Scaling 3D Printing: Makelab CEO Christina Perla Shares Insights on Building a Resilient Service Bureau

This interview was first featured in AMFG’s State of the Industry Survey 2019: AM Service Providers. Download the 36‑page report.

Christina Perla, co‑founder and CEO of Makelab, leads a New York‑based service bureau that delivers 3D‑printing solutions across consumer goods, architecture, and industrial sectors. With a balanced mix of FDM and SLA technologies, the company operates a fleet of in‑house desktop machines to meet diverse client needs.

In this conversation we explore the challenges of running a growing service bureau, the essentials for success, and Perla’s vision for the future of additive manufacturing.

Evolution of a Rapid‑Growth Industry

Drawing on her industrial‑design background, Perla notes that 3D printing began as a prototyping tool and has since expanded into full‑scale production, IoT development, and even bioprinting. “Every month a new technology emerges,” she says, “and the medical sector, especially dental and tissue engineering, is making remarkable strides.”

She emphasizes that continuous innovation is the lifeblood of any service bureau. “We constantly refine our machines and streamline workflows to stay ahead of the curve,” Perla explains. “Additive manufacturing requires a different set of tools and software than traditional manufacturing, so agility is key.”

Customer‑Centric Design and Operational Discipline

In Makelab’s early days, understanding the specific industries of its clients became a cornerstone of its strategy. Perla, a designer and engineer herself, stresses the importance of empathy and quality. “We start by listening to our customers’ motivations,” she says, “then we standardize processes to balance exceptional service with operational efficiency.”

“In the beginning, we often bend over backwards for clients, but that isn’t sustainable,” she cautions. “Standardization allows us to deliver reliably while maintaining growth.”

Competitive Landscape and the Power of Collaboration

As desktop‑printer costs fall, the barrier to entry lowers, intensifying competition. Perla acknowledges that many entrants start as makers before transitioning to a business model focused on scalability. “Collaboration, not competition, fuels progress,” she asserts. “By sharing ideas and resources, we can collectively raise industry standards.”

“A collaborative relationship is empowering and productive,” Perla says.

She warns that running a bureau involves risk—print failures, machine downtime, and production capacity forecasting. “We factor in these uncertainties to safeguard workflow continuity,” she notes.

Automation: The Catalyst for Service Excellence

Digitizing operations has been pivotal for Makelab. The company now uses integrated workflow software to reduce manual steps, eliminate SD‑card transfers, and minimize human error. “Our online portal lets experienced clients submit orders directly,” she explains, “while repeat or bulk orders are managed with the same streamlined process.”

Perla’s approach to technology investment focuses on scalability. “Adding more machines means more materials and software licenses,” she says. “We prioritize niche expertise over breadth, ensuring each new tool enhances our core capabilities.”

Looking Ahead: Adaptation and Expansion

Perla describes the market as “wild west”—uncertain yet ripe with opportunity. She anticipates that future bureaus will customize machines to fit specific business needs, leading to highly tailored setups.

For Makelab, the next phase is scaling. “After establishing a strong foundation, we’re confident to increase capacity,” she says. “Our focus is on delivering the same high quality at a larger scale.”

Learn more about Makelab at makelab.nyc