Printarea 3D este cunoscuta si sub alte denumiri, mai mult sau mai putin similare, precum fabricatie aditiva AM (additive manufacturing), fabricare rapida RM (rapid manufacturing) sau prototipare rapida RP (rapid prototyping). Alte denumiri mai putin uzuale sunt fabricare digitala (digital manufacturing), fabricare digitala (digital fabrication), fabricare in straturi (layered manufacturing) sau fabricare DMF (desktop manufacturing).

            Tehnologii de printare 3D

• FDM – Fused Deposition Modeling – Modelare prin Extrudare Termoplastica

• SLA – Stereolithography – Stereolitografie

• DLP – Digital Light Processing – Expunerea digitala a luminii

• SLS – Selective Laser Sintering Sinterizare Laser Selectiva

• SLM – Selective Laser Melting / Direct Metal Laser Sintering – Sinterizare (Topire) Laser a Metalelor

• 3DP – Printare inkjet tridimensionala

• LOM – Laminated Object Manufacturing – Fabricare Stratificata prin Laminare

• PJP – PolyJet Printing – Printare PolyJet cu Fotopolimeri