on demand and send it to your customer (or even have the printing company send it to your customer directly).
Alternatively, if you are a small business owner or eCommerce seller and want to create and sell a new product, 3D printing can come in handy. It allows you to test out a prototype and see how it works and functions in real life without committing to a deal with a manufacturer just yet.
You can simply use 3D printing on demand to order and receive your prototype. Then, when you are satisfied with how it works, you can place an order with the manufacturer for a larger quantity.
You might also want to create several versions of a single product and see which one works the best. 3D printing is great for that — simply order one of each version.
3D printing is also a good idea if you want to “test the waters” and see how well a product will sell. Instead of ordering a huge amount of stock from a manufacturer, you can place a smaller order of 10-100 items with a 3D print on demand provider.
If the products sell well, and you are confident you will make money from selling them, you can invest more and place a larger order.
You can also use 3D printing to get a prototype you can show to potential investors or at trade shows.
In general, 3D printing offers a number of benefits over other manufacturing methods. For example, due to the way 3D printing works, it is easier and cheaper to create products with complex geometrical shapes, with greater precision.
Products made with 3D printing are also often more durable. Of course, that will depend on the methods and materials used.
Today, I will be going over the 12 best 3D print on demand manufacturers.
Best 3D Print On Demand Services
1. Shapeways
Shapeways is my #1 recommended 3D print on demand service. It’s a great option if you don’t yet have a ready-to-use 3D print file, as it provides several services to help you design one.
Shapeways has partnered with ZVerse to provide design services. Whether you have a 2D or another file you need to convert to a 3D file, or you just have an idea and no file at all, ZVerse will help you create a workable 3D file you can upload for 3D printing.
There are over 90 materials to choose from, with a wide range of 3D printing and other manufacturing technologies based on the material you chose and the product you will be creating. For example, if you want to create jewelry, you can use binder jetting to create a ring out of steel powder.
Binder jetting is also great for ceramics and other heavy materials. It takes metal or ceramic powder and shapes it into a final product, with a strong bond.
Another way to create jewelry at Shapeways is to use wax molding with cast metals. Each method has its pros and cons.
Plastics and aluminum or just two of the other types of materials available at Shapeways. Vacuum casting, machine tooling, and injection molding are some of the other manufacturing technologies it uses.
One reason I think Shapeways is the best 3D print on demand service is that it has an independent marketplace you can sell on and integrations with various eCommerce platforms.
In addition to the Shapeways API, Shapeways integrates directly with Shopify and Etsy. These integrations allow you to sell products from Shapeways on the Etsy marketplace or your own store, with seamless order fulfillment and tracking.
You can also choose to sell on the Shapeways marketplace, but you will be more limited in terms of which materials you can use. Nevertheless, it’s one of the best ways to get started with making money from 3D printing.
That’s in addition to the design services, which remove yet another barrier to getting started with 3D eCommerce.
It is free to open a shop on the Shapeways marketplace.
2. Quickparts
Quickparts is one of the original names in digital manufacturing, operating since 1999 with a global footprint of 6 production facilities plus a vetted partner network.
The 3D print-on-demand services are known for speed, scale, and engineering-grade results.
The QuickQuote® online engine lets you upload CAD files and get instant pricing for additive manufacturing in both plastics and metals, no minimums, so you can order one functional prototype or a low-volume production run of hundreds.
They run industrial systems covering SLA, SLS, MJF, DMLS, and more, which means you can validate form, fit, and function, or produce end-use parts with complex geometries traditional machining can’t touch.
For urgent timelines, Quickparts Express uses Nexa3D’s ultrafast LSPc polymer 3D printing alongside CNC and injection molding to deliver custom parts with same-day shipping on select orders. That mix of additive + traditional makes it easy to bridge from prototype to production without switching vendors.
Where Quickparts stands out is DfM support. Every project gets engineers who review files for printability, suggest materials, and flag cost/time optimizations before you commit.
Turnarounds are some of the fastest in the industry, and their localized U.S. and European manufacturing improves supply chain reliability.
Industries like electronics, appliances, aerospace, automotive, and medical use them for quick design iterations, jigs/fixtures, and short-run parts.
3. Shop3D
Another favorite of mine is Shop3D, due to its eCommerce plugin and integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy. Using the plugins, you can sell 3D printed products with no overhead and upfront costs.
It’s dropshipping at its finest, except that Shop3D will print and manufacture each product from scratch. Unlike with traditional dropshipping, you can manufacture and create your own products that you design yourself.
