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Best 3D Printing Services

Advertiser Disclosure Updated: Mar 17, 2024, 10:18am

Best 3D Printing Services Of 2024

Katherine HaanContributor

Katherine Haan is a small business owner with nearly two decades of experience helping other business owners increase their incomes.

Katherine Haan

Katherine HaanContributor

Katherine Haan is a small business owner with nearly two decades of experience helping other business owners increase their incomes.

Contributor

Kelly MainStaff Reviewer

Kelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she is a Columnist at Inc. Magazine.

Reviewed

Kelly Main

Kelly MainStaff Reviewer

Staff Reviewer

Reviewed

Updated: Mar 17, 2024, 10:18am

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

The 3D printing industry is valued at more than $17 billion and it is expected to more than double that by 2026. There are many useful applications for 3D builds, from toys to prosthetics. But buying a commercial 3D printer is a big investment and learning how to use it can be time-consuming. So, if you don’t want to mess with the extensive setup required of having an in-house unit and leave it to the pros, Forbes Advisor has found the best 3D printing services to suit your needs.

Best Of

Show Summary

The Best 3D Printing Services of 2024

Sculpteo: Best for instant quotes
SD3D: Best for fast printing
Xometry: Best for free shipping
makexyz: Best for local printing
Hubs: Best for high-quality prints
3D Printing Ally: Best for prototyping
Autotiv: Best for small orders

Best for Instant Quotes

Sculpteo

API

Yes

E-Commerce Integrations

Yes

3D Model Direct Upload

Yes

Editor's Take

Sculpteo is one of the leading providers of 3D printing services. It offers a wide range of materials and technologies to choose from, making it a solid choice for those looking to create prototypes or end-use parts. The company has a strong focus on cutting-edge products with its professional operators producing high-quality parts.

Sculpteo also offers e-commerce integration and 3D model direct upload. This makes it easy to get started with your 3D printing project. To get started, simply upload your 3D file and select the material and finishing options you need. Your parts will be shipped from the company’s 3D printing facilities in either Paris or San Francisco.

Who should use it:

Sculpteo is ideal for those who need high-quality 3D-printed parts.

Pros & Cons

Receive a quote in minutes
Print locations in San Francisco and Paris
Wide range of materials and technologies

Customer service isn’t great
Some users complain of lengthy wait times for their shipments

Best for Fast Printing

SD3D

API

Yes

E-Commerce Integrations

Yes

3D Model Direct Upload

Yes

Editor's Take

SD3D is a 3D printing service that offers fast printing times and a variety of printing technologies to choose from. It has a full in-house design staff to implement your project and is geographically distributed to serve local areas quickly. Its automated direct-to-machine 3D printing network allows for quick turnaround times on large part orders.

In addition to 3D printing, it offers cast urethane production capabilities and mass production options. With this technology, it can take a mold of a 3D print and cast it in urethane, allowing for duplicating parts with a much faster turnaround time.

Who should use it:

SD3D is ideal for those who need fast 3D printing services.

Pros & Cons

Cast urethane production capabilities
Mass production options
It will beat any 3D print quote from competitors

More complex prints may require a custom quote

Best for Free Shipping

Xometry

API

Yes

E-Commerce Integrations

3D Model Direct Upload

Yes

Editor's Take

Xometry is a 3D printing service that offers a variety of high-quality 3D printing processes and materials. It uses innovative additive manufacturing technology to create cost-effective functional components out of more than 60 different materials. It also offers a variety of flame-retardant polymers that are perfect for aviation and aerospace uses.

Xometry is ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485 and AS9100D certified and backs every part it ships with the Xometry Quality Guarantee. It also offers free shipping from one of its many locations in the U.S. and Germany.

Who should use it:

Xometry is ideal for those who need 3D-printed parts that are high quality and backed by a guarantee.

Pros & Cons

Has an option for flame-retardant polymers
Ships for free
Offers its Go Green initiative to offset carbon

Some customers complain about delays with their orders

Best for Local Printing

makexyz

API

Yes

E-Commerce Integrations

3D Model Direct Upload

Yes

Editor's Take

The 3D printing service, makexyz, operates a little differently compared to others on this list. It pairs customers with 3D printers and CAD designers in hundreds of cities across the world. This allows you to potentially get your parts as soon as overnight. Think of it as Uber or Airbnb—you’re someone who needs a 3D printer, and makexyz can pair you with one.

It offers a variety of services, such as CAD designers, 3D scanners, CNCs and printing tools, and even offers discounts for universities. It uses materials such as PLA, ABS, nylon, TPU and high-detail resin. Soon, you can even order a chocolate 3D print.

Who should use it:

The on-demand service, makexyz, is ideal for those who need 3D-printed parts quickly.

Pros & Cons

Instant quotes
Printers in hundreds of cities around the globe
Huge variety of materials available

Speed of delivery depends on your printer

Best for High-Quality Prints

Hubs

API

E-Commerce Integrations

3D Model Direct Upload

Yes

Editor's Take

Hubs, previously known as 3D Hubs, used to operate similar to makexyz in that it brought home printers together with customers needing parts. However, it now connects customers with professional printers and manufacturers. Its global network means you can get prints in as little as a business day.

