The technology for 3D printing has been around since the ‘80s, but it didn’t see its boom until about 2012 when it clearly approached commercial level and penetrated public awareness.

Also called “additive manufacturing,” 3D printing involves creating new objects by adding a layer over layer of material until it achieves a predefined shape. It was mainly used for the slow production of specialty fabrics and little plastic objects mainly for the purpose of prototyping and for the limited production of small specialty products.

With technological innovation, today’s 3D printers can produce accurate, top quality products of various sizes at an acceptable speed and reasonable costs. They can easily copy complex structure in plastic, metal, and even biologic textures.

Benefits Of Using 3D Printing In Business

Visionaries see the great potential in using 3D printers. They can definitely predict some of the effects in different industries. You can get deeper insights on the matter by following discussions on blogs about 3D printing. Nevertheless, what are the main benefits of 3D printing that make it a valuable option for businesses?

Speedier, cheaper, and more flexible process of developing products
Lower investment in tools used in production
Product lifecycles are made shorter
More independence from returns to scale
A wider scope of possibilities in many areas of business

For the most part, at the moment, many businesses are tapping into the technology by creating 3D signs and using 3D printing for marketing campaigns.

3D Printing In Marketing

As mentioned, the possibilities of 3D printing are wide-ranging for various purposes. From novelty products to prototypes to bones and coral reefs, the technology offers successful solutions in a broad scope of fields.

The same is true for the marketing sector. As you can imagine, using 3D printing for promotional activities can bump your marketing campaign up to higher levels.

Including 3D printing in marketing efforts may seem gimmicky, but it’s certainly effective. More and more companies are attempting to use technology in their creative campaigns. This only proves that the idea works.

What Has Been Done So Far?

1. Volkswagen’s Polo Principle

In 2012, 3D printing was used in Volkswagen Denmark’s “The Polo Principle” marketing campaign. Via the company’s official website, people were able to use the same 3D printer that made the original car model to create their own versions of that year’s Polo.

The company ended up showcasing 40 3D-printed customized Polo versions in Copenhagen. Their designers were given the chance to take their models home, but one was allowed a step further and actually had his model made into an actual functioning, road-worthy Polo, which he could drive around for two months that summer.

2. Coke’s Mini-Mes

Israel is known for pioneering breakthrough concepts, coming up with new technologies, and optimizing existing ones. Coca-Cola Israel certainly demonstrated this by launching its Mini Bottles campaign in 2013.

Basically, it was a contest that involved a mobile app that allowed Coke drinkers to design 3D model characters that were mainly their digital counterparts; hence, the label “Mini Me.” They had to take care of their digital mini-me versions in a manner similar to Tamagotchi.

At the end of the campaign, the winners received their prize: a trip to the Coca-Cola factory where they were able to print out their mini-mes in 3D.

3. Nokia’s 3D Printing Community Project

Also in 2013, Nokia gave its customers access to a 3D printing kit, allowing them to create customized covers for their Lumia 820. In more of their promotion efforts at the Mobile World Congress, they also presented several bloggers with their own 3D-printed cases that were customized with their Twitter avatars.

4. DVV’s Key Save Service

Still in 2013, right after the initial boom of 3D printing technology, Belgian insurance firm DVV made business more fun by rolling out a service called “Key Save.”

Losing one’s keys is a universal malady that has struck everybody at least once. DVV, thus, introduced a service that allowed their subscribers to scan their keys and upload them to a secure server. The forgetful can then retrieve the file anytime they lose their keys, after which, they can go to a 3D printer to have a new set made.

This is not merely a promotional gimmick. Insurance companies actually lose money having to replace locks whenever subscribers lock themselves out.

5. Belvita’s #MorningWin Campaign

In 2014, Belvita also jumped on the 3D printing bandwagon and launched its #MorningWin campaign.

Fans were encouraged to tweet their morning victories, usually seemingly trivial stuff that gave them the power to start the day on a positive note. Winners got the chance to own their personalized 3D printed trophy as a keepsake to commemorate their morning win for posterity.

Leveraging 3D Technology

Besides these five, others have also since used 3D printing to promote their business or cause. The list includes British charity Barnardo’s, Oreo, and eBay.

3D printing technology is only going to get better as time goes by. It’s going to be quicker, more affordable, and generally more practical. So it’s definitely a good idea to keep your business open to the possibility of leveraging this technology, be it for marketing or any other type of business goal.

About the Author:

Pir Arkam is the Founder at Proto21 3D Printing LLC in the UAE. The company is dedicated to accelerating 3D printing and additive manufacturing adoption by providing rapid prototyping services with free consultation and delivering 3D printing training workshops. Proto21 has a solution for every phase of the product development cycle in all of the major industries.

Successful Plans To Consider For 3D Printing Organizations

3D printing is the eventual fate of printing. Picking it as a business can be a quantum leap for you. Regardless of the possibility that you have no clue about the 3D printing still you can test your hands at making a 3D modeling service or application. On the off chance that you appear like short in financing at that point don't worry, crowdfunding is the best answer for you and your business issue. More or less, there are a lot of ways that can enable you to blast through benefit in 3D printing innovation.