There’s no need to store the products you sell, allowing you to eliminate warehouse rental costs.
One of the things Shop3D is excellent at is creating custom 3D printed figurines for your shop. You can create your own little mascot figurine for your brand and sell it via Shop3D.
Shop3D even lets you sell jewelry made with precious metals. You can sell real gold rings or necklaces, for example, made of 18k gold.
Types of precious metal materials include 18k and 14k gold, sterling silver, platinum, and more.
Shop3D will ship your products directly to your customer. Not only that, but it can use custom packaging. It can be completely white label, with no mention of Shop3D anywhere on the packaging (depending on your plan).
In addition, you can have Shop3D insert stickers or other branded marketing materials into the packages before shipping. That way, it will look like you shipped the product yourself, and you will also be able to promote additional products you are currently selling.
With the Shopify and WooCommerce plugins and Etsy integration, you can fulfill orders quickly and easily.
To qualify for the white label solution, you need to pay a monthly fee. While you can use it for free, products will not only contain Shop3D branding, but will also contain Shop3D stickers.
Paid plans start at £19.99/month, but that plan simply allows you to send nonbranded products to customers. While the packaging won’t contain Shop3D branding, it won’t contain your branding, either.
You will need to sign up for the Pro Package, at £149.99/month, to qualify for branded inserts and packaging. However, you need to sell at least 500 orders a month to qualify for that plan.
Regular shipping to the US generally costs £8.65 and takes 5-7 working days. Express shipping is available too.
As Shop3D is based in the UK, shipping to Europe is cheaper, and shipping to the UK is even cheaper.
You can check the pricing page for updated pricing and shipping costs.
4. Xometry
Another fantastic 3D print on demand service is Xometry. It offers over 70 materials to choose from, including plastics and metals.
By uploading your 3D CAD file, you can get a quick online quote. Xometry uses technologies such as direct metal laser sintering, binder jetting, and selective laser sintering.
Each method is best for different products and quantities; the engineers at Xometry can advise you as to which one to use.
According to Xometry, most products ship within one day. You can use it for rapid prototyping or low-volume manufacturing.
In addition, you can use Xometry for high volume manufacturing, with most orders shipping in 1-15 days. Xometry claims that 70 percent of the Fortune 500 companies use its services and that it serves over 34,000 customers overall.
Still, there are no minimums, you can order just a single item if you wish.
Xometry offers free shipping on all US orders, unlike some other services that charge a shipping fee. A shipping fee, even a small one of $4 or so, can seriously eat into your profits if you are running an eCommerce business based on a 3D print on demand model.
5. Sybridge
Sybridge Technologies offers full 3D print on demand through its SyBridge Digital Platform, specifically the SyBridge On-Demand application.
After acquiring Fast Radius, Sybridge combined both companies’ capabilities into a streamlined workflow where you upload a CAD file and receive instant quotes for additive manufacturing, CNC machining, and injection molding.
For 3D printing, SyBridge supports Carbon® Digital Light Synthesis, HP Multi Jet Fusion, Stratasys FDM, and SLA. That covers everything from elastomers and foam alternatives to rigid engineering plastics.
With 60+ materials available, you can order single prototypes or scale to high-volume production of end-use parts. SyBridge calls itself North America’s fastest-growing 3D printing production manufacturer, with the #1 capacity for high-volume DLS elastomer parts.
What sets it apart is the pairing of scale with engineering support. SyBridge Studio, the AI-powered design tool in the platform, runs DFM checks, flags issues, and suggests cost optimizations before you print.
Expert engineers then help select the right process, optimize geometries, and plan for production. Global reach includes 17 locations across North America, Europe, and Asia, giving localized program management and faster logistics.
SyBridge On-Demand functions as both a prototyping hub and a production partner. It’s built for companies moving from design validation straight into scaled additive manufacturing.
Also Read: Best Print On Demand Sites T-shirt Companies
6. Makers Portal
Makers Portal offers straightforward, small-batch 3D print on demand for makers and engineers.
Pricing is transparent: $0.35 per gram of PLA with a $5 minimum order plus $4 shipping. They print on an Ender 3 Pro and Ender 5, limiting build volumes to 220x220x250 mm and 220x220x300 mm respectively.
Standard colors are black, white, and gray PLA. To order, you attach an.stl file with specifications and they return a custom quote.
While currently marked sold out, the service is designed for custom prototypes, functional parts, or replacement components without needing your own printer.
