10-03-2013: 3D Hubs published the first edition of the "3D Printing Trends" report

It was one of the most important sources of information on the emerging 3D printing market

On October 3, 2013, the first report on 3D printing trends, prepared by 3D Hubs, was featured on the 3ders.org portal. The Dutch platform for 3D printing services provided insights into the global usage of 3D printing technologies, materials, and user behaviors. The reports were highly regarded for compiling data from vast network of users and manufacturers. They offered key market data, top 3D printers, and trends in additive manufacturing. In 2021, Hubs was acquired by Protolabs, with the focus shifting towards broader manufacturing services beyond just 3D printing.

3D Hubs was founded in 2013 by Bram de Zwart and Brian Garret in Amsterdam, with the goal of creating a decentralized network of 3D printing services. The original concept was to connect people who owned 3D printers with those who wanted to print parts, forming a localized, global manufacturing network. 3D Hubs provided a platform where individuals or businesses could order 3D-printed parts from local providers, reducing shipping times and costs.

Initially, 3D Hubs started as a small operation, but it quickly gained traction due to the growing interest in 3D printing. By 2014, the platform expanded globally, reaching cities in North America, Europe, and Asia. As more 3D printer owners joined the platform, 3D Hubs grew its network significantly, allowing users to find local services in over 150 countries by 2016.

By 2017, 3D Hubs saw a significant shift in its customer base. More industrial clients and businesses began using the platform for prototyping and small production runs. This change led the company to move away from its original community-focused model of connecting consumers with local 3D printers. Instead, it transitioned toward a B2B model, focusing on offering more professional-grade services, including industrial 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding.

In 2018, 3D Hubs made the then-controversial decision to completely abandon small suppliers in favor of selected partners in what was called the "3D Hubs Manufacturing Program."

In January 2021, 3D Hubs was acquired by Protolabs and soon after rebranded as Hubs.

Returning to the reports – the data used for the reports came primarily from the vast number of orders processed through the 3D Hubs platform. This gave the reports a unique perspective, providing real-world data on which industries were using 3D printing, which materials were most in demand, and what types of 3D printers were the most popular.

For example, in 2013, Ultimaker and Makerbot were the most used brands. Both accounted for a combined 40.4% of the more than 1,100 3D printers on the 3D Hubs network, followed by RepRap (11%) and Prusa Mendel (7.3%) among others. Makerbot led in the United States, while Ultimaker was dominant in Europe.

Source: www.3ders.org