5 Pros (and Cons) of 3D Printing

While 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) offers several advantages, its limitations must also be considered.

In this article, we’ll explore the top five pros of industrial 3D printing and the five key cons to watch out for when considering whether it’s the right solution for your business.

Pros of 3D Printing

Design Flexibility and Complexity

3D printing offers unparalleled design freedom, allowing for the creation of intricate geometries, internal structures, and lightweight components that would be difficult or impossible with traditional methods.

Engineers can develop complex parts with fewer constraints, enabling innovations in design and functionality. Additionally, 3D printing makes it easy to iterate designs quickly — ideal for rapid prototyping and producing custom or low-volume parts without additional setup or tooling costs.

Reduced Lead Times

When speed is crucial, 3D printing can significantly reduce lead times compared to traditional methods.

Parts can be printed and ready within hours or days, enabling fast prototyping, faster product development cycles, and just-in-time manufacturing for parts that need quick replacements or updates.

At MakerVerse, our 3D printing lead times start at just six days.

Cost Savings in Tooling and Low-Volume Production

Traditional manufacturing processes like injection molding often require expensive tooling and molds, especially for small-batch production.

No tooling is necessary with 3D printing, which reduces upfront costs and makes it more cost-effective for low-volume production or specialized parts. This flexibility allows industries like medical devices and aerospace to experiment with prototypes and custom designs without incurring large expenses.

On-Demand Manufacturing and Reduced Inventory

One of the major benefits of 3D printing is the ability to produce parts on demand, reducing the need for extensive inventories.

This is particularly helpful for legacy parts or those with low demand, as it reduces warehousing costs and allows for more flexible supply chains. Engineers and supply chain professionals can manage production based on real-time needs with platforms like MakerVerse rather than maintaining large stocks of spare parts.

Sustainability and Waste Reduction

3D printing is an additive manufacturing process, meaning it only uses the material necessary to create the part, significantly reducing waste. In a metal 3D printing method such as Laser Powder Bed Fusion (seen below), unused metal powder can be recycled. 

Unlike traditional subtractive methods like CNC machining, where material is cut away and discarded, additive manufacturing is more resource-efficient. This is a huge plus for companies looking to improve their sustainability efforts by minimizing waste and reducing energy consumption during production.

Cons of 3D Printing

Scalability for Mass Production

While 3D printing is excellent for small-batch production and custom parts, it struggles to compete with traditional methods when scaling up for mass production.

The cost per part remains high compared to processes like injection molding, where economies of scale drive down unit costs. This makes 3D printing less feasible for high-volume manufacturing.

Slower Production Speeds for Large Parts

3D printing can be relatively slow for larger components or more complex designs. The process’s layer-by-layer nature means that creating bigger parts can take significantly longer than traditional methods, such as CNC machining or casting, which can quickly produce large volumes once setup is complete.

For industries requiring large structural components, 3D printing’s longer lead times may be a disadvantage.

High Material and Machine Costs

Although 3D printing eliminates the need for costly molds, the materials used—particularly for advanced metal 3D printing—can be expensive. High-end metal powders or specialized polymers required for additive manufacturing are not always cost-efficient compared to the raw materials used in traditional manufacturing.

Moreover, industrial 3D printers can also be a significant investment, especially for metal or highly specialized systems.

With MakerVerse, you get instant access to the full range of 3D printers without investing yourself.

Material Limitations

Although the range of materials available for 3D printing continues to expand, some limitations remain.

Not all metals, plastics, or composites are suitable for 3D printing, particularly high-performance materials for aerospace or automotive applications. Due to their broader material capabilities, traditional manufacturing methods may be better suited.

Energy Consumption

While 3D printing minimizes material waste, certain types of 3D printing—especially laser-based systems used for metal additive manufacturing—can be energy-intensive.

For large-scale production, this high energy consumption may reduce the overall environmental benefits of 3D printing, particularly when compared to more established, energy-efficient traditional manufacturing methods.

Get Started with MakerVerse

At MakerVerse, we understand that every project has unique needs.

Whether you’re drawn to 3D printing’s design flexibility and rapid prototyping capabilities or require the scalability and precision of traditional methods like CNC machining and injection molding, we offer the full spectrum of manufacturing technologies to bring your project to life.

With our vast range of services, you don’t have to choose between one or the other—MakerVerse can help you decide the best approach for your specific needs, ensuring the most cost-effective, high-quality solution.