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3D printer jewelry youtube
Guide to Jewelry 3D Printing
Two techniques have historically defined jewelry making: handcrafting and lost-wax casting. Both techniques require significant technical expertise, are highly time-intensive, and mistakes in the process can prove expensive.
But today, digital design and 3D printing are primed to disrupt these age-old practices in a major way. Supplementing traditional processes with digital techniques such as jewelry 3D printing brings new possibilities in design and production to jewelers, as well as exciting new customization options for customers.
White Paper
In this white paper, learn how to cast fine jewelry pieces from 3D printed patterns and how direct investment casting, or lost wax casting, works as a moldmaking technique.
Download the White Paper
3D printed jewelry production augments the principles of investment casting, or lost wax casting with the advantages of a digital design and manufacturing process.
With traditional lost-wax casting, jewelry designers hand-carve the original pattern in wax, place the wax pattern in a mold to be burned out, and then pour precious metals like gold or silver into the mold cavity to create the cast piece. To achieve its final appearance, designers polish and finish the cast piece to shine.
With the digital workflow, jewelers use CAD software tools for jewelry design to create the models digitally and a high-resolution 3D printer to produce the 3D printed jewelry patterns that can then be cast in a mold. After burnout of the positive pattern, the process follows the same path as traditional investment casting. Thanks to the digital techniques, the need for time-intensive manual labor is reduced and the design itself is easy to preserve, modify, and recreate when needed.
Sample part
Curious to see our materials firsthand? Click here and we'll ship you a free jewelry sample part printed on our 3D printer.
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Until now, the complexity of the design and production process made customized jewelry an expensive privilege. With digital tools, however, jewelers have already started offering personalized creations as part of their basic service or as a value add. If you go to a jeweler today and ask for an engagement ring, often you'll have the option to customize a unique design.
3D printed jewelry try-on pieces drastically shorten the feedback loop between designer and customer.
Jeweller and customer can discuss the design together, and an hour later, the customer can hold and try on a real, physical model of the ring. In jewelry retail, on-site digital design combined with the speed of 3D printing has drastically shortened the feedback loop between designer and customer.
Moving from design to production is easier and faster, as hand carving a precious one-off is no longer a requirement. The try-on pieces can be tailored based on the customer’s requests, 3D printed again, and then manufactured with lost-wax casting, which translates to a considerable reduction in the cost of making customized 3D printed jewelry.
With 3D printing, jewelry designers are able to produce designs that would be incredibly difficult to hand carve in the traditional manner. Breakthroughs in castable resins are setting new standards for the quality available through an affordable desktop 3D printer.
3D printing jewelry patterns in Formlabs’ Castable Wax 40 Resin combines the smooth surface finish characteristic of stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing technology with precise print settings. Thanks to a precisely controlled laser, extraordinary design details—delicate filigrees, raised text, and detailed pavé stone settings—can be captured with amazing sharpness.
Stereolithography 3D printing can reproduce complex features that’d be difficult to hand carve.
With these long-established design restrictions now removed, we're seeing entirely new genres of design emerging from jewelers who digital capabilities in the US as well as in South Asia and Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.
Webinar
In this webinar, Patrick Diggins, our Jewelry Vertical Manager, will teach you how Castable Wax 40 can help you push the boundaries of design and production efficiency.
Watch the Webinar
Digital tools are not only making jewelry easier to customize, but also simpler to mass-produce designs.
Vulcanized rubber molds are used to produce wax patterns in quantity for lost-wax casting, but the “master” pattern is traditionally made from an investment cast, hand-carved wax pattern.
3D printers can produce master models that are used to form room temperature vulcanization (RTV) molds and even durable high temperature vulcanized rubber molds.
Directly 3D printed jewelry patterns can be used for room temperature vulcanization (RTV) and vulcanization of high temp natural rubber.
“With the quality that you can get with SLA 3D printing for printing these jewelry pieces, you can jump straight from the 3D printed part to a master mold,” said Formlabs' Jewelry Vertical Product Manager Amos Dudley. “The surface finish is already so smooth that it doesn't require very much finishing. You can use that as the rubber mold for creating the final wax parts that go into production.
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White Paper
3D printing with high-performance materials allows designers and casters to leverage digital technology in their production processes. Read now to learn how 3D printing can be used in the production of small metal parts.
Download the White Paper
When new technology is finally made available to the public, it usually comes with a high price tag and a complicated interface, restricting it to users with deep pockets and technical savvy. Previous generations of jewelry 3D printers required both significant maintenance and a skilled operator in addition to thousands of dollars of investment that limited them to the largest jewelry manufacturers and casting houses. Nevertheless, Dudley notes, “3D printing has become much more affordable, offering unique opportunities to independent jewelry makers.”
