Introduction
Even though 3D printing is a relatively young sphere overall, its impact on different areas of human life cannot be underestimated. For the first time, 3D printing was mentioned during the 1980s when Hideo Kodama applied for a patent in the area of rapid prototyping (Bangeas et al. 513). The industrial knowledge and experience allowed him to gain more insight into how prototypes should be created in order to contribute to industrial products and achieve a higher level of quality of different merchandise. The patent was not registered initially, causing Charles Hull to take the lead and get another patent issued for stereolithography apparatus technology (Hull 27). The concept of 3D printing was practically cofounded by Hull, as his contribution revolved around technological advancement and the probability of coming up with prototypes that could be worth some reasonable investments. Selective laser sintering became one of the predecessors of modern 3D printing.
During the 1990s, the industry picked up more pace and started focusing much more on fused deposition modeling as well. This technology allowed for innovative printing methods to be developed and deployed successfully (Thrimurthulu et al. 588). The fashion industry was not moved or altered by 3D printing during the earlier days because most of the inventions covered the need to modify and improve the printing capability. The 2000s became the decade when 3D printing finally started taking shape and penetrating other spheres of human lives rather than conventional printing and manufacturing of spare parts for various machinery (Lipson and Kurman 48).
One of the probable reasons why the fashion industry could have been reluctant to 3D printing throughout several decades was the exceptional cost of maintaining the aforementioned technology. Consequently, device management and the lack of resources scared many businesses to an extent where they labeled 3D printing as something completely unnecessary (Oropallo and Piegl 140). Over the course of the past decade, the notion of 3D printing has been actively discussed across the fashion industry. This caused numerous artists and designers to argue on whether the effect of technology on their fields of expertise could be detrimental on a long-term scale.
Current Status of 3D Printing
Compared to the groundbreaking deployments from the 1990s, the existing 3D printing technologies are much more affordable and efficient. Numerous companies in the market gained an opportunity to reduce the cost of their activities and ensure that the concept of accountability can be respected by manufacturers as well (Choong et al. 638). Evidently, 3D printing is much more popular across healthcare (e.g., prosthetics (see Figure 1)) and product design, but its current status can be described as relevant. From landscape design to various clothing items, 3D printing should be perceived as a possibility to create something unique while overcoming the past limits established by legacy technology (Tetsuka and Shin 2941).
In other words, modern printing capabilities serve as a course-plotting device for the numerous workers and independent individuals trying to create and show their formations to the world. Technical limits of the past are no longer affecting humans to the same extent they did, for example, two decades ago.
Computer-aided design is directly in line with 3D printing since it shows that the value of digitally generated clothes and accessories is just as high as of their conventional alternatives. 3D modeling continuously alters the world and paves the way for more appreciated outcomes of proper manufacturing (Sun and Zhao 10). In other words, the possibility to print on suitable materials or utilize such constituents to generate clothing items is something that the world has not seen during the 20th century. Some of the most popular materials that can be utilized for 3D printing at the moment are thermoplastics, photopolymers, and Truecast (Gibson et al. 699).
Each of them possesses exceptional characteristics that make it easier for developers and end-users to achieve a high-quality product and utilize biocompatible materials at the same time. Therefore, the current status of 3D printing may be outlined as flexible because printed items can be delivered anywhere across the globe without any specific limitations.
Another crucial idea is that printing technologies are developed in line with templates that allow for a deeper understanding of how the process of production could be turned into a much more viable final product. In other words, 3D printing is a sustainable technology that has to be considered when engaging in almost any processes related to clothing design and the fashion industry in general (Vanderploeg et al. 174). This happens because 3D printing continues to evolve and becomes quicker, less resource-intensive, and significantly eco-friendlier. These trends affect the developers and make it harder for them to avoid pitfalls and generate impeccable innovations.
Therefore, 3D printing deployed across the fashion industry is a result of an external technological evolution that has led to numerous new collaboration opportunities (Pasricha and Greeninger 9). In Figure 2, one may witness how the close link to modern art allowed the developers of 3D printing to help the fashion industry benefit through the interface of reprinted clothing items, unique dressing elements, and other means of utilizing the technology.
Specific Development Methods
One of the essential development methods that are utilized for 3D printing is the willingness to cover different fashion trends and address aesthetic needs expressed by consumers. For numerous designers and customers, this is a crucial discussion topic because 3D printing is both an emerging opportunity and a significant challenge that cannot be overlooked (Shahrubudin et al. 1291). Various trends have to be investigated in order to allow for more sources of inspiration to be found by designers, especially under the condition where a large database of 3D printed elements of clothing is being created at the moment.
