the cost of 3d printing is coming down

5 years ago many people thought that the idea of 3D printing at home was a fantasy The printers themselves cost several thousands of pounds. Today the market has changed. We discuss whether the price of 3d printing has come down?

Price of 3d printers

The printers themselves have certainly come down in price. The current range of basic home 3d printers cost between £300 and £800. No doubt they will continue to fall over the next few years and it may not be too long before we see 3d printer prices at the same level as standard printers. Even the current prices make 3d printing at home a realistic option for small manufacturing companies as well as individual users. .

The price of 3d printing materials

The price problems begin when it comes to buying the materials used each time you want to print, much like replacing the ink in your normal printer. The cost of buying materials is still prohibitive for most 3d printing hopefuls. The filament that is used commands a premium because it is still a very niche product. The filament costs somewhere in the range of £50/kg which can quickly add up when using multiple colours. This is a price that is expected to drop significantly as demand for 3d printing increases and companies become more competitive. Like most technologies, as popularity increases and more products become available, the cost of 3d printing will come down even further.