Why Isn't 3D-Printing Bigger in Fashion Yet? (And Why It's About to Change)
- Marina Gutzwiller
- May 28
- 4 min read
3D-printed fashion isn't mainstream but it's getting there. Discover why the future of fashion might be 3D-printed, and how studio mg² is shaping what comes next.
In 2018, back when I was still working in fashion as a design manager (read: lots of mood boards, coffee, and color-coded chaos), I attended a presentation by Danit Peleg. If you're not familiar with her work, she’s a pioneer in 3D-printed fashion, an industry professional who saw the future before most of us were ready to imagine it.
Danit showcased a 3D-printed bomber jacket made from interlinked chain-like structures. If I remember correctly it took her days, maybe even weeks to print that one jacket. But she was beaming with optimism, claiming the technology was evolving fast and that it wouldn’t be long before the fashion industry could truly tap into the power of 3D printing.
In all honesty, seven years later, I'm still waiting for that big fashion-tech breakthrough. And while we may not be walking around in entirely 3D-printed wardrobes (yet), the technology hasn’t stood still. Today’s 3D-printers are faster, more precise, and (crucially) more commercially viable. And also the materials are developing fast: We’ve come a long way from rigid plastic panels. Flexible filaments, biodegradable polymers, and recycled blends are pushing filament development into the fast lane.
There are major fashion brands and designers that are already exploring 3D-printed fashion, even trying to commericalize it. Balenciaga's SS2025 collection features a 3D-printed tube top. Versace sent models on the runway of their AW2025 fashion show wearing 3D-printed skirts and dresses made from recycled nylon polymers. And Iris van Herpen is a Dutch designer who experiments for over a decade with sculptural 3D printed fashion design.
So... Why isn’t 3D-printing a staple in fashion yet?
The Challenges Holding 3D-Printing Back in Fashion
1. Materials Aren’t Quite Fabric Yet
Yes, materials have improved. But they’re still not on par with the breathability and softness of cotton, silk, or wool. Even flexible TPU or TPE can feel a bit off on the skin, more like a techy wetsuit than luxury loungewear.
2. It’s Not Exactly Quick (Yet)
3D printing a full garment takes time. Not fashion-week-deadline-friendly time. And when prints fail (because they do), it can mean hours lost and starting from scratch. That’s hard to scale when you're trying to meet production demands.
3. Runway-Ready Isn’t Everyday-Ready
A 3D-printed piece might steal the spotlight on the runway, but comfort, durability, and ease of movement still need work. Right now, most 3D-printed fashion exists in the realm of art and concept, it's purely experimental, not something you'd wear for a coffee date in town (unless you’re Iris van Herpen, in which case: go off).
4. Luxury Perception Clash
Fashion's elite still associate luxury with artisanal craftsmanship and traditional materials. 3D printing feels industrial, mechanical, maybe even cold. It’s a branding issue as much as a technological one.
5. Sustainability Questions
Ironically, while 3D printing can reduce waste by producing exactly what’s needed, many filaments are unfortunately still petroleum-based. That’s slowly changing with bio-based and recycled alternatives, but the fashion world wants sustainability and softness and that’s a tall order to fulfill.
Why 3D Printing in Fashion Is (Finally) Gaining Ground
Now for the fun part: What's changing, and why I'm optimistic.
1. Filament Innovation Is Moving Fast
Researchers are creating printable materials that are flexible, soft, even breathable. Bio-based filaments made from algae, corn starch, or recycled plastics are starting to behave more like traditional fabrics. In my eyes, we are not far off the development that filaments will soon have a fabric-like feel and properties.
2. Customization Is a Game-Changer
With 3D body scanning and digital tailoring, garments can be made to perfectly fit an individual's body. No waste, no stockpiles, no guesswork. Therea is a variety of brands already offering fully 3D-printed, custom-fit shoes, and this will trickle into garments soon.
3. Digital Fashion Is Driving Real-World Change
The rise of AR clothing and digital fashion brands like DressX is normalizing the idea of fashion as intangible code. As people get comfortable dressing avatars, physical garments that blend 3D printing with traditional textiles won’t seem so wild.
4. On-Demand Production = Less Waste
Imagine walking into a boutique, getting scanned, and having a custom 3D-printed piece ready by the next day. Or browsing for digital fashion pieces, downloading the file, adapt it to your body's measurements and print it out at home. As printers get faster and more precise, and commercially available, this isn’t sci-fi it’s a new business model.
5. Art-Tech Collaborations Are Setting the Tone
When designers team up with engineers and material scientists, magic happens. Just look at what Iris van Herpen has done for the couture world or how Zac Posen’s Met Gala gowns blended glamour with geekery. These projects pave the way for broader adoption.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not a Matter of If, But When
3D-printing isn't mainstream in fashion yet but it’s definitely not on the sidelines anymore. As material science catches up, as sustainability becomes non-negotiable, and as fashion consumers look for uniqueness over uniformity, the conditions are right for a quiet revolution.
And let’s be real: Fashion is always looking for what’s next. 3D printing might just be it, layer by layer.
At our studio mg², we're currently experimenting with 3D printing mesh, lace, and guipure-like structures, reimagining how texture, design, and innovation can intersect.
If you're curious about what's possible or interested in collaborating, get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you.
Comments