The lower cost and higher-quality jewelry 3D printing technology have made the digital workflow a viable method of manufacturing.
“In the coming years, we're going to see a growing trend in that segment, with smaller jewelers adopting these technologies and becoming less centralized,” Dudley said.
This shift to increasingly competitive independent jewelers will continue as the industry becomes more familiar with castable resin 3D printing. Historically jewelry 3D printing has been dominated by complex and expensive wax 3D printers. With affordable desktop jewelry 3D printers like the Form 3+, the technology is becoming available to more jewelers, especially smaller independent ones.
Interactive
Try our interactive ROI tool to see how much time and cost you can save when 3D printing on Formlabs 3D printers.
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Owing to the formerly high cost of large-scale jewelry 3D printers and the perceived barrier-to-entry of digital jewelry design, 3D printed jewelry, despite its potential, currently represents a relatively small fraction of the market.
Nevertheless, with increasingly easy to use and accessible jewelry 3D printers, the digital workflows in the jewelry market are poised for growth. Desktop stereolithography 3D printers are an important component in this expansion.
High-resolution desktop 3D printers, like the Formlabs Form 3+, have made jewelry 3D printing accessible for independent designers as well as large casting houses.
“SLA resins have a reputation for being cheaper, but also less functional than wax. At Formlabs, we're looking to break that impression with products that are more foolproof and eliminate some of the extra work that’s still present in the jeweler's workflow,” Dudley said.
New, easy-to-use materials like Castable Wax 40 Resin are easing the learning curve, leading to greater adoption of the workflow and the subsequent expansion of the market.
3D printed jewelry is not just a matter of technology. The newer cohorts of jewelry designers entering the industry have started education with digital methods, including training on 3D printers, as opposed to the traditional ones.
“They're going to be looking for the printer that really meets their needs,” Dudley said. “I think then we'll start to see more adoption as they take over from the currently embedded user base.”
3D printing in jewelry has a bright horizon. With the wider industry adoption of workflow techniques, the arrival of new generations of designers skilled in them, and the creation of new, more foolproof materials and hardware, we're seeing the stage set for a major positive disruption.
Request a Jewelry Sample Part
The best 3D printing YouTube channels in 2021
Many new 3D printing YouTubers run successful channels, and many 3D printing creators have grown tremendously – from a few subs to a few thousand in a few months, sometimes way more!
We spend a lot of time exploring YouTube and searching for great video content on additive manufacturing to create the most comprehensive list of 3D printing YouTube channels to date.
From 3D printer unboxing to filament reviews, 3D printing tutorials, how-to’s, live streams, and more, discover more on 3D printing with the channels below. We highlighted the super fast-growing channels with a little fire emoji (growth rate above 500% in terms of subscribers between March 2017 and September 2018).
List of the best 3D printing YouTube channels
| YouTube channel | Subs count (Sep’ 2018) | Growth rate** | Category | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I Like To Make Stuff | 2,033,244 | 70% | Maker | US |
| Barnacules Nerdgasm | 940,569 | 10% | Tech reviewer | US |
| James Bruton | 603,301 | 34% | Cosplay/props | UK |
| Naomi ‘SexyCyborg’ Wu 🔥 | 560,520 | 3119% | Maker | China |
| Punished Props | 363,008 | 114% | Cosplay/props | US |
| Maker’s Muse | 331,814 | 355% | 3D printing | Australia |
| Make Anything // 3D Printing Channel | 300,629 | 134% | 3D printing | US |
| RCLifeOn 🔥 | 285,293 | 591% | Tech reviewer | Sweden |
| 3D Printing Nerd | 258,855 | 225% | 3D printing | US |
| Thomas Sanladerer | 172,519 | 123% | 3D printing | Germany |
