Behind the scenes

3D printers growing in popularity

27/3/2025

Translation: Katherine Martin

The 3D printer market is growing, with customers at online retailer Galaxus buying over a third more devices this year than in the same period last year. Meanwhile, the demand for accessories and filament is rising even more steeply.

Just a few years ago, 3D printing seemed to many people like a whacky vision of the future: «Eventually we’ll all be printing our own cutlery or new pairs of glasses when our old ones break!» Although we’re not quite there yet, sales figures published by online retailer Galaxus show that more and more people are buying 3D printers for their homes. And if you’ve ever used one to whip up a replacement for a lost Lego brick or a broken cupboard doorknob, you’ll understand why.

The upward trend made itself apparent back in 2024, with sales of 3D printers on Galaxus rising by 14 per cent compared to 2023. Demand for accessories grew by as much as 70 per cent in 2023, followed by 54 per cent in 2024. 3D filament was also highly sought-after, with customers piling up 30 per cent more filament on their print beds last year compared to the year before. What’s more, there had already been a 43-per-cent increase in demand between 2022 and 2023. In 2025, 3D filament sales are up 54 per cent compared to the same period last year.

3D printers are creeping out of the niche sector

Not long ago, it was mostly tech buffs who showed an interest in 3D printing. These days, more and more people are discovering the possibilities offered by the technology. From home-printed spare parts to personalised decorations to counters for tabletop games, 3D printing is slowly but surely finding its way into people’s day-to-day lives. Galaxus sells a high four-figure number of 3D printers every year.

«We have a variety of 3D printers suitable for different uses. FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printers work with plastic filaments that are deposited layer by layer. «They’re easy to operate and ideal for larger objects or functional components,» says Tom Cikursch, Category Manager at Galaxus. «Resin printers (SLA or DLP), on the other hand, use liquid synthetic resin cured by UV light. They achieve a really high level of detail, and are often used for miniatures or delicate components.» There are also SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) printers, which are used in professional contexts.

3D printers

EUR491,49

Creality K1C

3D printers

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Bambu Lab A1 mini

3D printers

EUR474,05

Anycubic 3d printer Kobra 3 Combo

3D printers

EUR491,49

Creality K1C

3D printers

EUR269,–

Bambu Lab A1 mini

3D printers

EUR474,05

Anycubic 3d printer Kobra 3 Combo

What is filament? And why is the market growing so strongly?

Filament is the most important material consumed by FDM 3D printers. They’re plastic wires available in various materials and colours. PLA (polylactide) is an environmentally friendly, easy-to-process filament, while ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is more robust and more heat resistant. Highly developed filaments such as nylon, PETG or carbon fibre-reinforced plastics offer even more stability and flexibility. The growing popularity of 3D printing is also reflected in the increasing demand for high-quality and specialist filaments.

How far away are we from the kind of 3D printing done in the HBO series Westworld?

Businesses increasingly turning to 3D printing too

It’s not just amateurs who’re investing in 3D printers – businesses are too. The technology is especially handy for prototype development, small-scale production and making models. Companies use 3D printing to manufacture components quickly, for product modifications or to reduce supply chain dependencies.

3D printer accessories: from spatulas to isopropanol

For a 3D printing project to be successful, you need not only the right printer, but the right equipment. In addition to filament or resin, you’ll need print bed adhesive foils, cleaning tools, spatulas, cutting tools and special adhesives to achieve the best possible results. Resin printers also require washing and curing stations to clean and harden printed components.

3D printers haven’t gone mainstream yet

Although the 3D printing market is growing, it still represents a small proportion of the printer market as a whole. However, the rising sales figures prove that the technology’s slowly but steadily becoming established. As more and more consumers are discovering the possibilities offered by additive manufacturing, companies are recognising its potential to save costs and boost efficiency. Even if 3D printing hasn’t quite reached the mass market yet, the stats show it’s gaining importance.

Are you already into 3D printing? Or are you planning to invest in a 3D printer? Let us know!

Header image: Sandsun / iStockphoto

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Daniel Borchers

Senior Communications Manager

Daniel.Borchers@galaxus.de

A soft spot for good series, loud music, science fiction and (second division) football. As PR Manager, I am available to answer journalists' questions about Galaxus and honest e-commerce.

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