# Printed Ceramic Compounds This Innovative 3D Printing Material Rivals the Look of Handmade Ceramic By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-12-09 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinting-material References: [fastcodesign](https://www.fastcodesign.com/3065607/the-fast-company-innovation-festival/11-exciting-new-materials-designers-should-watch) & [tethon3d](http://tethon3d.com/product-category/products/) Just by looking at an object that's created with Tethonite, a ceramic compound 3D printing material, one would be hard-pressed to say whether it was made by hand or additive manufacturing. While 3D printing has been proved to be extremely advantageous for [rapid prototyping](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinting-resin), it often leaves objects looking raw, unrefined and in need of finishing. Tethonite sets itself apart in this respect; when the 3D-printed ceramic compound is fired and cured, it takes on the look of an object that's been carefully handcrafted using traditional techniques. The applications for ceramics and Tethonite go well beyond pottery. There are some companies in technology that are interested in the material because it's hard, luminous and when paired with other complementary materials, it can be incredibly resilient. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 77% | Activity: 36% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **High-quality 3D Printing:** Tethonite's ability to mimic handmade ceramics through 3D printing opens up opportunities for creating high-quality, refined objects. - **Advanced Ceramic Manufacturing:** Tethonite's innovative ceramic compound could disrupt the ceramics manufacturing industry by offering a new way to produce intricate and durable ceramic products. - **Integration of Materials:** The compatibility of Tethonite with other materials presents the potential for combining ceramics with various substances, leading to novel applications and materials engineering. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Ceramics Manufacturing:** The ceramics manufacturing industry could benefit from incorporating 3D printing technology using Tethonite as a way to improve the quality and efficiency of production. - **Rapid Prototyping:** The rapid prototyping industry could be transformed by the Tethonite ceramic compound, allowing for the creation of refined prototypes with the look and feel of traditionally crafted objects. - **Technology and Electronics:** The technology and electronics industry could leverage Tethonite's hardness and luminosity to develop innovative products that require durability, strength, and aesthetic appeal. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [3D-Printed Ceramic Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/terramound.md) - [Limited 3D-Printed Ceramic Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dyadic-series.md) - [3D-Printed Tiled Ceramic Archways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/delft-blue.md) - [Textural Porcelain Vessels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tamara-efrat.md) - [Sculpted Ceramic Lighting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mios.md) - [Innovative 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innovative-3d-printers.md) - [3D Glass Printing Methods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/complex-glass-structures.md) - [Algorithmic Ceramic Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/texture-ware.md) - [Patented 3D-Printed Bone Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/p3d-bone.md)