--- title: How the Eyewear Industry Will Benefit From 3D Printed Glasses (2020) description: 3D Printed glasses are revolutionising how eyeglasses are manufactured and designed. In this article, we take a closer look at the technology for eyewear. image: https://www.pel-eyewear.com/hubfs/3d%20Print%20Glasses%201.jpg --- [![Precision Eyewear Lab](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/hs-fs/hubfs/img/pel_logo.png?width=271&height=247&name=pel_logo.png "Precision Eyewear Lab")](https://www.pel-eyewear.com) - [English](https://www.pel-eyewear.com) - [中文](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/cn/) - [Services](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/eyewear-supply-chain-compliance-solutions/) - [Eyewear Testing Services](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/eyewear-lab-testing) - [Sunglasses Testing](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/eyewear-supply-chain-compliance-solutions/eyewear-testing-product-types/sunglasses-testing) - [Optical Frame Testing](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/eyewear-supply-chain-compliance-solutions/eyewear-testing-product-types/optical-frame-testing) - [Reading Glasses Testing](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/eyewear-supply-chain-compliance-solutions/eyewear-testing-product-types/reading-glasses-testing) - 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Your data will be stored securely and not shared with third-parties. If you would like to manage your subscriptions please do so in the email that will follow. # How the Eyewear Industry Will Benefit From 3D Printed Glasses (2020) ![3d print glasses](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/hubfs/3d%20Print%20Glasses%201.jpg) Posted by [David Li](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/eyewear-testing-and-inspection-blog/author/david-li) on 24 March 2020 [3D Printed glasses](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/eyewear-testing-and-inspection-blog/3d-printed-glasses) are revolutionising how eyeglasses are manufactured and designed. A large number of eyewear manufacturers have adopted this layer-by-layer technique, primarily to differentiate their eyewear products from their competitors, bringing more innovation to their designs. However, 3D printing technology opens a new path for your eyewear company.  3D printing, in fact, is still in the stage of infancy. Yet, it holds tremendous potential for gaining profits and can produce massive opportunities for innovation. According to [the graph](https://www.3dnatives.com/en/3d-printed-eyewear-280220195/) below, the eyewear industry has grown by more than $2oo million, and it will be worth $3.4 billion by 2028. To add to this, its major growth lies in 3D technologies, which consist of high-level prototyping, most notably [material jetting](https://www.3dnatives.com/en/polyjet100420174/). This technology has several advantages, including but not limited to high resolution, smooth surfaces, and a wide selection of colours and materials.  So how will your eyewear company benefit from 3D printing technologies? Read on.  ## Benefits of 3D printing technologies for your eyewear glasses  **![3D Print glasses](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3D%20Printed%20Eyewear.jpg?width=700&name=3D%20Printed%20Eyewear.jpg)**   **Provides infinite design and aesthetic possibilities** You will have probably faced some manufacturing limitations that can cramp your style. With 3D printing technologies, you can produce complex, fluid shape structures that are either too costly or impossible to make with traditional eyewear manufacturing processes, namely injection moulding.  Thanks to this latest technology, you can enjoy a high degree of freedom to create unlimited designs for your 3D printed glasses frames, totally custom-made.    **Use fewer materials (environmentally friendly)** Did you know that more than 45% of eyewear frames manufactured across the globe are never sold? This can not only have a negative financial impact on a business, but it’s environmentally unsustainable too. With 3D printing technology, however, your brands will become more customer-centric; an excellent approach where you are matching to what users expect: tailor-made eyewear – therefore, resulting in less wastage.     [![eyewear supply chain ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2723474/7fcbe7d4-a9fa-4a43-a00d-a2f8483850eb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2723474/7fcbe7d4-a9fa-4a43-a00d-a2f8483850eb)   **Produce high-quality glasses ** Three main factors are considered when producing eyeglasses:  - Quality  - Resistance - Durability  Polyamide 12, referred to as nylon, is a common material used for 3D printing glasses frames. This material is well known for its high quality, resistance, durability, and provides a great degree of freedom for designing. In this regard, owing to 3D printing, you can produce superior quality 3D printed glasses.    **Increase your brand awareness ** With the advancement of 3D printing technologies, they will surely help you to get ahead of your competitors, ultimately leading to stronger brand recognition. From achieving unlimited possibilities of design to increasing your business profile, 3D printing technology is what you need to elevate your eyewear brand to the next level.    ## Companies benefiting from 3D printing technologies ![3d Print Glasses](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3d%20Print%20Glasses.jpg?width=1280&name=3d%20Print%20Glasses.jpg)   **Mykita Mylon** Customised 3D printed glasses first appeared in the eyewear industry[as early as 2012](https://blog.euromonitor.com/eyewear-3d-printing/). Mykita Mylon was one of the first eyewear manufacturers to utilise 3D printing to manufacture spectacle frames. In 2007, the company initiated the exploration of polyamide materials and the use of SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) to adjust them to your facial structure. Additionally, this company has won several awards associated with the lightweight and durable nature of its frames, in addition to its innovation.  **Boulton Eyewear** [Boulton Eyewear](http://boultoneyewear.com/) also heavily relies on 3D printing technology. It uses an upgraded version of printing technology – DLP (Digital Light Processing) – that consumes less material through customised production, thereby reducing costs and causing less wastage.  Overall, 3D printing may prove to be a game-changer. However, owning suitable 3D printing technology for spectacles is still regarded as expensive and, on top of that, you may face other obstacles when using 3D printing technology. As indicated above, nylon is the primary constituent used for printing. Nevertheless, this material is actually hard to control, in that the finish of the frames is rough (porous), unlike material that has a splendid finish, namely acetate. This is why acetate is still preferred.  Furthermore, the process of 3D printing is slow. Traditional injection molding is very quick and can produce 10/20 frames depending on the size of the tool and capacity of the mold. With a 260 ton mould, you could easily produce 10 frames in a 40–120 second cycle. But, irrespective of its rapid performance, it is not easy to change colours nor design freely without 3D printing technology. In a nutshell, 3D printing technology cannot replace the current manufacturing process for the time being as it takes a relatively long time to generate customised 3D printed glasses. Still, manufacturers will continue to explore further possibilities, and the technology will continue to improve by becoming more accessible and affordable in the near future. The truth is, if you want to be at the top of the game, you will have to give it a try and experiment.    *Do you have any experience 3D printing glasses, or know of someone making headway?* *Please feel free to share your comments with our readers below.*   *[![eyewear supply chain](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2723474/c62f8533-4e82-41af-811c-0737354fbf25.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2723474/c62f8533-4e82-41af-811c-0737354fbf25)* ### Share To Your Network - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### [David Li](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/eyewear-testing-and-inspection-blog/author/david-li) Mr. David Li, Manager, with over 16 years of experience in eyewear testing industry. Technical accessor of China National Accreditation Service. Trainer on Eyewear International Standards to Eyewear manufacturers. More Articles [by David Li](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/eyewear-testing-and-inspection-blog/author/david-li) ### Recent Blogs ![The Truth About Acetate Glasses Frames: Durability, Design, and Hidden Challenges](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/hubfs/Blog%20Post%20Images/August%20Blog%20Post%20Images/design_oxygen_a_photo_of_a_pair_of_acetate_glasses_on_a_wooden_aa761d3a_0c83_4203_a32f_8517f130a03d_1.webp) ### The Truth About Acetate Glasses Frames: Durability, Design, and Hidden Challenges Acetate frames have become a popular choice in eyewear, renowned for their exceptional durability, vibrant colours, and comfortable fit. Understanding what makes acetate frames unique, how they compare to plastic, their cost, and their durability can help you decide when choosing your next pair.   ![Achieving CBAM Compliance: A Strategic Guide for Eyewear Leaders](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/hubfs/LI%20Featured%20Image%20(5).jpg) ### Achieving CBAM Compliance: A Strategic Guide for Eyewear Leaders With the implementation of the [EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)](https://www.globalcompliancenews.com/2024/02/02/https-insightplus-bakermckenzie-com-bm-energy-mining-infrastructure_1-european-union-the-new-european-carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism_01162024/) in October 2023, achieving carbon neutrality has shifted from a voluntary commitment to a critical requirement for eyewear manufacturers targeting the European market. This new 'green tariff' initiative highlights the urgent need for brands to balance their carbon emissions with robust offsetting measures, directly impacting their market access and competitiveness. ![FDA Sunglasses Requirements: Guide to Importing Sunglasses into the US](https://www.pel-eyewear.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/An%20image%20of%20a%20pair%20of%20sunglasses.jpeg) ### FDA Sunglasses Requirements: Guide to Importing Sunglasses into the US A thorough understanding and adherence to FDA sunglasses requirements is crucial for sunglasses brands aiming to enter or sustain their presence in the US market. As Class I medical devices, general-use eyewear products such as reading glasses, ophthalmic lenses, and non-prescription sunglasses fall under the stringent oversight of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  At PEL, we ensure your eyewear adheres to all FDA certification requirements. Compliance not only fulfills legal requirements but also provides safety and reliability, setting the stage for a detailed look at these critical standards in the following sections. 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