Plug and print: how 3D printing has gone mainstream
2.6.2026
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Galaxus sales figures reveal that 3D printers are selling better than ever before. At the same time, the market is shifting, with new devices working right out of the box and appealing to an increasingly broad audience.
Just a decade ago, 3D printers were hardly affordable for private individuals. Today, it's not uncommon for regular people to have one in their basement, garage or home office. The entry threshold is relatively low. You can find decent printers for as little as a few hundred francs or euros, and many of them work practically right out of the box. Tom Gebhardt, Category Business Manager at Galaxus and the man in charge of 3D printers, says: «The market has changed significantly in recent years. New manufacturers are adopting plug-and-play solutions that make getting started much easier. This definitely lowers the threshold for first-time users who don’t feel like spending hours on calibration and setup.»
Once you’re ready to start printing, there are millions of free printable designs available on platforms including Thingiverse and Makerworld. They’re full of ideas, from coffee machine parts to vases and wallets. If you prefer to get really creative, free software such as TinkerCAD or FreeCAD is great for designing your own models. New AI-assisted tools can even create print-ready 3D models from a simple text description.
At Galaxus, a sharply growing interest in 3D printers has been recorded in the first four months of 2026. Compared to the same period last year, the online retailer sold 59 per cent more of the devices. To put things into perspective, in the first four months of 2026 alone, Galaxus has already sold more 3D printers than it did in all of 2020. Demand for 3D printing accessories (+58%) and filament (+84%), which is the material used in 3D printing, is also growing rapidly. Every year, Galaxus ships tens of thousands of rolls to its customers. The fact that so much filament is being sold suggests that current owners are using their devices more and more intensively. This year is seeing 14 rolls of filament being purchased for every 3D printer sold. In 2020, it was still two rolls per printer. To put this into context, a standard roll weighs one kilo. Depending on the model, that’s enough to make 30 mobile phone cases or a palm-sized vase.
3D printer filament
−18%
CHF17.90 was CHF21.70
Creality Filament PLA Hyper, Black, 1.75 mm, 1 kg
PLA, 1.75 mm, 1000 g
Plug and print
For years, 3D printers required hours of calibration and assembly before they could be used. Today, a new generation of printers work practically right out of the box. This has shifted the power balance with Bambu Lab overtaking the previous market leader Creality for the first time in 2025. In the first quarter of 2026, Bambu Lab has already built a comfortable lead. Nearly half of all printers ordered are from Bambu Lab, while only one in four are from Creality.
Another notable trend is the rise of smaller brands. Filapen, a manufacturer of entry-level devices aimed specifically at children, saw its market share climb to 16 per cent in 2024.
Filament getting cheaper, printers more expensive (again)
Back in 2020, the average price customers paid for a 3D printer was 540 francs. By 2024, this figure had dropped to around 400 francs. These days, shoppers are willing to dig a little deeper into their pockets, it seems. The average sales price in the first quarter of 2026 was 490 francs. Meanwhile, the price of a roll of filament has fallen by about a third over the past six years – from 35 francs (2020) to 23 francs (2026). Tom Gebhardt expects the market to continue growing: «Filament prices have been falling for years, and the printers are becoming easier and easier to use. This makes 3D printing appealing to a much wider audience.»
More women joining the ranks
As recently as 2020, 3D printing was still dominated by men, who bought nearly nine out of ten printers. By 2024, the proportion of women nearly doubled, rising from 13 to 23 per cent. Since then, however, the numbers have stabilised. In other words, more women are using 3D printers, but the gender imbalance is still very pronounced.
A third of 3D printer orders are currently being shipped to people aged 35 to 44. Around one quarter of orders are going out to people aged 45 to 54. Together, these two age groups account for well over half of all sales.
Do you have a 3D printer at home? What do you enjoy printing most? Which brand do you like best? The comments section is yours.
Manuel Wenk
Communications Manager
Manuel.Wenk@digitecgalaxus.chAs a Multimedia Producer, preparing multimedia content and knowing about cutting-edge technology is my business. My main focus at digitec is producing videos. I can’t wait to try out new products such as cameras, drones or smartphones as soon as they’re launched. This is where being at the source comes in rather handy. When I’m not working, I’m probably skiing, biking or hiking – the mountains are my place to be.
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