| 3D Print Guy | 131,052 | 374% | 3D printing | Canada |
| Uncle Jessy | 86,445 | 361% | Cosplay/props | US |
| Ivan Miranda | 77,732 | – | Maker | Spain |
| Gear Down For What | 65,043 | – | Maker | US |
| Tech3C | 47,557 | 99% | 3D printing | Australia |
| 3D Maker Noob 🔥 | 37,184 | 1254% | 3D printing | Malta |
| Jaidyn Edwards | 34,328 | 14% | Maker | Australia |
| Chaos Core Tech | 32,073 | 370% | 3D printing | US |
| CHEP 3D Printing | 25,410 | 69% | 3D printing | US |
| ModBot | 23,982 | 27% | Tech reviewer | US |
| 3D Printing Professor | 21,431 | 250% | 3D printing | US |
| Mold3D TV | 20,636 | 63% | 3D printing | US |
| The Hot End | 18,386 | 137% | 3D printing | Australia |
| PRINT THAT THING | 17,740 | 21% | 3D printing | US |
| DIY Engineering 🔥 | 14,943 | 514% | Maker | US |
| Hoffman Engineering | 13,295 | 91% | 3D printing | US |
| A Pyro Design | 13,091 | 224% | 3D printing | US |
| Richard Horne | 11,427 | 41% | 3D printing | UK |
| NeatherBot | 11,227 | 93% | Maker | US |
| Daniel Norée | 11,227 | 102% | Maker | Sweden |
| ProfDrafting | 10,637 | 130% | 3D printing | US |
| Kirby Downey | 10,609 | 7% | Cosplay/props | UK |
| 3D Print – Tech Design | 10,398 | 92% | 3D printing | Sweden |
| Nerdly | 9,991 | 340% | 3D printing | US |
| 3D Central | 9,716 | 55% | 3D printing | US |
| Joe Mike Terranella | 9,480 | 180% | 3D printing | US |
| FugaTech 3D Printing | 9,256 | 619% | 3D printing | US |
| Jimmy Shaw’s Tidbits 🔥 | 8,583 | 545% | 3D printing | US |
| Simone | FNTSMN | 7,952 | 6% | 3D printing | UK |
Mr. Crankyface | 7,441 | 153% | Maker | Sweden |
| Zbysek Pilny | 7,214 | 333% | Maker | Czech Republic |
| The 3D Print General | 6,723 | – | 3D printing | US |
| Desktop Makes 🔥 | 6,719 | 977% | 3D printing | US |
| That 3D Print Guy | 6,201 | 258% | 3D printing | Australia |
| JAT.MN | 5,769 | 80% | 3D printing | US |
| 3DprintedLife | 5,511 | 26% | 3D printing | US |
| Make It And Fake It 🔥 | 5,422 | 271000% | 3D printing | US |
| Print 3D Channel 🔥 5,406 798% 3D printing US | 5,406 | 798% | 3D printing | US |
| TashTech | 5,190 | 71% | 3D printing | South Africa |
| Novice Expert | 4,662 | 68% | 3D printing | US |
| Think Making | 4,662 | 160% | 3D printing | Honduras |
| Nillabean | 4,588 | 80% | Tech reviewer | US |
| doodaddoes | 4,581 | 33% | 3D printing | US |
| Andreas Hölldorfer | 4,336 | 29% | Tech reviewer | Germany |
| XYZAidan | 4,284 | 252% | Tech reviewer | US |
| 3D Print Everything | 4,125 | 261% | 3D printing | US |
| 3d Print Creator | 3,629 | 147% | 3D printing | Netherlands |
| Abuzz Designs | 3,605 | 127% | 3D printing | US |
| BusyBotz | 3,406 | -1% | 3D printing | US |
| D-Tech | 3,314 | 297% | 3D printing | US |
| Model3D | 3,301 | 114% | 3D printing | UK |
| Practical Printing 🔥 | 3,270 | 4709% | 3D printing | US |
| Bobot’s Trains and Maker Zone | 2,990 | 36% | Maker | US |
| PatchBOTS | 2,928 | – | Cosplay/props | US |
| Dream 3D | 2,916 | 60% | 3D printing | UK |
| TGAW | 2,909 | 27% | 3D printing | US |
| SparkyFace5 | 2,721 | 9% | 3D printing | Australia |
| Dustin Corbin | 2,589 | 82% | 3D printing | US |
| 3DPrintingEverything | 2,224 | 90% | 3D printing | US |
| Afro3dprinter 🔥 | 2,136 | 979% | 3D printing | UK |
| Jeremy S Cook | 1,931 | – | Maker | US |
| Maker Hacks | 1,760 | 144% | Maker | US |
| NolanC 3DPrint Works | 1,589 | 109% | 3D printing | US |
| N Squared | 1,589 | 116% | 3D printing | US |
| Improper Engineering | 1,219 | 357% | 3D printing | US |
| 3D Printing Lab | 1,212 | 77% | 3D printing | US |
| How I Do It 🔥 | 1,054 | 1251% | Maker | US |
| Extruder Joe | 1,044 | 83% | 3D printing | US |
| 3DWithUs | 1,034 | 240% | 3D printing | UK |
| Agustin Flowalistik 🔥 | 1,029 | 586% | 3D printing | Spain |
| Potent Printables | 834 | – | Maker | US |
| Three-Dee Kid 🔥 | 801 | 685% | 3D printing | UK |
| Cat 🔥 | 581 | 976% | 3D printing | Liechtenstein |
| Disrupt It Yourself | 570 | 153% | 3D printing | US |
*Number of channel subscribers as of September 13, 2018
** Growth rate of the channel between March 2017 and September 2018
This list of 3D printing-related YouTube channels aims not to rank them by quality but to provide a comprehensive overview of the 3D printing landscape on YouTube.
