3D Printing for Logos, Signage, and
Branding Purposes

3D printing is a better option than traditional methods, as it is a far more versatile medium. The versatility of 3D printing is the result of the design phase rather than the manufacturing phase. When designing a CAD model, there are minimal design limitations, and there is a wide range of materials to choose from.

Conventional methods, on the other hand, limit a company to the skill of the manual craftsman. This typically means that as a project gets more complex, it quickly becomes much more expensive. The window for creativity is therefore much slimmer if you have a limited budget.

Contrary to popular belief, 3D printing is a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods of creating branding materials. First, the machine costs of 3D printing go down as the complexity of the design increases. This is because the development and creation of complex parts and products take place in one step, which increases efficiency.

Labour costs are also lower with 3D printing as fewer people are needed for efficient production, contrasting the labour needs of traditional sign making. Each project requires a CAD designer, and a 3D printer needs an operator to start the machine, but beyond that most processes are usually fully automated.

Material costs can be relatively high if you are trying to print on your own. However, if you use the services of an established 3D printing company like JCAD that purchases 3D printing materials in bulk, you can benefit from our economy of scale.

Free from the creative restraints that traditional promotional manufacturing methods suffer from, 3D printing allows for complete creative indulgence. The designer of a 3D printed item is only limited by the laws of physics (and 3D printing).

If you utilize a traditional service, you can typically only choose from a select few items and designs. However, if you prefer 3D printing, you can make a rough sketch of any unconventional design you like. Chances are it will work well as a 3D printed sign or promotional item.

Many people have experience with costly errors in promotional or branded items. For example, receiving a thousand units of a promotional item with a misspelled business name can be incredibly frustrating, and it can waste a lot of precious time and money.

With 3D printing, the entire design as a CAD model is pre-approved, and chances of human error are eliminated. This method ensures that everything is done correctly, from the 3D printed letters to the measurements.

Traditional sign makers are typically not adaptable and able to make changes to order quantities at a moment’s notice. With 3D printing, however, additional items are easy, quick, and affordable to produce. Many businesses make use of the personalization that 3D printing has to offer, tailoring materials to prospective clients rather than having to manufacture all in one material.

There are many different 3D printing materials, each with unique characteristics, levels of durability, and application ranges. Materials that are commonly used for branding and signage include plastics like polylactic acid, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyvinyl alcohol plastic, and polycarbonate.

Other popular materials include powders like polyamide and aluminide and high-detail, paintable, and transparent resin. Carbon fibre, graphite, and nitinol may also be used for these applications.