The Brief Guide to 3D Printing Jewelry

Though 3D printing is still regarded by many as a new technology, the method has actually been around since the early 1980s.

The technology was invented in Japan, proliferated throughout Europe in the following decade, and the first commercial 3D printer hit the market in 1991.

Today, you can 3D print almost anything—from pottery to houses. So it’s not surprising that jewelry designers are using the technology to create incredibly detailed body adornments.

Are you thinking of 3D printing jewelry for sale online or in-store? Read on to learn how to design, produce, and sell this unique product.

Designing Your 3D-Printed Jewelry

Traditional handmade jewelry is created by designers cutting and welding pieces of precious metal together or using the lost-wax casting method. Today, jewelers have another option; they can digitally design their jewelry pieces and bring them to life using a 3D printer.

To create your design, you need to invest in some CAD software. There are many programs made specifically for jewelry design—enter “jewelry design CAD software” into a Google search to find them or see software options here.

Printing Your Jewelry Designs

Once you’ve finalized the designs for your custom jewelry 3D prints, you’ll need to get them printed. You have two options: outsourcing the printing work to a 3D printing business or purchasing a 3D printer.

Outsourcing a 3D Printer

Outsourcing is a good option for people testing the waters of a 3D-printed jewelry career.

Because you’re just starting out, you might not have the funds to invest in your own printer. You can, however, outsource printing in batches, making a profit every time you sell a new collection and using that money to fund the next round of printing.

Before selecting an outsourcing company to work with, consider these questions:

• What’s the cost of their printing services?
• What are the turnaround times?
• What volume of product do you think you’ll produce (and sell) each month?
• What range of resolutions is offered by the printer?

Try to contact at least three printers and compare and contrast their service offerings before deciding who to work with.

Buying a 3D Printer

If your jewelry business is in a position to buy a printer, don’t rush into this decision. There are a lot of models on the market today, each with its own unique specifications and price points.

Every jeweler needs to balance three factors when buying a 3D printer:

• Resolution
• Speed
• Cost

Higher-resolution printers are typically more expensive but slower since they produce jewelry with finer details. But if you’re working with simple designs and need a quick turnaround, a lower resolution (and often cheaper) printer may work.

3D Printing Jewelry Your Customers Will Love

Whether you’re designing and 3D printing jewelry yourself or purchasing ready-to-wear 3D printed adornments to sell to your customers, it’s vital to understand the 3D printing process.

This is an area of technology that’s ever-changing. Knowing how 3D printing works will ensure you make the right decisions on everything from choosing design software to which outsourcing company to work with.

For more product design advice, head back into our website and browse our other informative articles.