And also to give visibility to smaller 3D printing channels and help you find some great video content!
A selection of great 3D printing channels on YouTube
Make Anything // 3D Printing Channel
- Creator name: Devin Montes
- Country: United States
- Most popular video: Ambiguous Cylinder Illusion // How it Works
- Patreon: You can support Devin on Patreon by clicking here.
Make Anything is the biggest YouTube channel specialized in 3D printing. In his videos, Devin builds fun 3D printed objects and also gives useful 3D printing tips. Devin’s videos often have the potential to become viral and appeal to watchers way beyond the 3D printing community. Devin loves to use optical illusions and tricks to make visually striking 3D printing videos such as his famous Super Satisfying Twist Containers.
Thomas Sanladerer
- Country: Germany
- Most popular video: 3D printing guides: Setting up auto bed tramming leveling tilt compensation!
- Patreon: If you like his videos, you can support Thomas on Patreon by clicking here.
Tom is among the most popular 3D printing YouTube creators and there is a reason for that. His channel is a healthy mix of useful tips, in-depth tutorials, as well as balanced and thorough reviews. The German YouTube star also loves to test the limits of the 3D printers he reviews, for example by carrying out experiments such as in this awesome “Destructive testing: which 3D prints are bulletproof?” video. Tom’s channel is rather “serious”: you won’t find here clickbait/viral videos but researched, well-produced and insightful content. That’s actually what we love!
Thomas Sanladerer3D Printing Nerd
- Creator name: Joel Telling
- Country: United States
- Most popular video: 3D Printing and Testing the Makerbot Coin Sorter
- Patreon: You can support Joel on Patreon by clicking here.
In the span of a few years, Joel became a fixture of the 3D printing community. His outgoing personality, infectious good mood, and relentless social media presence enabled him to become a great ambassador of the 3D printing community. On his 3D Printing Nerd YouTube channel, you can find all kinds of 3D printing-related content: from unboxings to trade shows visits, outstanding prints, and more, everyone will find something they love. In March 2017, Joel’s coin sorter video went viral, which boosted his channel overall, setting him on track to break the 100k subscribers’ bar in the coming weeks. An amazing and well-deserved achievement for one of the hardest-working creators on this list. To top it all, Joel often uses his huge social media reach to promote less established Youtubers. This guy is the best friend any 3D printing addict wants! What else can we add? Just one thing: #HighFive!
3D Printing NerdMaker’s Muse
- Creator name: Angus Deveson
- Country: Australia
- Most popular video: Hacking Vase Mode – 3D Printing Experiments
- Patreon: if you like his videos, you can support Angus on Patreon by clicking here.
Maker’s Muse is one of the most established 3D printing creators on YouTube. On his channel, Angus carries out in-depth 3D printer reviews and provides lots of useful tips and educational videos. One thing you should know: Angus has a thing for torturing 3D printers, not for the sake of it (we think!) but rather to push the machines to their limits. For example, he loves designing insanely complex 3D models of objects super challenging to print! Angus recently started focusing on resin-based 3D printers, making his channel stand out as the vast majority of 3D printer videos focus on FFF/FDM 3D printers. He also often puts dirt-cheap 3D printers to the test and debunks any phony Marketing promises. All in all, a must-subscribe to channel if you’re into 3D printing!
Maker’s MuseNaomi ‘SexyCyborg’ Wu
- Creator name: Naomi Wu
- Country: China
- Most popular video: Infinity Skirt Build
Naomi is a maker and web developer based in Shenzen, China.
Naomi is passionate about 3D printing technology among others she uses in her popular videos. She often visits maker fairs and trade shows in Asia, producing awesome and immersive 360° videos to show the rest of the world that Asia is also a hotbed with active local 3D printing/maker communities. Naomi is also one of the few voices defending minorities in the maker’s community. Be that the overwhelming domination of the white male demographic in 3D printing/maker media or the stereotypes attached to female makers, Naomi never lacks words to smartly bring people’s attention to these important topics – always respectfully and educationally. So don’t be fooled by her SexyCyborg moniker, Naomi is much more than that.
JAT.MN
- Creator name: Dustin Phillips
- Country: United States
- Most popular video: Do not Pre Order the TIKO 3D printer until you watch this video
Dustin, aka the Jatman, is a very active and rising Youtuber and 3D printing evangelist.