1. Make An Offer 3D Printed Gems, Home Furniture or Decorations

This first thought for a 3D printing business may be the most straightforward and even least demanding on the rundown. Yet, it requires a sharp feeling of style and a specific artfulness. The thought is straightforward: make a 3D plan, and offer it. With 3D printing, designers can make custom, exceptional adornments, accessories or decorates. These are wonderful, savvy, and attractive 3D printed products.

2. Open A 3D Printed Selfie Studio

You must be hoping to get in on one of the most blazing 3D printing customer patterns. Then you should think about beginning a 3D printed Selfie Service. Clients are 3D filtered to catch their individual and stand-out look, and after that 3D printed into fun puppets. There is a great deal of space for imagination.

3. 3D Print Custom Prosthetics or Assistive Gadgets

While 3D printed selfies are fun, the best business thoughts are the ones that take care of true issues. There is an immense need over the world for lightweight and practical prosthetics or assistive gadgets. 3D printing innovation has turned out to be the appropriate response. The potential outcomes inside the field are various. We've seen in the domain of 3D printed prosthetic hands, regardless of whether they be Lego-perfect, or hero motivated. There are additionally the zones of 3D printed wheelchairs, and custom 3D printed prosthetic spread.

4. Make 100% Personalized 3D Printed Blessings

Before 3D printing, modified blessings and knickknacks were constrained in degree, accessibility, or more all, affordability. Presently, 3D printing empowers organizations to create 1,000 exceptional items. From personalized 3D printed phone cases, to custom-fit 3D printed earbuds, to the whacky pattern of 3D printed hatchlings.

3D printing conveys standard business items to an unheard of the level. This will tempt more than boring, store purchased offerings. Simply recall the maxim, on the off chance that it can be 3D printed, it can be personalized.

5. 3D Modeling And Configuration Service

Before you can begin 3D printing, you need a 3D show, yet many at-home creators still don't have enough 3D modeling abilities, making the ideal market opportunity for a 3D modeling and configuration service.

A 3D modeling service gives custom 3D printable records to would-be-creators for a charge. As far as beginning your own 3D modeling business, you could either make a 3D modeling application, open a 3D demonstrate repository, or in the event that you are a 3D architect yourself, make a portfolio of outlines and show them to the world.

6. Offer A 3D Printing Service

Another straightforward 3D printing business thought is to purchase a 3D printer (or two, or ten) and offer a 3D printing service. Contingent upon how enormous you need to take this 3D printing business. You could either offer this service from home, do little 3D print occupations as an afterthought. You can also set up a whole, committed 3D printing service authority for clients.

There are many factors to contemplate, for example, what level of 3D printing you are prepared to do, what sorts of 3D printers and materials you will offer, and so forth. In any case, there is a gigantic interest for 3D printed merchandise at the present time, which means whichever approach you take, this could be a gainful business opportunity.

7. Push 3D Printing Instruction With A 3D Printing Course or Tutoring Service

3D printing is as yet an extremely specialty range of information, yet more and more individuals need to take in the abilities required with the goal that instead of outsourcing 3D printing ventures, they can do them themselves. On the off chance that you have this information, it's the ideal time to share it by means of a 3D printing class.

3D printing training can be offered either on the web, by means of 3D printing video tutorials, or you can offer hands-on face to face 3D printing courses. Instructing is compensating in each sense, and by turning into a 3D printing educator, either for people, youngsters and understudies, or even independent companies, you'll be helping individuals pick up a to a great degree valuable expertise while using your own.

8. 3D Print Limited Time Merchandise For Inventive Publicizing Efforts

Advertisers are always searching for the most innovative, exceptional, and intelligent approaches to achieve their intended interest groups, and 3D printing can give the ideal traverse amongst brands and buyers. A sharp 3D printing business could join forces with advertisers or specifically with brands to 3D print limited time merchandise, either to get huge media consideration.

9. Offer 3D Printers, Accessories or Supplies

Regardless of the possibility that you don't have involvement in 3D modeling or 3D printing, you can at present profit with an effective 3D printing business. Review your business aptitudes, and offer 3D printers, 3D printer accessories, and 3D printer materials for the deal.

Most 3D printer buys happen on the web, since there are not very many physical retailers offering 3D printers today, be that as it may in the event that you live in a range where 3D printing is coming well known, it could be worthwhile to set up a shop to offer personalized, up close and personal service. Instead of offering 3D printers themselves, you could likewise open an on the web or retail search for 3D printing fibers and accessories, since these are more affordable, yet dependably popular.

10. 3D Printing Repair, Maintenance, Troubleshooting or Assembly

Wherever there are 3D printers, there will be parts needing assembly, repair, troubleshooting, and maintenance. In case you're the kind of individual who appreciates dismantling small things and assembling them back, there is an enormous business opportunity this region since the majority of 3D printer purchasers either don't have sufficient energy, tolerance, or apparatuses required.

While this 3D printing business thought may not involve as much imagination as planning 3D printed gems, and it may not be as fun as 3D examining ridiculous 3D selfies, it is by and by a business that reacts to an undeniable need inside the 3D printing industry, practically ensuring a constant flow of work.