Is 3D Printing in Marketing a New Advertising Tool?

Did you know that big brands such as Coca-Cola, Dior, McDonald’s, Louis Vuitton or Volkswagen use 3D printing in their advertising strategies? These are only some examples of companies that see additive manufacturing as a great ally in the marketing sector. The rise of the technology in recent years is highlighting the advantages it offers in all kinds of applications. In particular, the freedom of design, speed of production and ability to create large parts locally makes this manufacturing option very attractive for communication departments within large corporations.

Today, one of the areas most influenced by 3D technologies is marketing. This discipline is defined as the area of market research in which one studies market behavior and identify consumer needs. Being such a broad branch, the use of additive manufacturing can be very varied. The use of 3D printers as a resource can take companies’ promotional activities to a new level. Thanks to their production capabilities, more and more companies and brands are experimenting with this manufacturing method for their creative campaigns. By doing so, they demonstrate the added value of having 3D technology to develop their most ambitious projects. In this article we will see the different applications we can find of 3D printing in advertising. From the creation of spots to its implementation in the so-called visual merchandising, through its use in commercial promotion.

Photo Credits: David Paul Morris

Visual Merchandising, POS and 3D Printing

Visual Merchandising is the practice of presenting products at a point of sale in order to maximize customer attention and attraction. This concept is usually especially important to make products visible in the retail trade, and it is carried out according to the strategy and philosophy of the brand itself. For this purpose, different tools and methodologies are used in this marketing discipline, such as spaces, color, lighting, screens, signage, etc.