From hobby to 3D printing producer: A multi-perspective analysis of entrepreneurial evolution in Romania
Florin Ștefan JINGA, Irina SEVERIN
Abstract. The evolution of Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printing has encouraged hobbyists to transition into entrepreneurs, creating small-scale businesses in resource-limited environments. This study investigates Romanian 3D printing producers, analyzing their activity models, technical capabilities, challenges, achievements and market positioning through survey data and interviews. Findings reveal that most producers operate as self-taught professionals, leveraging affordable printers (BambuLab, Creality, Prusa), PLA/ABS/PETG materials and social media marketing. Key challenges include unrealistic customer expectations, market saturation and financial barriers, yet some overcome these through niche specialization and hybrid manufacturing approaches. This research highlights factors influencing business sustainability, offering insights into growth potential and resilience of Romania’s decentralized 3D printing sector.
Keywords
FDM 3D Printing, Small-Scale 3D Printing, Hobby 3D Printing, 3D Printing Entrepreneurship, Limited Resources Business, Romanian 3D Printing
Published online 1/20/2026, 11 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Florin Ștefan JINGA, Irina SEVERIN, From hobby to 3D printing producer: A multi-perspective analysis of entrepreneurial evolution in Romania, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 61, pp 17-27, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644903995-3
The article was published as article 3 of the book Innovative Manufacturing Engineering and Energy
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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