Discover how large-scale 3D printing saves time and cost, whether you're printing massive single parts or producing multiple components in one build.
If you’ve ever seen a large-format 3D printer in action for the first time, you’ll know it’s like watching a skyscraper rise from the ground, layer by layer. These industrial are impressive, and their ability to print full-scale parts and prototypes in a single build – with no seams and no assembly required - makes them crucial for industries needing larger components.
But, beyond printing large, single parts, these high-capacity machines are also designed for efficiency, allowing manufacturers to produce multiple smaller parts in one print cycle. This maximizes throughput, reduces per-part costs, and accelerates production timelines for industries that need multi-part batch production capabilities.
And yet, there are still lots of misconceptions. Some assume large 3D printers are too slow, too expensive, or only useful for oversized parts. The reality? They can be, in fact, more cost-effective, and more versatile than their desktop counterparts.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably asking:
This guide to large-format 3D printers aims to answer all of that and more.
A large-format 3D printer is exactly what it sounds like: A printer designed for large-scale manufacturing. But just how big are we talking?
Most industry experts define a large-scale 3D printer as having a build volume of at least 300 x 300 x 300 mm (12 x 12 x 12 inches). However, many industrial 3D printers go far beyond that, reaching over 1,000 mm (39 inches) or more.
Multi-part nesting refers to arranging multiple parts within the same build volume to optimize space, reduce material waste, and increase throughput. Which is why large-format 3D printers aren’t just for manufacturers looking to build big models and parts.
Large-format 3D printers don’t just make bigger parts. They also increase efficiency and production capabilities. Whether you need a single, full-scale component or multiple parts in one build, these machines provide larger print volumes, industrial-grade materials, and optimized workflows to meet high-performance manufacturing needs.
Not all large-format 3D printers work the same way. Different technologies impact part size, speed, material compatibility, batch production efficiency, and overall cost-effectiveness. Whether you need a single, large-scale part or high-throughput production of multiple parts per build, choosing the right technology is key.
For this article we're focusing on the Stratasys technologies and printers ideal for large part size 3D printing or multiple part printing.
Here’s that info, summarised for you:
|
Technology |
Best For |
Build Volume Range |
Material Capabilities |
Batch Production Capabilities |
Large-Print Capabilities |
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|
(Fused Deposition Modeling) |
Low cost, large functional parts, tooling |
Up to 900 mm |
Thermoplastics, composites |
Side-by-side part placement for mid-to-large parts |
Best for , single-piece components |
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|
(Stereolithography) |
Smooth, high-detail prototypes |
Up to 800 mm |
Photopolymer resins |
|
Great for large, smooth-surfaced prototypes |
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SAF™(Selective Absorption Fusion) |
Durable, mass production printing |
Up to 400 mm |
Industrial-grade thermoplastics |
Vertically stacked parts for max throughput |
Less suited for massive parts, better for high-volume small/mid-size parts |
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PolyJet™ |
Easy-to-use, simple operation, low maintenance. Unmatched multi-material and color parts |
Up to 500 mm |
Rigid, flexible, full-color resins, and materials for biomedical use |
Prints multiple detailed models with different colors/materials in one build |
Limited for large parts, excels at high-detail multi-material builds |
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We understand. Investing in a large-scale 3D printer is a big decision. Let’s clear up the biggest concerns:
1. Aren’t Large Industrial 3D Printers Too Expensive?
Large, industrial 3D printers can cost a lot up front, but when compared to traditional manufacturing methods, but they save you money in:
2. Is Large-Format Printing Too Slow?
Not anymore! Advances in scanning technology have significantly increased print speeds, and large build chambers allow you to print more parts in a single run.
3. Do Large-Format 3D Printers Require Too Much Maintenance?
Some worry that bigger printers mean bigger maintenance headaches. While it’s true that industrial machines require upkeep, modern self-calibration, automated material handling, and remote monitoring features reduce downtime significantly.
