# Mainstream 3D Printers Desktop Factory's 3D Printer By Ben Preiss | Published 2007-12-13 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printers-going-mainstream References: [online.wsj](http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB119742129566522283-G1XoCiuvBEry8m_z8rYTRZrawmE_20080110.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top) & [uncrate](http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/computer-peripherals/desktop-factory-3d-printer/) At $5,000 Desktop Factory's 3D printer isn't going to be on everybody's desktop anytime real soon but until recently 3D printers cost several times that amount. All of us can remember when flat screen TVs were a luxury item, so it won't be that all long before the early adopters among us are [printing out D&D figurines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/makerworld-cyberbrick). **Implications** - Incredibly, Desktop Factory Inc. has already recieved over 350 pre-orders for this $5,000 [3d Printer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapmaker-u1). So far a large chunk of these orders came from universities and small business, but the company expects that these printers could soon become common fixtures in personal homes as well. The day when 3D printers are as common as toasters might be closer than you think! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 82% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Market](https://www.trendhunter.com/market) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Affordable 3D Printing:** There is an opportunity for other companies to create affordable 3D printers for personal and small business use. - **Mainstream 3D Printing Market:** There is potential for a large market to emerge for the production and distribution of 3D printers to personal and small business consumers. - **Expansion of the 3D Printing Industry:** The rise in demand for 3D printers will lead to the expansion of this industry, creating opportunities for companies to supply printing materials, training and maintenance services. ### Who This Affects Most - **Consumer Electronics:** Consumer electronics companies can expand their product offerings by creating affordable 3D printers for personal and small business use. - **Manufacturing:** The 3D printing market can be integrated into manufacturing processes to create more efficient and cost-effective production methods. - **Education:** The use of 3D printers can become a common learning tool in universities, schools and educational institutions, paving the way for edtech companies to supply related software and apps. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Desktop Medical 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/einstein-dental.md) - [Plastic-Molding Benchtop Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/benchtop-injection-molding.md) - [Accessible 3D Wood Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digilab-3d20.md) - [Consumer-Grade 3D Wood Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shop-system-forust-edition.md) - [Personal Manufacturing 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bambu-lab-h2d.md) - [Consumer-Grade 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/k1-max.md) - [Entry-Level 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kokoni-ec2.md) - [Industrial-Grade 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lcd-3d-printer.md) - [Alternative Microfabrication 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/b9-creations.md)