An increased level of interconnectedness paves the way for innovative dressing styles and makes it easier for companies to convey the message while remaining in line with the dressing styles of the target community (Thepale and Gawli 4406). Consumer preferences have a critical impact on the use of 3D printing because clients are the ones who provide big data for analysis and pick the most appropriate dressing styles. 3D printing is sustainable enough for fashion companies to exploit it in a positive manner.
Yet another development method is a recurrent big data analysis that is required to ensure that all the clothing items and accessories are in line with actual consumer preferences. 3D printing is a breakthrough technology that has to be addressed in order to go beyond mere printed clothing and switch to safer and eco-friendlier production (Kim and Kim 119). In a sense, all of the products that can be created with the help of 3D printers have to be considered a logical result of the technological revolution that is slowly taking over the world at the moment.
The fundamental method used by 3D printing developers is that every item created with the help of their technology should be functional and stylish enough to attract consumers (Chan et al. 86). The creativity behind 3D printing is so immense due to integrated design solutions and the opportunity to facilitate human life while maintaining an approach to the artistic side of the subject. Therefore, fashion products can often be deployed in line with the majority of personalized elements being considered.
This ultimately paves the way for another development method that is centered on the idea that advanced customization represents the future of the fashion industry. The fashion elements of 3D printing make it safe to say that the concept of fashion itself is going to change under the influence of the need for personalization (Sun and Zhao 11). This phenomenon may be explained by all the various forms that 3D printing can take when utilized across the fashion industry.
Therefore, the key approach to manufacturing fashion items is to influence the consumer perception and then come up with innovative 3D designs to make sure that people are going to remain keen on individualization and the possibility of creating designs that appeal to them personally (Jeong et al. 4). Advanced customization is a crucial method that cannot be overlooked in the case where big data and other breakthrough technologies could change the way humans see the fashion industry. All the informative opinions available from the big data could be utilized for matching short-term and long-term needs expressed by consumers.
The final method that can be described within the framework of the current paper is the ability of 3D printing developers to resolve issues by stepping away from tacit knowledge and intuition. Their unique approach relies on computer language and digital design, allowing consumers and developers to work together on redefining their expectations (Hong and Lee 13). The computational design increases the rate of adaptability and makes it easier for developers to deploy garment structures that are not like the conventional ones. This means that the majority of advancements attained in the area of 3D printing have been achieved through the interface of simulations and computational evaluations.
In a sense, numerous conservative processes have been replaced with their digital alternatives in an attempt to deploy fashion designs that are not as intuitive (Liu et al. 303). The roles of training and proactive decision-making are no longer underestimated by fashion designers. From wearable products to clothing items, 3D printing became a household name for quite a few designers due to the changing workflow and the opportunity to alter development processes.
Innovations Linked to 3D Printing in Fashion
One of the most renowned innovations linked to 3D printing is the ability of fashion designers to print seamless full garments without any specific challenges. More brands nowadays are coming up with solutions that make it easier for them to fabricate high-quality clothing while also keeping it eco-friendly and cutting costs where possible (Sun and Zhao 7). Reusable technology accessories and some of the sustainable waste are also utilized to speed up the manufacturing process, as 3D printing capability does not fixate on just one or two useful materials. In a sense, the key innovative feature of 3D printing is that designers have the opportunity to generate new fabrics without the need for patents (Spahiu et al. 5).
This practically accelerates market development and shows how the fashion industry could influence its resistance to external influences. The increasing number of low-cost solutions also makes it possible to suggest that clothing items, accessories, and shoes that came out of a 3D printer are just as solid as their conventional counterparts. The fact that one can download and print their shoes, for example, is the new model of outsourcing as well.
Accordingly, the whole area of 3D technologies is recurrently transforming the value chain across the fashion industry. The processes of prototyping and delivering the product can be shortened with the help of 3D printing since samples can be developed almost on the fly (Han and Kim 82). The mass production capability is not necessary for designers that actively utilize 3D printing because they substitute large cargo containers and shipping orders with smaller supplies and a direct focus on customization. Not only this reduces the cost of production, but it also creates additional opportunities for designers to compare predictions to real-life results across lesser batches and see how 3D printing actually performs compared to classic fashion industry manufacturing (Kim and Kim 120). A thorough reduction of lead times is also a benefit that helps bypass limitations related to the physical world since 3D modeling saves time and resources in a flexible manner.
