9 Reasons Why You Should NOT Buy a 3D Printer

(Freepik)

So, you're thinking of buying a 3D printer. The internet’s hyped it up, your buddy won’t shut up about his Benchy prints, and you're wondering: “Is a 3D printer worth it?”

Here’s the thing, ometimes, it’s not. Owning a 3D printer sounds futuristic until you’re knee-deep in filament spaghetti, failed layers, and firmware updates. If you’re hoping it’ll magically solve all your making needs, you’re in for a wake-up call.

Before you spend a chunk of cash and desk space, here are 9 reasons you might want to hold off.

Some 3D Printer Problems You’ll Face

(Freepik)

1. You’ll Waste More Time Than You Think

Most people think 3D printing is “press print and done.” It’s not.

Even with a decent machine, you’ll spend hours dialing in your settings, re-leveling the bed, unclogging the nozzle, restarting failed prints, and reading forums to fix problems that shouldn’t exist in the first place. One miscalibration and your 6-hour print turns into a plastic spaghetti mess.

If you're busy or just want results without babysitting a machine? You're better off skipping the chaos and using a 3D printing service that delivers ready-to-use parts, minus the late-night tinkering.

2. Print Quality Isn’t What You Think

Sure, your feed is full of crisp, detailed prints, but they rarely show the three failed attempts that came before.

Unless you shell out for a high-end machine, your average desktop printer will struggle with accuracy, dimensional tolerance, and surface finish. Warped edges, stringing, layer lines, blobs—it’s all part of the game. And no, it's not just “beginner’s error.” Even seasoned users get inconsistent results.

If you're aiming for professional-grade output, outsourcing is often the smarter move. You get access to industrial printers without the five-figure price tag (or the headaches).

3. Hidden Maintenance is Relentless

Clogged nozzles. Jammed extruders. Worn-out PTFE tubes. Grinding Z-rods. Fans that die mid-print. Belts that lose tension.

These aren’t rare events, they're weekly maintenance chores. And if you don’t stay on top of them, your prints will fail or your printer will just... stop working.

For most people, this turns into a frustrating tech hobby, not a practical tool.

Quick tip: If you need parts printed reliably and don’t want to play tech support, it’s way easier to upload your file and let someone else handle the hardware. Online 3D Printing Instant Quote - JLC3DP from JLC3DP today!

4. You’ll Run Out of Useful Things to Print

Let’s be honest: how many phone holders and mini vases do you really need?

Most hobbyists quickly hit a wall, printing trinkets and fidget toys until the excitement fades. If you don’t have a project in mind (product prototyping, engineering parts, custom components), your printer becomes a very expensive paperweight.

Not sure what to print, but need something printed? That’s exactly what 3D printing services are for. Custom parts, short-run batches, prototypes, you name it. You don’t need to own the machine to get the benefit.

5. Material Costs Add Up, Fast

You think filament is cheap... until you burn through an entire spool on test prints and failures.

Then come the extras: support material, premium filaments for strength or flexibility, cleaning tools, spare nozzles, build plates, adhesives, and maybe even an enclosure if you’re printing ABS or PETG.

It’s not just the printer, it’s the ecosystem. And it adds up quickly.

If you’re printing once a week or less, it often makes more sense to order parts as needed instead of buying rolls of filament you may never use.

6. Noise, Heat, and Smell

Your desktop printer might look compact, but it doesn’t exactly blend into the background.

Most FDM printers rattle and whine non-stop. Heated beds pump out warmth, and materials like ABS stink up the room with a burnt-plastic smell. PLA’s less offensive, but still not "invisible roommate" level. Forget running it in your bedroom or shared office without annoying someone (yourself included).

You’ll need a dedicated space with ventilation, something most people overlook.

7. Software Isn’t Beginner-Friendly

Buying the printer is the easy part. Figuring out how to use it? That’s where people get stuck.

You’ll have to learn:

● How to slice a 3D file (and choose the right print settings)

● How to level your bed manually or semi-automatically

● Which STL files are printable, and which will waste your time

● What firmware your printer uses, and how to update it without bricking it

Even if you're tech-savvy, expect a steep learning curve. If you’re not? Get ready for a crash course in frustration.

8. Better Alternatives Exist

Most people who ask “should I buy a 3D printer?” are trying to solve a need, faster prototyping, custom components, or just creative freedom.

Here’s the truth: buying your own printer often isn’t the most efficient way to get there.

Today, outsourcing 3D printing is fast, affordable, and requires zero setup. You upload a file, choose your material, get a part in your hands, no maintenance, no failed prints, no wasted weekends.

And unless you’re printing every day, it’s way cheaper in the long run.

Still torn between owning a printer and outsourcing? Read our breakdown on In-House vs Outsourcing 3D Printing: What's Right for You? to see what actually makes sense for your needs and budget.

9. The Tech Gets Obsolete

3D printers age like smartphones.

What’s impressive now will look basic a year from today. Print speeds improve, resolution gets better, new materials hit the market, and suddenly, your “investment” feels like old tech. Then you’re back on YouTube looking at reviews, wondering if it’s time to upgrade.

Unless you're into constant upgrades, don’t lock yourself in.

Own the Results, Not the Printer

3D printing is powerful tech, but owning the printer? Not always worth it. Unless you’ve got the time, patience, and a steady need for parts, the smarter move is skipping the machine and going straight to the result.

That’s where we come in. Need a one-off part, prototype, or low-volume run? We’ve got industrial-grade machines, pro-level precision, and zero learning curve for you.

Get a free quote today and let us handle the printing while you focus on the big stuff.