No matter what sparked your interest in professional 3D printing, this research guide can be your starting point. We'll help you ask the right questions while offering enough information about each technology and material to set you on the right path. We'll answer your top questions in four easy-to-follow sections:

• Technologies
  Learn how each technology works, where it excels, its potential drawbacks and what materials it can process.
• Materials
  Compare materials at-a-glance on properties like tensile strength, impact strength and heat resistance, and get links to detailed specifications.
• Operations
  Learn what skills, equipment and facilities you'd need to support each technology in-house, and your alternatives to purchasing.
• Budget
  See 3D printer price ranges for each technology, and learn what other factors to consider when calculating total cost of ownership.