Despite being fairly recent, his channel is growing super fast, thanks to Dustin’s always thorough reviews and his overall 3D printing expertise. One thing that makes this channel stand out: the weekly live stream series “3D Printing Tonight”, a kind of late-night show where he discusses the week’s hot topics (check out the infamous Tiko videos!) and does Q/A sessions. Dustin is among the most involved members of the 3D printing community, with very active social media profiles and regular participation in events or guest videos. No doubt Dustin is on the right track to be a top 3D printing Youtuber, so get on board now and subscribe!
Chaos Core Tech
- Creator name: Garrett
- Country: United States
- Most popular video: 3D Printed Slimes [Slime Rancher] – Boom, Phosphor, Rad & Honey!
Garrett is a programmer passionate about 3D printing and making in general.
On his channel, he shares his tips to design and 3D print characters from comics, movies, or video games. From South Park Christmas tree characters to sword design tutorials on Fusion360, Garrett is never short of inspiration to create new videos and share them with his audience!
A Pyro Design
- Creator name: Travis
- Country: United States
- Most popular video: 3d animated Family Guy cool whip scene
- Patreon: you can support Travis in his mission to bring logos to life by becoming one of his patrons by clicking here.
On his YouTube channel, Travis shares insights on his process to create three-dimensional logos from 2D images. You can watch the whole process from the designing part to the 3D printing part. Travis often collaborates with other 3D printing creators to bring their logos to life or create insanely cool objects such as this retro Sonic the Hedgehog logo, with Chaos Core Tech.
Abuzz Designs
- Creator name: Lauren Renee
- Country: United States
- Most popular video: DIY Wall Ombre Painted Canvas
- Patreon: Lauren needs patrons’ help to be able to keep making awesome videos. You can support her by clicking here and contribute to her Patreon.
Lauren is a passionate designer and maker, sharing her passion on her YouTube channel with original videos such as tutorials to create Halloween costumes, gift cards, and even yummy-looking recipes. Lauren is one of the few very active women of the 3D printing community. She quickly managed to connect with many other makers, her always positive attitude certainly played a part in the success of her channel.
Abuzz DesignsCHEP
- Creator name: Chuck Hellebuyck
- Country: United States
- Most popular video: Metal Inserts on a 3D Print – Video #020
Chuck is a seasoned maker and 3D printing user with extensive experience in electronics.
On his YouTube channel, Chuck focuses on practical uses of 3D printing in his famous show called Filament Friday. You can, for instance, learn how to use 3D printing to repair a broken broom handle. Tired of printing useless plastic gadgets? Check out Chuck’s channel now!
Richard Horne
- Country : United Kingdom
- Most popular video: RepRap 3DR Delta 3D printer
Richard, also known online as RichRap, is a long-time maker and 3D printing user from the UK. On his channel, Richard focuses on quality over quantity: there are few but in-depth and highly instructive 3D printer reviews. As his nickname RichRap suggests, he is also very involved in the RepRap movement. A great no-frills 3D printing YouTube channel.
Richard HorneDaniel Norée
- Country: Sweden
- Most popular video: The OpenRC Truggy, A experimental 3D Printed R/C car
Daniel Norée is an award-winning Swedish 3D designer and 3D printing evangelist.
He also is the author of The OpenR/C Project and The OpenRailway Project, and the inventor of the famous Benchy. In his videos, Daniel provides guidance on how to build remote-controlled cars or drones using 3D printing. He also showcases nice 3D printed objects such as a snowball maker or wrenches. A great channel from one of the pillars of the 3D printing community!
3D printing on Youtube: trends and takeaways
There are MANY YouTube channels about 3D printing.
Since our last update, the number of 3D printing-related YT channels has grown sharply, showing how active the 3D printing community is. We now have 79 channels on this list, and many of them are growing really fast!
Live streaming is on the rise.
In 2016, YouTube added a live stream option and many 3D printing creators are making the most of it.
Often longer than regular videos, YouTube live streams are used for live unboxing videos but also to make innovative formats such as the 3D Printing Tonight show by JAT.MN.
The vast majority of 3D printing Youtubers are – surprise – white men. That’s a fact, and it’s becoming somewhat preoccupying, as diversity in media is always important (yes, YouTube is a media!). In terms of gender balance, we only list a handful of women with a 3D printing Youtube channel, and that’s not enough. Let’s not even get started on the overwhelming caucasian domination…
This hot topic is of course not limited to 3D printing and not easy to tackle but some voices are trying to make themselves heard, from Naomi Wu to the more controversial 3DPConfidential on Twitter. The diversity issue and lack of visibility for minorities in the makers’ community is definitely a hot topic that we hope will be addressed collectively in the future.
