3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, originated in the early 1980s. In 1983, American engineer Chuck Hull created one of the first 3D-printed parts using stereolithography (SLA), a technology that solidifies resin layer by layer with UV light. He filed his patent in 1984, which was granted in 1986.
Initially used primarily for rapid prototyping, 3D printing has now become a true production method. It is used in the automotive industry, aerospace, medicine, architecture, tooling, and increasingly in the manufacturing of customized objects and everyday products.
And its development continues: according to the Wohlers Report 2025, the global additive manufacturing industry reached approximately $21.9 billion, with a growth of 9.1% over the year. Other analyses, using a broader definition of the 3D printing market, estimate it at approximately $30.5 billion in 2025 and predict it could exceed $168 billion by 2033.
The trend is clear: produce on demand, customize more, and manufacture closer to the customer. From decorative objects to technical parts, 3D printing now allows a digital idea to be transformed into a real object in just a few hours.
A technology once reserved for laboratories is gradually becoming a new production tool accessible to businesses and individuals alike.