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Learn about the unique values — and benefits — of bringing 3D printing and scanning into your custom jewelry business.

Today’s custom jewelry market moves fast. As 3D technology continues to transform how jewelers approach design, customization, and production in their everyday workflow, knowing how to integrate 3D printing and scanning into your business gives you a practical advantage. Whether it’s full custom design or refining your current process, digital tools bring efficiency and accuracy where it matters most.

If you're looking to expand your in-house capabilities, two 3D technologies stand out: printers and scanners. Each serves a different — but equally valuable — role in today’s custom jewelry design process. While they're often used together, understanding what sets them apart can help you decide where to begin or how to enhance your current setup.

Let’s take a closer look at the features of each, the advantages they bring to the bench, and how they can fit into your shop and custom jewelry business.

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that builds an object layer by layer from a digital file. For jewelers, a 3D printer — alongside the right software — gives you the power to bring digital designs to life, right in your own shop and alongside your customers. With the ability to print resin models for casting or prototyping, you can reduce turnaround time, cut down on outsourcing costs, and move faster from concept to finished piece.

What Can 3D Printers Do for Your Business?

Adding a 3D printer to your shop opens the door to more efficient production without sacrificing quality. Whether you’re creating intricate design elements or working with your customer on a restyle, 3D printing makes producing consistent samples possible — and repeatable if necessary.

Speed is another major advantage. Compared to traditional hand-carving or wax modeling, 3D printing significantly reduces production time, helping you keep up with custom requests and tight timelines. Plus, when you need to produce multiple castings of the same design, you can count on consistent results with every print.

For jewelers who want to validate a design before casting, 3D printing also provides a cost-effective way to prototype. Customers can see and approve a piece in hand, giving them confidence in the final product and helping you avoid costly revisions.

Ultimately, 3D printing empowers you to take creative risks, explore new design possibilities, and bring your ideas to life with digital freedom.

Key Considerations When Choosing a 3D Printer

Something to remember when exploring 3D technology: not all 3D printers are created equal. Before making an investment, it’s important to choose a model that fits your production needs, supports the right materials, and integrates seamlessly into your current process. Here are a few factors to keep in mind.

Print resolution: In resin 3D printing, resolution is measured in microns — the lower the number, the higher the resolution. That means finer detail, sharper edges, and more refined results. Just keep in mind that dialing up the resolution can also extend your print times, so it’s all about finding the right balance for your workflow.

Build volume: Build volume refers to the physical space inside the printer where your model takes shape. A larger build area gives you the flexibility to print multiple pieces at once or accommodate larger designs. If your focus is mainly on smaller-scale jobs, a more compact volume will suit you just fine.

Material compatibility: Make sure your printer supports castable resins specifically formulated for jewelry casting. Not all resins are created with burnout or surface finish in mind.

Ease of use: From setup to daily maintenance, your printer’s interface and software should be intuitive and well-supported, especially if you’re just getting started.

Explore Our 3D Printing Solutions

From 3D printers that specialize in speed and surface quality to those built for higher capacity, there’s a range of models to meet your needs — we’ve got them.

At Stuller, we offer carefully selected solutions from trusted brands, such as B9Creations^™ and Asiga^®, designed specifically for your jewelry production needs. Whether you're just getting started or scaling up, our teams can help you find the best fit.

Want a deeper look into the differences between models? See our comprehensive buying guide to decide which of our 3D printing solutions is right for you and your business.

What is 3D Scanning?

While 3D printers build models layer by layer, 3D scanners capture the exact shape and details of an existing physical object, converting it into a precise digital file. When you need to replicate a customer’s piece, repair a delicate design that requires a lighter touch, or customize an heirloom, this technology removes the guesswork of manual measurements and delivers accurate data ready to be imported into CAD software for further work.

What Can 3D Scanning Do for Your Business?

Think of 3D scanning as your digital “copy machine” — instead of spending hours measuring or sketching, scanning allows you to skip the time-consuming steps and go straight into CAD. You can modify the scan, make improvements, or create variations without starting from scratch. With 3D scanning in your shop, you gain a practical edge that offers greater accuracy and more opportunities to deliver personalized service in your custom jewelry business.

Key Considerations When Choosing a 3D Scanner

Adding a 3D scanner to your workflow is a smart move, but choosing the right one depends on what you need out of your 3D technology. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you explore your options. Adding a 3D scanner to your workflow is a smart move, but choosing the right one depends on what you need out of your 3D technology. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you explore your options.

Preparation: Before scanning, you’ll need to prep your piece with a specialized scanning spray that creates a matte surface by eliminating shine and reflection. This will allow your scanner to fully capture any shape and fine details. There are different types of sprays, each with their own micron thickness — the lower the micron, the better the detail capture. At Stuller, we use AESUB spray in-house for reliable, high-quality scans.

Scanning resolution: Similar to 3D printers, the higher the scanning resolution, the finer the detail.

Object size capability: Make sure the scanner you choose is built for the size and scale of the jewelry pieces you work with regularly.

Integration: Your scanner should work seamlessly with your existing CAD software to avoid any compatibility issues.

Portability and setup: Depending on your workspace, you may want a lightweight, movable scanner, or a more permanent setup that stays in place.

eLUXE3D PLATINUM 3D Jewelry Scanner

Capture fine details with precision and speed. Designed specifically for jewelers, this high-resolution scanner helps streamline custom work, repairs, and design modifications with accuracy you can trust. Shop now at Stuller.com/24-3000.

Tips, Tricks, and Helpful Habits

Use both tools to your advantage. Use your scanner to capture accurate details from existing pieces, then bring new ideas to life by 3D printing custom versions or exact replicas. It’s all about building a smoother, smarter process.

Choose the right resin for the job. Castable, non-castable, silicone — while there are plenty of resin options to choose from, start by thinking about your end goal, and choose your resin from there. See our guide for a full list.

Keep things easy to find. Organize your files with a clear, consistent naming system. It’ll save time when repeat orders come in or you’re pulling up past projects.

Take care of your tools. Like any tool or piece of equipment in your shop, a little maintenance goes a long way for your 3D technologies. Regular cleaning and calibration keep everything running smoothly and your output consistent and precise.

Training makes all the difference. Having the latest 3D technology is just the start. The real key is mastering how to use it with confidence. At Stuller, we’ve got you covered. We offer master training designed specifically for jewelers to help you get the most from your 3D printing and scanning solutions. Learn more and set up an appointment today at Stuller.com/DigitalTechTraining .

Power Your Process With Smart Solutions

Both powerful, complementary technologies, 3D printing and scanning work hand in hand to elevate how you approach custom jewelry and take things to the next level. From speeding up production to expanding creative possibilities, these tools open the door to faster, more precise, and more creative results.

At Stuller, we’re here to help you bring that vision to life. With expert support, trusted equipment, and dependable materials, we provide everything you need to build a seamless, scalable process — today, tomorrow, and as your business grows.

Need expert assistance in seeing which 3D technology is right for you? Stuller’s Tools Tech Team is ready to answer any question and guide you in your journey. Call our team at 800-877-7777, ext. 4300. For more resources on how 3D printing and custom manufacturing work hand in hand in your shop, check out this previous article: How to Bring Custom Design Manufacturing In-House .