The brilliant @leahbuechley. @make then fixed "the problem"- by no longer releasing embarrassing demographic data. https://t.co/ljONAJ7DO7 pic.twitter.com/Wh5qrcmlkP
— Naomi Wu 机械妖姬 (@RealSexyCyborg) March 19, 2017
YouTube is a great (and free!) promotion channel for 3D printer brands.
3D printing companies are now using YouTubers to launch and promote their new products, by sending test units to prominent community members, sometimes flying them to events. Among the most successful 3D printer launches relying on heavy YouTube promotion were the Prusa i3 MK2, the Ultimaker 3, and the BCN3D Sigma R17.
Sending test units to 3D printing Youtubers can be a very efficient strategy when your machine is on point but can also backfire (ask the guys at Tiko or Tevo…). Best practices include building a friendly relationship with these Youtubers and the 3D printing community, ensure they have all they need to carry out the tests in optimal conditions, and address any issue or negative feedback which may arise.
Also, make sure your 3D printer is a great product!
Looks like the @bcn3dtech Sigma R17 season has officially started!
— Aniwaa (@Aniwaa3d) March 6, 2017
Can't wait to see what these guys think about it 😊 pic.twitter.com/jBpUbWYTWY
How to make money with a Youtube channel?
Advertising
The easiest way to monetize a YouTube channel is advertising: YouTube being a part of Google, it is very easy to start showing ads on your videos through the AdSense program. To earn money from views on your videos, you can show banners or video ads in your videos and generate revenue every time a viewer will click on an ad.
Affiliate programs
Many YouTubers participate in affiliate programs, the most popular one being Amazon Associates. Thanks to these 3D printing affiliate marketing programs, creators can earn a commission via special links.
If you make a purchase on the website (Amazon or others) using their custom link, the creator will receive a commission. If you want to support some of your favorites 3D printing creators while online shopping, just use their affiliate links usually found in the description fields below a video.
Another way to earn $$$ revenue or get free products through YouTube is to get sponsored by a brand or establish a partnership with them. In the case of 3D printing, 3D printers and 3D scanners brands can send you 3D printers or 3D scanners for reviews.
Starting a Patreon
Patreon is a global crowdfunding platform where content creators of all kinds can get sustainable income from recurring donations from fans. Many 3D printing YouTube channels have a Patreon where you can contribute with a monthly donation, starting as low as a few dollars.
Some of the most established YouTubers on our list can earn thousands of dollars each month thanks to their Patreon. Thomas Sanladerer, for instance, makes around $2k per month thanks to donations from his fans, thus providing more financial freedom to run his channel.
Joining a multi-channel network (MCN)
According to Wikipedia, “a multi-channel network (MCN) is an organization that works with video platforms such as YouTube, to offer assistance to a channel owner in areas such as “product, programming, funding, cross-promotion, partner management, digital rights management, monetization/sales, and/or audience development” in exchange for a percentage of the ad revenue from the channel”. MCN is now common in the world of YouTubers looking to monetize their channel, and several makers from our list have already joined an MCN.
If you’re looking to take your 3D printing YouTube channel to the next step, this could be the way to go.
No need to have tens of thousands of subscribers either, as MCN is not only focusing on reach but also on the engagement of the audience on high potential niches such as additive manufacturing.
Soooooo…. 5/10 of our top channels are #3Dprinting– Kill me? <3 U @joeltelling @THEJATMN @apyrodesign @pressreset @3DPProfessor @BINMedia
— Anthony Reyes (@BlindGaming) March 31, 2017
How to use our list of the 3D printing channels on YouTube
Subs count
Here is the number of subscribers as of September 13, 2018, 18 months after the last subs count we did in March 2017. This allowed us to calculate an 18-month growth rate for channels featured in this list.
Growth
This is the growth percentage of the channel, based on the evolution of the total number of subscribers over the past 18 months (from March 2017 to September 2018).
This growth rate gives an indication of which channels are growing fast. We highlighted the super fast-growing channels with a little fire emoji (growth rate above 500%).
Category
This time, we’ve decided to categorize 3D printing YouTubers to make the list easier to use:
- 3D printing: this is the main category, covering YouTube channels focusing solely on 3D printing and producing videos such as 3D printers unboxings, tests, tips, and general information about additive manufacturing.
- Maker: we regrouped here the channels of maker creators who regularly offer 3D printing-related content but whose channel is not fully dedicated to 3D printing. We thought it was interesting to expand a bit the scope of the list to see how established makers make the most of 3D printing for their projects.
