From Cute to Combat: What’s Driving 3D Print Sales in 2025?

TL;DR:

• Dataset: CGTrader 3D print sales, June 2024-May 2025
• Highest demand: Art & Collectibles, Miniatures & Gaming, Fashion & Jewelry, Fantasy & Sci-fi, Cosplay & Props
• Fastest growth: Science & Tech, Military & Vehicles, Home & Interior
• Emerging opportunities: Romance & Events, Cute & Whimsical - low competition, steady demand
• Sales spikes: March-May, November-January
• Tip: All categories are growing - focus on what you enjoy the most. It’s easier to reach the quality buyers want when you love what you’re creating.

• Art & Collectibles: the leading category, contributing 20% of total sales and showing sustained growth. The data indicates this market is far from saturated, with diverse and broad demographic appeal. Creators can confidently continue to invest in varied art models - ranging from abstract sculptures to fan art - to capture ongoing and expanding buyer interest.

• Miniatures & Gaming. Miniatures and Gaming models have seen the highest sales volume increase among all categories. Gaming-related items are not only popular but demonstrate active, consistent growth. Sellers are strongly encouraged to explore or deepen their presence in this profitable segment, particularly focusing on tabletop games and digital crossovers. Consider modeling character miniatures, enemy sets, modular terrain, or game accessories - keeping parts well-supported and sized for standard tabletop scales to ensure easy printing and usability.

• Fashion & Jewelry. Jewelry has always been a strong category on CGTrader, with buyers knowing the marketplace for having the largest selection of 3D print jewelry models. In this analysis, we’ve grouped it together with Fashion, as the themes are very close - both focus on wearable, customizable designs and attract similar audiences. While Fashion and Jewelry has always shown steady demand, it began accelerating in early 2025, with consistent month-over-month growth. This trend signals rising consumer interest and increased purchasing activity, making it a hot opportunity for creators heading into mid-2025. Designers could focus on personalized pieces like name necklaces and custom rings, bold accessories such as statement earrings or modular sets, and event-specific items like bridal hairpins or themed jewelry. Unique, customizable designs with visual impact are key to standing out in this fast-growing space.

• Fantasy & Sci-fi. This category maintains a stable demand driven by dedicated, long-term fanbases. This community-driven market provides lower risk and lasting customer loyalty, making it a safe choice for creators seeking sustainable growth. Think of collectors, passionate gamers, tabletop enthusiasts, and cosplay artists. They might be on the hunt for intricate tabletop miniatures (mighty dragons, mysterious NPCs, adventurous heroes), elaborate cosplay props (space-age blasters, legendary swords, futuristic armor), fantastical terrains (enchanted forests, alien planets), or iconic character busts (wizards, heroes, villains). Add just enough magic or futuristic flair, and your creations could become collectibles.

• Cosplay & Props. This category continues to thrive thanks to a global community of cosplayers, convention-goers, and hobbyists. Major events like Comic-Con, Anime Expo, and Gamescom fuel ongoing demand for screen-accurate props, armor, and costume accessories - many of which are now brought to life through 3D printing. 3D printing empowers creators with precision, customization, and accessibility. High-quality digital design files allow fans to produce everything from detailed weapons and wearable gear to intricate replicas - either at home or through on-demand services - driving innovation and creativity across the cosplay scene. Although the market was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, it fully rebounded by 2022 and has seen steady growth through 2023 and 2024. Now in 2025, with the global convention circuit stronger than ever and digital fabrication tools advancing rapidly, cosplay remains a dynamic and fast-evolving space within the 3D design ecosystem.

Fastest-Growing Categories

These categories have demonstrated impressive recent growth:

• Science & Technology. Experienced a significant spike, moving from -3% growth in February to +27% in March. This shows a clear rise in interest for models related to science, innovation, and tech themes. Popular uploads include molecule models, lab tools, engineering parts, space equipment, and tech-inspired home or office decor. It’s a practical category with growing demand across education, hobby, and display use.

• Military & Vehicles presents a high-risk, high-reward scenario. With sales swings from a 20% monthly growth to a subsequent 12% decline, this category is sensitive to external events and trends. Sellers should closely monitor calendars, anniversaries, historical commemorations, and global events to strategically time their entries. Your customers here might range from meticulous model builders and history buffs to enthusiasts interested in precise replicas of military hardware (tanks, aircraft, warships), intricate diorama components, iconic vehicles from historical battles, or detailed scale models for hobbyists and collectors. Precision and accuracy are key, and attention to detail can yield a loyal following that appreciates historical authenticity.

• Home & Interior. While still relatively small, the Home and Interior category demonstrates significant, while somewhat unpredictable, potential. Recent data reflects increasing consumer interest, suggesting it could soon emerge as a major segment. Sellers interested in capturing early market share should test this category carefully, focusing on both aesthetic and functional prints designed for the house.

Quiet Climber with Steady Growth

• Romance & Events. Romance & Events is still a small category, but it’s been growing steadily - every single month since November 2024. That kind of consistency is a good sign, especially for designers looking to tap into emerging trends. The growth likely comes from weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations where people want something personal and unique. This summer, take a closer look at the events you attend, you might spot 3D printed vases, name cards, cake toppers, or custom decorations on the tables. It’s a fun little game: “I spy with my eye… a 3D print.” For 3D print designers, now might be a good time to try modeling simple yet elegant items for events. Things like personalized table numbers, ring boxes, floral centerpiece parts, or themed cake decorations. These aren’t flashy, but they’re useful - and people are clearly looking for them.

• Cute & Whimsical consistently exhibits steady sales growth. Although not a top-performing category, its reliability makes it ideal for new or smaller creators seeking stable passive income. When thinking of this particular audience, think of casual users, hobbyists, new creators, and print-on-demand businesses. They could be in search of chibi-style characters (such as fantasy animals, mini wizards, sleepy dragons and more), kawaii desk toys and figurines (smiling food, magical pets and similar), whimsical home decor (eg mushroom lamps, fairy garden furniture etc.), seasonal-themed characters (Halloween ghosts, Christmas deer etc). Design a cheeky smile on any creature’s face and you might get the needed attention.

So, what do cute chibi cats, wedding name cards, and futuristic lab gear have in common? They’re all helping shape the future of 3D printing this year. Buyers are browsing, printing, and collecting in more ways than ever - whether they’re prepping for battle on a tabletop or setting a whimsical scene on their bookshelf.

For creators, the message is simple: follow the numbers, but don’t ignore the niches. Trends come and go, but useful, well-made models - whether practical or purely for fun - always find their people. Keep your style, stay curious, and maybe try something outside your usual genre. Who knows, your next bestseller might just be a smiling mushroom lamp or a spaceship coffee table.

Happy modeling!