Our own large-format 3D printers come with automated maintenance tools and predictive analytics to prevent build failures.
4. Aren’t large 3D printers only useful for oversized parts?
Not at all! Many industries use them for batch production, optimizing the build chamber to print multiple smaller parts at once, increasing throughput and lowering costs.
This is the big question. It really does depend on what you want to build.
For example, 3D printing is more cost-effective for small batch production or prototypes. It also offers a very short lead time and makes it easy to create complex geometries or iterate designs quickly – benefits that can translate into significant cost savings and faster time to market for many businesses.
Large 3D printers are transforming what manufacturing industries can make and how quickly they can get to market. Here’s how:
Automotive and F1
Healthcare & Medical Devices
Ask yourself:
Choosing the right large-volume 3D printer depends on your specific needs. Here’s how Stratasys’ large 3D printers compare:
|
Printer |
Technology |
Build Volume (mm/inches) |
Best For |
Key Advantages |
|
FDM |
1,000 x 610 x 610 mm (39.4 x 24 x 24 in) |
Large industrial prototypes and tooling |
Large build volume, user-friendly interface, cost-effective for big parts |
|
|
FDM |
914 x 610 x 914 mm (36 x 24 x 36 in) |
Aerospace, automotive, industrial parts |
High-strength thermoplastics, certified aerospace materials, consistent accuracy |
|
|
FDM |
600 x 600 x 800 mm (23.6 x 23.6 x 31.5 in) |
High-throughput, industrial-grade production |
High production output, multi-color (4 extruders), minimal operational labor |
|
|
SLA |
800 x 800 x 600 mm (31.5 x 31.5 x 23.5 in) |
High-detail large prototypes |
Exceptional surface finish, fine feature details, large-scale master patterns |
|
|
SLA |
450 x 450 x 400 mm (17.5 x 17.5 x 15.5 in) |
High-detail large prototypes |
Exceptional surface finish, fine feature details, compact footprint. |
|
|
FDM |
406 x 355 x 406 mm (16 x 14 x 16 in) |
Versatile applications with 25+ material options |
Supports industrial to high-performance materials, ideal for demanding applications |
|
|
SAF |
315 x 208 x 293 mm (12.5 x 8 x 11.5 in) |
High-volume end-use parts |
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|
|
PolyJet |
490 x 390 x 200 mm (19.5 x 15.5 x 8.0 in) |
Multi-material, full-color prototypes. Clean environmental impact and sustainability. |
Realistic models, multiple materials in a single print, medical and consumer applications |
|
|
PolyJet |
490 x 390 x 200 mm (19.5 x 15.5 x 8.0 in) |
Advanced prototyping materials |
Engineering prototypes, product design, automotive |
|
|
PolyJet |
460 x 360 x 50 mm (18.1 x 14.2 x 1.9 in) on a stretch of fabric up to 2m2 |
Direct-to-textile 3D printing |
Fashion, automotive interiors, industrial textiles |
|
|
PolyJet |
490 x 390 x 200 mm (19.5 x 15.5 x 8.0 in) |
Biocompatible materials |
Medical training, surgical planning, device testing |
Prefer a visual comparison? Take a look at this graphic showing Stratasys printers by build volume.
If you’re serious about reducing costs, scaling production, and unlocking next-level design freedom, a large-scale 3D printer isn’t just worth considering – it’s essential.
And with Stratasys’ range of industrial large-format 3D printers, there’s a solution for every industry.
Ready to see what’s possible?
Effy Shafner is a dedicated content marketing writer at Stratasys. With a degree in electrical engineering and over a decade of experience in writing technical marketing content, Effy brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking to his work. He has published high-level articles on industry platforms, blog posts for company sites, and technical documentation. Prior to his current role, Effy worked on R&D projects focusing on laser measurement devices and authored a blog where he shared insights on measuring various aspects of lasers, as well as working on technical documentation in the telecommunications industry. Effy is always eager to learn, taking complicated topics and making them engaging, accessible, and easy to understand.
