4 Essential Insights from AMFG’s 2019 3D Printing Service Bureau Survey

AMFG has released its inaugural State of the 3D Printing Industry Survey Report, capturing the latest trends in the additive manufacturing (AM) service provider market across more than a dozen countries. The survey offers a firsthand look at how this segment is performing today and its outlook for the next 12 months.

1. Education Gaps Are the Biggest Challenge for Service Bureaus

Respondents identified the most pressing obstacle as the lack of comprehensive understanding of AM among even large, industrial clients. While public awareness has risen, many customers still miss key distinctions between traditional manufacturing and AM, including the design requirements, technology options, and cost structures.

“Customers need to understand that for 3D printing to bring value to a product, it has to be designed for the process. It’s not just a case of using 3D printing to reproduce a part that was previously made conventionally.”

The survey highlighted a growing need for education on design‑for‑AM principles and realistic pricing expectations. As the technology matures, industry stakeholders—including engineers, designers, and business leaders—must share knowledge to unlock AM’s full potential.

2. Intensifying Competition Shapes the Services Landscape

Lower entry barriers, driven by decreasing machine costs, have spurred the emergence of more independent service bureaus. Simultaneously, hardware manufacturers and online manufacturing platforms are offering their own services, creating a complex competitive environment. While this competition can spur innovation, it also demands that firms remain agile, invest in new capabilities, and differentiate their offerings.

3. Consumer Goods, Automotive, and Industrial Goods Drive Demand—Unexpected Growth in Electronics

Our data shows that 77% of surveyed bureaus serve the consumer goods sector, followed by 75% in automotive and 73% in industrial goods. These industries account for the majority of revenue generation, with automotive, consumer goods, and industrial goods topping the list. Notably, 64% of respondents provide services to the electronics industry, reflecting the technology’s strong role in prototype enclosures and the emerging field of direct electronic component printing.

4. Polymer Printing Dominates, While Metal Printing Gains Momentum

Polymer technologies remain the backbone of AM services: 70% of bureaus offer FFF/FDM, 64% provide SLA, and 62% deliver SLS. Metal printing, though currently at 39%, is expected to grow as the technology matures and more firms acquire the necessary expertise.

Conclusion: Despite Competition, the Sector Remains Optimistic

Despite increased competition and challenges, 78% of respondents expressed confidence in the upcoming year, citing expanding use cases, rising customer awareness, and a steady revenue trajectory. The 2018 Wohlers Report estimated that independent service providers generated $2.955 billion worldwide in 2017—an increase of 36% from $2.173 billion in 2016—underscoring the sector’s robust growth.

Service bureaus will continue to play a pivotal role as AM evolves. Success hinges on agility, continuous innovation, and clear differentiation.

Download AMFG’s State of the Industry Survey: AM Service Providers

Download the full 36‑page report