3D printer manufacturer Formlabs is preparing to launch Form Now, an on-demand 3D printing service that enables users to upload designs, select from a range of professional-grade materials, and receive finished parts without owning a 3D printer.
Turnaround times are expected within five days, making 3D printing more accessible for individuals and businesses looking to explore the technology before investing in equipment. While this approach is common among startups, it is less typical for an established manufacturer, marking a move toward scalable, service-focused solutions.
Applications, Materials, and Potential Impact
Form Now will serve hobbyists, designers, engineers, and businesses. Users can submit custom designs or files from repositories like Thingiverse or Makerworld, choosing from durable plastics, flexible resins, and industrial-grade powders. Printing will be handled using SLA and SLS technologies, producing precise, production-ready parts. Pricing starts around $10 for sample items, with options ranging from everyday components to specialized parts for architecture, medical testing, or prototyping. Customers can track orders in real time.
To encourage adoption, Formlabs is introducing a referral program offering printing credits from $10 for a single referral up to unique rewards, including a life-sized 3D printed statue of the user, a friend, or a pet for top participants.
Formlabs Expands 3D Printing Portfolio
In April, the company launched its new desktop resin 3D printers, Form 4 and its variant, Form 4B, priced at $4,499 and $6,299 respectively. Targeting professionals in diverse fields, these printers aim to deliver improved performance and usability. Representing Formlabs’ fourth generation of desktop resin 3D printers, the Form 4 series possesses high speed, reliability, and material properties. Noteworthy attributes of Form 4 include accelerated print speeds in comparison to its predecessor, Form 3+, completing prints in under two hours for most projects and reaching vertical speeds of up to 100 mm/hr.
In July, Formlabs acquired Micronics, a Wisconsin-based 3D printing startup developing accessible Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printers. Co-founded by Henry Chan and Luke Boppart, Micronics has generated notable interest since launching the Kickstarter campaign for Micron. The company successfully raised $1,357,939 of its initial $100,000 goal from over 400 backers, before fundraising was cancelled after the acquisition.
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Featured image shows Form Now homepage. Image via Formlabs.