It’s a budget-friendly option for one-offs and short runs when you need quick PLA parts from a maker-focused platform.
7. Sculpteo
While Sculpteo only offers around 30 materials to choose from, it supports over 40 different file formats. In addition, it has no minimum requirements. You can print just one product or as many as 100,000.
Getting an online quote is quick and easy. Materials include plastics, metals, and resins, and there are over 75 technologies and finishes you can use.
Turnaround is just a few days. Sculpteo has facilities in both San Francisco, California, and Paris, France.
I liked its 3D Learning Hub, where you can learn about topics related to 3D printing, such as which CAD software tools to download and how to 3D scan with your phone.
To get a quote, simply upload your design file. Sculpteo has some tools to help you optimize your file before printing.
Check Out: Best Shopify Print On Demand Apps
8. Hubs
Hubs, now part of Protolabs Network, is a global online 3D print on demand platform that connects you to 90+ vetted manufacturing shops.
Upload a CAD file and get an instant, binding quote. Prices update in real-time as you change materials, lead times, and finishes, with shipping and customs included upfront.
It supports FDM for fast, affordable prototypes from 1 business day, SLA for visual models from 2 days, and SLS or Multi Jet Fusion for functional, end-use parts from 3 days.
All uploads are secure and confidential, and Hubs handles supplier selection, production, and quality control.
With ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and AS9100 certifications, it serves engineers needing everything from one-off prototypes to low-volume production runs.
9. Make XYZ
MakeXYZ is a distributed network of local 3D printing services that connects you directly with individual makers and small print shops for on-demand parts.
Instead of one central factory, you upload an .stl or .obj file and get matched with nearby providers who quote based on volume, material, and labor.
Pricing varies by maker, examples include €0.21–€0.22/cm³ for printing and €17–€24/hour for CAD design.
Materials commonly offered are FDM plastics like PLA, ABS, PET, Nylon, and specialty composites such as wood or sandstone, in dozens of colors including glow-in-the-dark.
Resolution ranges from 400 to 75 microns for professional-looking finishes. Many makers also provide 3D design help, modifications, or full modeling if you don’t have a file.
It’s ideal for prototypes, custom one-offs, and short runs where you want direct communication, fast local pickup, or personalized service from community makers.
Explore: Best Print On Demand Book Companies
10. Treatstock
Treatstock is another interesting 3D print on demand service, but instead of printing out your products itself, it serves as a directory where you can browse and select manufacturers.
You don’t even need a design to get started! Simply browse the available designers on Treatstock and enter discussions with one of them to get started with your project.
Once you have selected a designer, and they have created your design for you, you can send it to one of the manufacturers and get it printed. You can check each manufacturer’s profile and reviews previous customers have left to ensure you will be getting great service and a high-quality end product.
Remember to set the dimensions, colors, and other characteristics for your product.
Treatstock supports several file types, including JPG, PNG, OBJ, GIF, STL, and others. Delivery usually takes 5-7 days.
11. Stratasys Direct
Stratasys Direct is an on demand manufacturing service that also offers a 3D print on demand option. It offers six different 3D printing technologies, including laser sintering, PolyJet, and multijet fusion.
In addition, it offers several other manufacturing methods, including CNC machining, urethane casting, and injection molding.
Stratasys Direct is best for those who want to create a rapid prototype or need a very specific tool.
You can get an instant quote by uploading your file online. If you have a more complex project, you can chat with one of the engineers at Stratasys Direct to discuss it and see whether it is viable and what it would require.
Also Read: Best Shopify Print On Demand Store Examples
12. ExOne
ExOne provides industrial binder-jet 3D printing on demand through global Adoption Centers, specializing in sand molds/cores for metalcasting and near-net metal parts.
Sand prints deliver in 3-5 days for volumes from 1 to 1,000,000, while metal parts run ∼10 working days with full finishing options.
Beyond printing, ExOne offers OneCast engineering support for design, simulation, and pour supervision to ensure complex castings succeed first try.
It’s built for foundries, aerospace, automotive, and energy customers who need production-grade tooling and parts without traditional lead times or tooling constraints.
Wrapping It Up: What Is The Best 3D Print On Demand Service?
Shapeways is my top recommendation for 3D printing on demand.
It offers a wide selection of materials and production technologies to choose from, but it goes beyond that and removes several entry barriers you may face when trying to set up an online 3D dropshipping business.
With its design services and integrations with Shopify and Etsy, you can quickly start selling 3D printed products online, without needing to invest in inventory and warehouse space upfront.
