3D printing, which emerged in the mid-1990s, is actually the latest rapid prototyping device using technologies such as light curing and paper layering. It works in the same way as ordinary printing. The printer is equipped with "printing materials", such as liquid or powder, which are connected to a computer and then stacked layer upon layer by computer control, finally turning the blueprints on the computer into real objects. This printing technology is called 3D stereoscopic printing.

In 1986, Charles Hull developed the first commercial 3D printing press.

In 1993, MIT was granted a patent for 3D printing technology.

In 1995, ZCorp, an American company, received only one license from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and began developing 3D printers.

In 2005, the Spectrum Z510, a high-definition colour 3D printer, was first marketed and was developed by ZCorp.

In November 2010, Urbee, the world's first car printed by a 3D printer, came out.

On June 6, 2011, the world's first 3D-printed bikini was released.

In July 2011, researchers in the UK developed the world's first 3D chocolate printer.

In August 2011, engineers at the University of Southampton developed the world's first 3D printed aircraft.

In November 2012, Scottish scientists used human cells to create the first artificial liver tissue printed on a 3D printer.

In October 2013, the world's first successful auction of a 3D-printed artwork called "God of ONO".

In November 2013, SolidConcepts, a 3D printing company based in Austin, Texas, unveiled a 3D printed metal handgun.

On January 16, 2017, technology company Bellus 3D can fully take high-resolution 3D photos of faces, which are 3D printed to create masks and real faces.

German sportswear brand adidas unveiled the world's first sneaker with a 3D-printed sole on April 7, 2017, with plans to start mass production in 2018 to respond to fast-changing fashion trends and produce more customized products.