Advantages of 3D Printing in Fashion
The vital idea about the fashion industry and its association with 3D printing is that designer clothing is no longer as expensive as before. The difficulty of obtaining couture fashion items has become relatively obsolete, partially due to the advent of 3D printing and its benefits. Rare and unique garments can be printed and not developed by hand, for example (Ullah et al. 194). Therefore, the primary advantage of 3D printing within the fashion industry is that it could affect the field to an extent where customization would become a mass-market variable.
In other words, technology paves the way for solutions that could have been deemed ineffective in the past. Also, modern fashion no longer represents rich households, as practically anyone can access fashion items and wear them with no hesitation (Popov and Koo 15). This approach to fashion was not possible when 3D printing was absent because production costs were phenomenal and could not be covered by average-income households.
Another tangible source of the positive impact of 3D printing on the fashion industry is the possibility to leave less waste and promote eco-friendly clothing items. This advantage represents a significant difference from conventional fashion development methods because textile scraps represent a crucial environmental issue (He et al. 2388). From soil to water pollution (e.g., fabric paint), conventional fashion item development methods represent a rather dangerous activity. On the other hand, the amount of water that is required for manufacturing fabrics and textiles is stunningly exceptional. For instance, China has to cope with both water and air pollution due to the high rate of textile production in the area (Jiang et al. 49683).
Major players in the field of fashion could utilize 3D printing to address quite a few challenges related to pollution without affecting the environment in a negative way. To say the least, fashion that is based on 3D printing could allow for quicker innovation and reduce lead times (Choong et al. 638). The physical constraints of conventional fashion do not affect 3D printing in any way since its digital elements go beyond geometrical constrictions and more.
Another essential benefit that cannot be overlooked when analyzing the impact of 3D printing on the fashion industry is the possibility to transform the market and supply chain management activities. The fact that practically any item can be printed within the framework of not more than 24 hours shows how the swiftness of supply chains could be affected (Sun and Zhao 5). The advent of more seasonal collections also proves that the decreasing lifespan of fashion industry items no longer represents a threat for larger manufacturers. The chance of experiencing a resource shortage is rather low with 3D printing because new styles are brought into the industry rather consistently (Jeong et al. 18).
The quickness and efficiency of the proposed instruments make the fashion industry one of the primary reasons why 3D printing became popular. Instead of stagnation, the fashion industry started experiencing sporadic elements of growth, as the fashion industry tends to evolve together with technology. An efficient approach to creating clothing items is one of the indispensable means of addressing the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
The slightest benefit that still has a significant impact on the outcomes across the fashion industry is the small batch size of 3D printing initiatives. While a conventional manufacturing setup would require a company to order clothing and footwear by container, the advent of 3D printing allows fashion brands to acquire smaller batch sizes and complete orders on demand (Liu et al. 308). Even if less attention is paid to stakeholders from China and Bangladesh, for example, the fashion industry remains untouched because digital designs do not require brands to utilize bulky batches of materials during the prototyping stage or order hefty supplies from outsourcing partners.
The fact that prototyping improves manufacturing efficiency also shows how time efficiency and the cost of fashion production could be enhanced with technology (Gibson et al. 700). Alternatively, it may be suggested that rapid prototyping has changed the fashion industry through the interface of disproving conventional manufacturing methods and giving the brands something much more efficient to work with on a daily basis. The cost of design iterations with 3D printing is much more beneficial than with their conventional design counterparts.
Challenges of 3D Printing in Fashion
As a disruptive technology, 3D printing is affected by quite a few downsides that have not been mitigated just yet. One of the essential issues that have to be covered when dwelling on the impact of 3D printing on the fashion industry is copyright (Oropallo and Piegl 136). Despite it sounding rather eccentric, it may be possible that fashion designs could be pirated similarly to music and movies on the Internet. Not only is this illegal, but it is also one crucial way to affect the original designer and create more obstacles to the fashion industry in general. The process of sharing 3D designs often remains unprotected, exposing both designers and possible end-users to problems with authenticity (Vanderploeg et al. 175).
Consumers cannot escape the issue of legitimacy because there can be designs that are advertised completely differently from what they actually represent. Accordingly, 3D printing was one of the main reasons why numerous people lost their jobs across the field of fashion manufacturing (Lipson and Kurman 61). Instead of waiting for containers with fashion items to be unpacked, end-users have the opportunity to attain small batch sizes for specific items and print clothes in their homes (see Figure 3).
Knowing that 3D printing is not actually labor-intensive, it becomes safe to say that the focus shifted to machines and their capacities. In other words, 3D printing has made some of the human labor useless, destroying long-standing jobs in certain parts of the world (Martins et al. 336). The increasing prevalence of home-based 3D printing is also going to affect the process of quality control for fashion brands. This makes perfect sense for the fashion industry because a variety of personal items that bypass brand quality can be deemed invincible from the point of view of consumer contentedness (Oropallo and Piegl 137).