- Tech reviewer: there are many tech reviewers with highly successful YouTube channels, and some of them have a knack for 3D printers! Why not include them here?
- Cosplay/props: this category covers creators and makers who use 3D printing to make cosplay, movie accessories, and props.
A very popular and active YouTube group with a nice overlap with the 3D printing community.
Country of origin
Pretty straightforward, because it’s cool to see how global the 3D printing movement has become (although most channels are still from the US).
Note:
For this list, we selected only 3D printing YouTube channels managed by independent creators. However, some 3D printing companies run great YouTube channels with instructive videos. For example, MatterHackers, a leading US reseller of 3D printers, produces lots of great content, from reviews to tutorials.
The different types of 3D printing YouTube videos
Tutorials
In tutorials, 3D printing Youtubers give step-by-step instructions on topics such as how to build a 3D printer in kit, how to improve your 3D printing techniques, and many more. You can also find 3D printing video tutorials on how to solve general 3D printer problems such as nozzle clogging.
Unboxings
Unboxing is a video where Youtubers unbox 3D printers, 3D scanners, or 3D filaments and share their first impressions with the viewers. 3D printers unboxing videos are quite popular and they usually cover every step, from opening the cardboard box to launching the first print. These videos are very popular on YouTube (not only for 3D printers!), as they allow viewers to share the thrill of unboxing a brand new machine and also provide unfiltered insights for potential buyers.
Reviews
For 3D printer reviews, manufacturers usually send a test unit to one or several Youtubers to get a video review and give exposure to their machine in the 3D printing community. Some creators also make reviews of 3D printers or filaments they purchased themselves, thus avoiding the potential conflict of interest.
Lately, a growing number of 3D printer and 3D filament brands have started to use YouTube reviews as a promotion channel, sending multiple 3D printer test units to influential channels and actively engaging with the community. Most YouTubers do not charge for a 3D printer review but they can sometimes keep the product for free.
Tips
In 3D printing tips videos, you will find ideas on how to solve a problem on your 3D printer or how to make some improvements to your 3D printer and your 3D prints.
How to become 3D printing Youtuber?
The beauty of YouTube is that anyone with basic video equipment can become a creator. To launch a 3D printing YouTube channel, you basically need a recording device, a 3D printer, and a good dose of motivation! Of course, if you intend to make tutorials or hands-on videos about 3D printing, having access to a 3D printer is a plus (some decent DIY 3D printers are available for less than $200).
Note that the most popular YouTubers not only use top-notch video and audio gear, they also have great video production and editing skills, which take a lot of practice to acquire.
Once you’ve started your YouTube channel, you want to build a following and promote it on social media so people can discover your work. The 3D printing community is very active on Twitter, Facebook, and 3D printing forums. To find the best places to promote your channel, you can check our article on the best forums, communities, and discussion groups about 3D printing. If you’re planning to launch your channel, let us know about it, we will check it out and add it to our list of the best YouTube channels.
3D printing YoutubersConclusion on the best 3D printing YouTube channels
The 3D printing community is a fast-growing and very active group. The number of YouTube channels specialized in 3D printing keeps growing every month and some of them are now becoming established brands with a large following and professional approach to what started as a passion side project.
It is great to see this branch of the 3D printing media landscape grow and structure itself!
We were the first website to provide a comprehensive overview and analysis of the 3D printing YouTube community and will continue to update our list of creators and publish updates. Stay tuned. And should you decide to open a YouTube channel, please contact us so we can add you to the list. You can give us your opinion on Facebook and Twitter.
3D printed jewelry - ideas
The technology of photopolymer 3D printing is rapidly improving and is increasingly being used in the jewelry industry. 3D printing in jewelry is no longer a rumor, but an established reality. Rings, bracelets, brooches, earrings of the most unusual shapes can be printed on a “magic” 3D printer and then cast from metal.
All you have to do is choose a 3D printable file online or create your own 3D model using a 3D jewelry design software like 3Design, MatrixGold, etc. The file is then “cut” into layers in a special slicer program, appropriate settings are selected on the 3D printer and printing is started.
You can read more about the technology, comparing it with traditional manufacturing methods, and application examples on our blog in the Jewelry Making section.
Examples of unique jewelry that can be created with resin 3D printing:
3D printed skull ring
Skull rings are a common fashion accessory. They are worn by both men and women, regardless of style and occupation. The symbol of the skull, as the infinity of life and wisdom of the ancestors, is one of the most common and ancient in the history of mankind. Traditional jewelry making methods require long and painstaking processing of small and intricate details of the ring. A 3D printer will print it out for you, like Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K or Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K.
