3D printing is usually achieved using digital technology material printers. It is often used to make models in the fields of mold manufacturing and industrial design, and is gradually used in the direct manufacture of some products. There are already parts printed using this technology. The technology has applications in jewelry, footwear, industrial design, architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), automotive, aerospace, dental and medical industries, education, geographic information systems, civil engineering, firearms, and others.

Ordinary printers used in daily life can print flat objects designed by computers, and the so-called 3D printers are basically the same as ordinary printers, but the printing materials are somewhat different. The printing materials of ordinary printers are ink and paper, while 3D printers are equipped with metal Different "printing materials" such as ceramics, plastics, sand, etc. are real raw materials. After the printer is connected to the computer, the "printing materials" can be superimposed layer by layer through computer control, and finally the blueprint on the computer becomes kind. In layman's terms, a 3D printer is a device that can "print" a real 3D object, such as printing a robot, printing a toy car, printing various models, or even food. The reason why it is popularly called "printer" refers to the technical principle of ordinary printers, because the process of layered processing is very similar to inkjet printing. This printing technology is called 3D printing technology.

There are many different technologies for 3D printing. They differ in the way the materials are available and are built in different layers to create the part. Commonly used materials for 3D printing include nylon fiberglass, durable nylon materials, gypsum materials, aluminum materials, titanium alloys, stainless steel, silver plating, gold plating, and rubber materials.