This also becomes an especially sensitive subject when realizing that big fashion brands are used to investing millions of dollars in quality control when their resistance to change serves as a counterforce. Therefore, consumers that possess knowledge in 3D printing could tweak elements of the design of the fashion item without having to spend an exceptional amount of resources (Pasricha and Greeninger 12). Controlling the end design of 3D clothing items is a tough task that is often accomplished by individual users and not large fashion brands due to the process of market decentralization.
Ultimately, the challenge for 3D printing in the fashion industry is the growing importance of sustainable designs that do not get in line with the current development processes. The advent of new printing technologies, 3D capabilities, and new materials makes it harder for fashion industry representatives to ride the wave of innovation (Vanderploeg et al. 177). Even though there are materials such as polylactic acid and nylon, quite a few individual designers and their brand counterparts have to cope with legacy options and their impact on the industry.
Glass, paper, and stainless steel are no longer viewed as unfitting materials for printing, but the bigger problem is that not everyone realizes how such resources could be applied to the fashion industry (Todeschini et al. 766). An increasing level of confusion makes it harder to develop new fashion products and track all the essential properties and capabilities of any given item. Accordingly, sustainability can be hard to achieve even under the condition where proper 3D printing is in place. This happens because an inappropriately scarce amount of attention has been paid to the product life cycle over the past decade.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, technological innovation is one of the key catalysts of human progress in numerous spheres of people’s activity. From the aesthetic point of view, innovative projects can be seen as an opportunity to shift the current fashion paradigm and come up with clothing items and accessories that can be utilized on a daily basis. 3D printing within the framework of the field of clothing design is not a mere instrument but a capability to remain on the same page with innovation and enable various designs that appeal to diversity and cultural backgrounds. In a sense, 3D printing is a shortcut that allows individuals and brands involved in the fashion industry to manufacture high-quality products that are sustainable and actually add value to the industry.
The existing evidence shows that the fashion industry tends to benefit from technology (e.g., 3D printing) because it can be implemented relatively quickly and creates room for further modernization. Accordingly, the majority of advantages of 3D printing cannot be overlooked because they affect the whole industry and not just manufacturers and consumers.
The segment of the fashion industry related to 3D printing can be described as ever-transforming because of the breakthrough capabilities attained by end-users. Irrespective of whether it relates to clothes, accessories, or any other element of fashion, it is crucial to address the role of 3D printing within the fashion industry as a dynamic concept. The industrial impact of new technologies relates to accessibility and commodity allocation since 3D printing continues to spread across numerous spheres of human lives.
The opportunities associated with the fashion industry have generated a long-term impact on how printing patterns and needs are viewed by consumers and designers as well. Fashion design activities are exceptionally creative, meaning that the application of 3D printing would broaden the horizons for many designers that could not realize their vision with the help of conventional materials and instruments. Unique clothing or accessory designs can be seen as the core moving force allowing more designers to recognize the power of 3D printing and implement it more often.
The changes that the fashion industry is currently coming through cannot be compared to those having occurred even a decade ago because the popularization of 3D printing had changed the course of development for many industries. Knowing that some of the recent creations are a combination of technology and human thought, it should be noted that 3D printing is an accurate mix of research and improvisation.
The ability to turn common materials into a dress or an accessory item represents the core moving force for the modern fashion industry. 3D printing is the voice of the 21st century due to the connection to the concept of sustainability and a serious focus on eco-friendly components of fashion designs. Printable materials become more durable, giving lots of creative space to individual and brand-affiliated designers. It may be safe to say that the fashion industry keeps becoming more flexible and focused on differentiation, with the latter being achieved via innovation and visual clues.
Considering all of the information covered within the framework of the current paper, it may be safe to conclude that 3D printing is going to develop into one of the most important innovations across the fashion industry. The increasing influence of technology makes it crucial for individual designers and larger brands to consider the need to look into research and development prior to testing certain solutions or implementing them. Despite several limitations associated with 3D printing, this technology represents one of the essential go-to options for designers across the globe that prefer to stand farther from ordinary solutions.
The number of applications of 3D printing is going to increase further due to how easy it is to apply it and achieve a high-quality result. In the future, the fashion industry could expect more effective cost reductions and a wider technological range of innovations associated with the derivatives of 3D technology. Bearing all the information in mind, it can be concluded that 3D printing is an innovative area of knowledge that has to be explored in order to help more designers gain competitive advantages and move the fashion industry forward.
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