3D printed flower ring
A flower ring is something that almost every girl wants to have in her collection. For many of them, this is a must-have accessory. Flowers come in different sizes and styles, small and large, thin and graceful, or, conversely, massive.
For 3D printing, you can use model or burnout resin. According to the burnt-out model, in the future, you can cast a metal decoration. The range of resins is very large, there are high resolution 4K and 8K resins for creating highly detailed models. Models shown are in Phrozen Wax-like Castable Violet.
3D printed anchor
Anchor pendant is an incredible piece of jewelry inspired by the sea. It has a special meaning for people close to the sea. The anchor is a symbol of hope, stability and confidence in the future. It is associated with a ship that has landed on its native shore.
3D printed tiger pendant
According to Chinese astrology, this year is the Year of the Tiger! This means that people all over the world will wear tiger-themed jewelry.
3D printed bouquet brooch
A brooch-bouquet is another fashionable decoration. Just look how delicate this brooch is.
3D printing did an excellent job with her intricate details.
Conclusion
With 3D printing, you can create an unlimited number of designer jewelry. You can create a one-of-a-kind unique decoration. The detail is amazing. At the same time, jewelry 3D printing definitely increases the production capacity of the enterprise. Many modern manufacturers are using resin 3D printing technology as a way to save time and money in the long run.
3D printed jewelry - an overview of the most interesting models
The days when 3D printing of jewelry seemed like something fantastic are over. Today, more and more designers are using 3D equipment to bring their ideas to life. Some printers work with filament, others use powder, and still others print with liquid resin or wax. 3D printed jewelry looks and feels exactly like traditionally molded pieces.
White and black Gemino & Orbis Nylon earrings printed in SLS nylon resin. The material has a very light weight, which makes the jewelry comfortable, ideal for everyday wear.
An interesting design will organically fit into both a classic and a shocking look.
3D printed wedding rings. Original custom-made symbols of eternal love accurately convey the details that are important for the newlyweds. With a unique asymmetrical line and elegant twists, Ray's ring will appeal to fans of the original designs. For lovers of clean, minimalist silhouettes, the Clio is the way to go. For connoisseurs of unconventional solutions, the Amar diamond ring will suit, the design of which forms a loose knot of two lines that merge, symbolizing an unbreakable union.
Gorgeous 3D printed face jewelry by Iris van Herpen. Cellchemy 3D printed jewelry designs look like a mask and the way it sits on the face of the wearer looks like something otherworldly. The wire masks are printed with a high resolution multi-material printer. Each part of the mask, custom-designed for a specific runway model, was created using a generative design process after a 3D scan of her face.
Guinness World Record-listed diamond ring. India's major 3D printing service provider Imaginarium helped Kotti Shrikant win the Guinness World Record for having the most diamonds set in a single ring. The process of developing a masterpiece called "Divine - 7801 Brahma Vajra Kamalam" went through several iterations. The design team chose the Himalayan camellia flower, which strikes the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary forms. Computer-aided design (CAD) was then used to calculate the number of diamonds. Imaginarium managed to make petals of gold and helped to set the intended number of stones.
18K Gold Charm 3D print by Elizabeth Landis. The spectacular pendant reminds of natural harmony and succinctly complements the luxurious look. Honeycombs are formed into an openwork pattern, and the figure of a bee symbolizes wisdom, diligence, purity.
Frog Ring 3D Gold Plated Brass Object by Peter Donders. The designer rejects classical forms and traditional solutions. He uses 3D printing to revolutionize the jewelry industry, be it in the areas of jewelry making or designing finishes. The frog ring emphasizes the grace, sense of humor of the fair sex.
A charming decoration that can effectively complement a creative look.
"Opposites" collection by Francesca Paolin "spring-summer 2015", printed in polyamide. The MA in Fashion Design from Domus Academy channeled her creativity into creating body jewelry from alternative materials using 3D technology. The author drew inspiration for the development of the collection from ancient history and culture.
Solar nylon bracelet. The Septem brand offers unique fashion items from designers around the world. All products are made on 3D printers. The customer can choose their favorite materials, colors, sizes from the list. The original bracelet attracts with its futuristic design and adds creativity to the image.
N-E-R-V-O-U-S necklace is a 3D printed necklace made up of 175 unique pieces. It is a 21st century piece of jewelry designed and manufactured using methods that did not exist until recently. The necklace is built in layers of durable yet flexible nylon using selective laser sintering technology. The design comes out of the printer fully assembled. The necklace attaches simply and securely with a hidden magnetic clasp.
Plumeria Nylon Earrings have a matte texture, ideal for original, bold looks. You can choose any color from 12 possible. Earrings with a floral pattern will appeal not only to young fashionistas, but also to elegant ladies.
