Shenzhen-based desktop 3D printer manufacturer Bambu Lab published usage statistics on its WeChat channels summarizing activity during 2025 across MakerWorld and MakerLab. Notes included with the figures state that the company’s official statistics cover print jobs initiated through its cloud system by users in China. Data without separate attribution comes from MakerWorld, the company’s model-sharing platform.
One of the most consistent indicators of activity remains Benchy, a small boat model widely used to test printers. Bambu Lab reported that Benchy has held the top position in global print volume on MakerWorld for five consecutive years. Within consumer 3D printing communities, the model often serves as a first print for new users evaluating machine performance.
Search data cited in the report points to rising interest in the technology on Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform. Searches for “3D printing” increased 119% year over year. Queries for “3D printer” rose 238% during the same period, while searches for “Bambu Lab” increased 323%.
Usage figures published by the company focus on retention and printer activity. According to Bambu Lab, 83% of its users continue downloading models and printing one year after purchasing a machine. Combined print time across users exceeded 290 million hours during the past year. A comparison included with the figures states that a single printer producing the same amount of work would have needed to run continuously from the late Stone Age until 2025. Data in the report also indicates that more than 30,000 users operate their printers for over seven hours per day on average, while more than 130,000 users spend at least six hours printing each week.
MakerWorld data provides insight into what users produce most often. Categories listed in the report include storage tools, decorations, toys and games, miniatures, electronics accessories, vehicles, sculptures, office items, sports equipment, and printer accessories. Household models ranked as the fastest-growing category during 2025, followed by hobby and DIY designs and tool-related models. Examples referenced in the report include tissue boxes, pen holders, hanging ornaments, toys, decorative objects, and mechanical assemblies.
Creator participation across the platform has also increased. MakerWorld China recorded 280,000 creators uploading models. Bambu Lab reported that contributors publish more than five designs per person on average. Nearly 4,000 models have each been downloaded and printed more than 1,000 times.
Activity from MakerLab tools accounts for a large portion of newly generated designs. MakerLab, a system designed to produce printable models without traditional CAD workflows, had been used by 310,000 people by the end of 2025. According to Bambu Lab, these users generated 2.6 million original models, equivalent to more than 7,000 new designs per day. The company identified its lithophane generator as the most widely used function, producing around 400,000 models. Data accompanying the figures states that roughly one out of every six generated models on MakerLab is a lithophane.
Bambu Lab expands support for creators and connected manufacturing
Bambu Lab has recently introduced initiatives to strengthen the creator ecosystem surrounding its desktop 3D printers. Earlier this year, the Shenzhen-based manufacturer launched the Let’s Make It Fund, a grant program designed to support ambitious projects proposed by makers. The program offers funding ranging from several thousand dollars to as much as $300,000, along with technical guidance and promotional assistance. Submissions remain open without deadlines, and applicants are evaluated on originality, feasibility, and potential real-world impact. Participants are also encouraged to document and share their development process with the wider maker community.
Security and data protection have become increasingly relevant as consumer 3D printers increasingly rely on connected services. Bambu Lab recently launched a Trust Center providing documentation about its security architecture and privacy practices, alongside a security white paper and international certifications, including ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27701. According to the company’s documentation, printers incorporate hardware-level protections such as ARM TrustZone environments, Secure Boot verification, and encrypted storage. Devices communicate using encrypted protocols, while features like LAN-Only Mode allow users to operate printers without external connectivity. Cloud services supporting the ecosystem run across infrastructure from Amazon Web Services and Alibaba Cloud, with additional protection from Cloudflare.
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Featured photo shows Panoramic view of the 244-square-meter retail space. Photo via Bambu Lab.