With Hubs, you don’t have to worry about getting stuck with low-quality prints. It guarantees quality according to ISO standards (its quality process depends on which materials are used) and will either reorder the part for free or give a full refund.

Who should use it:

Hubs is ideal for those who need 3D printed parts quickly and professionally.

Pros & Cons

Get prints in as little as a business day
Hundreds of 3D print manufacturers around the world
Quality guarantees

Its move away from a community-driven printing network angered the printers who helped build it

Best for Prototyping

3D Printing Ally

API

E-Commerce Integrations

3D Model Direct Upload

Yes

Editor's Take

3D Printing Ally is a 3D printing service that is best for rapid prototyping. It offers same-day pricing, live engineering support and fast delivery. If you’re not sure which materials or process to use, its engineers can help figure out which is best for your project.

It uses 3D printers that use stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modeling (FDM) and selective laser sintering (SLS) to create your parts. As soon as your parts are finished, you’ll get them within 24 to 48 hours, no matter where you are in the United States. And if you’re in the Minneapolis area, you can get parts the same day.

Who should use it:

3D Printing Ally is ideal for those who need 3D printed parts quickly and need help with choosing the right materials and process.

Pros & Cons

Staff will help you figure out which materials and process works best for your project
Fast shipping
Ideal for low-volume orders

Some customers complain pricing isn’t as competitive

Best for Small Orders

Autotiv

API

E-Commerce Integrations

3D Model Direct Upload

Yes

Editor's Take

If you’re looking for 3D printing services that offer a wide variety of materials and technologies, Autotiv is a solid choice. It has a team of experienced engineers who will help you select the best 3D printing technology for your project and make sure your part is manufacturable.

It offers SLS, SLA, polyjet, FDM, DMLS, CNC machining, urethane casting and injection molding services, so it can meet all your 3D-printing needs. It also provides low costs for prototyping and manufacturing work that is not expedited, so you can get high-quality parts at a fraction of the cost.

Who should use it:

Autotiv is ideal for those who need 3D-printed parts quickly and want a wide variety of materials and technologies to choose from.

Pros & Cons

Ships in as little as one business day
Instant quotes
Ideal for less than 50 parts

Only one facility

Forbes Advisor Ratings

Company	Forbes Advisor Rating	API	E-Commerce Integrations	3D Model Direct Upload	Learn More CTA text
Sculpteo	4.7	Yes	Yes	Yes	View More
SD3D	4.5	Yes	Yes	Yes	View More
Xometry	4.5	Yes	No	Yes	View More
makexyz	4.4	Yes	No	Yes	View More
Hubs	4.3	No	No	Yes	View More
3D Printing Ally	4.3	No	No	Yes	View More
Autotiv	4.1	No	No	Yes	View More

How to Choose the Best 3D Printing Service

To choose the right 3D printing service for your business, first, consider whether the service offers the capabilities you’re looking for. Services can run the gamut from fun and trivial toys or knick-knacks to life-changing medical parts, so you need to make sure the service offers what you need and at the caliber of quality that you need.

On top of that, pricing, fees and turnaround times should also be considered. After all, it doesn’t matter how great a service is if it takes too long to produce or if it’s out of your budget. It’s also worth looking at factors, such as customer support and satisfaction, whether any guarantees are offered, professional prototyping services and the location of the 3D printing business.

For example, a foreign service provider might offer more attractive pricing. However, it may also be subject to import taxes and tariffs, higher shipping costs and time as well as potential language and cultural barriers. These factors can quickly cause the total cost to jump and potentially lend to a more challenging partnership.

Methodology

To find the best 3D printing services, we looked at a variety of factors, such as print quality, turnaround time, price and materials. We also considered whether the company offered any additional services, such as design or engineering support. To narrow down our list, we only considered companies that had a reputable presence and could 3D print in a variety of materials. Then, we ranked the companies based on our findings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is 3D printing?

The term 3D printing refers to a method of converting a digital file into a three-dimensional solid item. Additive methods are used to create a 3D-printed item, which means it’s created layer by layer.

How can a small business use a 3D printing service?

3D printing services can be used by small businesses to create prototypes or small batches of products. 3D printing services can also be used to create marketing materials, such as 3D-printed models of products.

What are the benefits of 3D printing?

3D printing offers a number of benefits over traditional manufacturing techniques, including the ability to create complex shapes, the ability to produce small batches of customized products and shorter lead times. 3D printing also offers the potential to reduce waste and save money on tooling costs.

What type of materials are used for 3D printing?

The most common materials used for 3D printing include plastic, such as polyastic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl alcohol plastic (PVA) and polycarbonate (PC); powders, such as polyamide (nylon) and alumide; resins, such as those that are paintable and transparent; metal, such as stainless steel, bronze, gold, nickel, aluminum and titanium; carbon fiber; graphite; graphene; nitinol; and paper.

What are some of the reasons to use a 3D printing service?

If you have never used a 3D printer before, don’t have the space for such a printer or are unsure you want to invest in the technology, using a 3D printing service makes a lot of sense. You can try them out with a few small projects and, depending on how the projects go, continue with the service or invest in your own printer.

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Katherine Haan

Contributor

Katherine Haan is a small business owner with nearly two decades of experience helping other business owners increase their incomes.

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