Things To Do Before Buying A 3D Printer

things to do before buying a 3d printer

A 3D printer is a wonderful tool that can be used for a variety of different reasons and purposes. While they were once relatively expensive and difficult to get in some cases, 3D printers of all shapes, sizes, and prices are readily available today. Whether you want to get one and start a business, or simply create things as a hobby, they aren’t difficult to find.

But before you rush out and buy a printer, there are some things you need to do first. These will ensure you not only pick up the right one but that your experience with the printer is a good one. Without any further ado, let’s go over some things to do before picking up a 3D printer.

Do Your Homework

One of the first things to do is simply do your homework regarding the available 3D printers. Be sure to check out resources like Printlitic to read reviews, and simply learn more about what each different model or type of 3D printer has to offer.

The more you know about the different options, the better you will be able to make an informed decision. If you simply buy the first printer you see, you may come to regret the decision if it doesn’t have a certain feature or function.

You also want to learn how to use these machines, the materials you need, the accessories that can help, and more. Don’t buy the machine until you know all that you need in order to use it well.

Consider Your Budget

Another thing you need to do is think of how much you have to spend on a 3D printer. These printers come in at various price points, with some costing as little as a few hundred dollars, while others will cost tens of thousands of dollars.

While you might want a top-of-the-line option, your budget may not allow for it. Look at your finances as a whole, and see how much you can comfortably spend and set yourself a budget. Don’t only think of the machine either, as there are accessories you may need to purchase as well. If you don’t account for these costs, you could find yourself in trouble financially.

Know How To Print Safely

Of course, you also need to know how to print safely before ever trying it yourself. There are various 3D printer safety rules that you need to keep in mind to ensure that you, your printer, and your home can remain safe.

This includes watching out for burns, ensuring your fingers don’t get pinched anywhere in the printer, minimizing the risk of fire, and more. 3D printers are incredible tools, but are quite complex and have a lot of moving parts, many of which can be risky if things aren’t done by the book.

The more reading and learning before first using the printer, the better. This research and education will help you be a more confident user and reduce the chances of disasters occurring.

In conclusion, we hope that this article has helped to show you some of the things you should be doing before buying a 3D printer.

About Brian: Brian Jackson is the founder of Shoestring Branding - a marketing and branding blog for entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on internet-based tools and strategies.