Driven by technological advancements, rising exports and expanding application scenarios, China's 3D printing sector is entering a new phase of rapid development, as it transits from laboratories to industrial production lines and goes on mass consumer markets in a faster pace.

China's 3D printing sector registered rapid expansion in the first four months of 2026, with the production of 3D printing devices growing by 50.9% year on year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed.

In the past, 3D printing was mainly used for prototype verification and small-batch trial production. However, higher printing efficiency, better material performance and equipment stability, as well as lower production costs allow the industry to leap towards large-scale mass production.

"In recent years, the mass application of additive manufacturing (also called 3D printing) has increased significantly, gradually expanding from aerospace and high-end equipment to industrial fields including robotics and consumer electronics," said Xue Lei, an employee of a 3D printing company in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

"Thanks to higher equipment efficiency and lower material costs, 3D printing will further transform the industrial manufacturing landscape, playing a crucial role as a basic industrial machine tool," Xue said.

Beyond technological breakthroughs, the rapid growth in exports of consumer-grade 3D printing devices is also driving the overall output increase.

Data show that from January to April, China exported 2.46 million units of 3D printing equipment, up 100.3% year on year. Chinese companies have so far produced about 90% of consumer-grade 3D printers globally.

Experts say as the digital transformation of manufacturing accelerates and demand for personalized customization grows, the application boundaries of 3D printing continue to widen.