Why These 3 3D Printing Stocks to Buy Stand Out for Long-Term Investors

The investment landscape for 3D printing stocks to buy is shifting dramatically as technological maturity meets growing commercial demand. Patient investors are discovering compelling opportunities in companies positioned at the intersection of innovation and profitability. With the 3D printing industry expanding from $28 billion in 2024 to a projected $150 billion by 2032, the sector represents one of the most significant growth frontiers in industrial technology. This expansion is fueled by adoption across aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods—industries where additive manufacturing is transitioning from experimental to essential.

The Converging Opportunity in Best 3D Printing Stocks

The backdrop for evaluating best 3D printing stocks to buy has evolved considerably. Industry leaders report that 62% of executives foresee excellent external market conditions, while 68% cite favorable internal operational circumstances. These optimistic assessments reflect genuine business momentum, yet the sector’s stock valuations have remained under pressure due to macroeconomic headwinds, including elevated borrowing costs and persistent inflation. This disconnect between corporate performance and equity valuations creates precisely the type of opportunity patient investors have historically exploited.

Policy support from initiatives like the Biden administration’s Additive Manufacturing Forward program continues to strengthen the regulatory environment, encouraging both established manufacturers and emerging startups to accelerate 3D printing adoption. The combination of structural demand growth, policy backing, and attractive valuations makes this an opportune moment to identify the best 3D printing stocks to buy.

3D Systems (DDD): Restructuring for Competitive Advantage

3D Systems represents a transformation story within the 3D printing ecosystem. The company is pursuing a strategic mega-merger with Stratasys valued at approximately $1.8 billion—a combination designed to establish an unparalleled powerhouse in additive manufacturing. While Stratasys has thus far resisted the combination despite revised proposals in September, the potential synergies remain compelling: 3D Systems projects $110 million in cost optimization opportunities following a successful merger.

The pro forma entity would generate an estimated $1.3 billion in annual revenue with EBITDA margins approaching 12%, creating a significantly more efficient competitive platform. Beyond the merger narrative, 3D Systems continues advancing its product portfolio. The NextDent 5100 dental platform exemplifies the company’s focus on high-value healthcare applications. By mid-2024, management anticipated FDA clearance for innovative multi-material denture solutions using precision jetting technology, expanding addressable markets in dental restoration.

The MJP 300W printer, equipped with VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby capabilities, demonstrates the company’s versatility in jewelry manufacturing. This system delivers accelerated production speeds and superior surface finishes, creating new pathways for designers seeking durable, flexible alternatives to traditional casting methods. Additionally, 3D Systems is streamlining its portfolio by divesting its on-demand manufacturing division to veteran investor Ziad Abou and Trilantic North America for $82 million, allowing the core business to concentrate on industrial and medical applications where margins are superior.

Materialise (MTLS): Specialized Exposure to Healthcare and Industrial Software

Materialise occupies a unique niche combining software expertise with pronounced exposure to medical device applications and the global aging demographic. The stock, having declined 33% during the reference period, presents a contrarian opportunity supported by compelling analyst estimates. Street consensus targets a $10.75 per share, implying approximately 110% upside from depressed levels.

This optimistic outlook reflects the company’s demonstrated operational capability. First-quarter 2024 results revealed an earnings surprise of 1,300% paired with a 1.25% revenue beat, demonstrating management’s ability to exceed market expectations. Despite temporary pressure on adjusted EBIT and EBITDA from strategic capital allocations, the Medical segment expanded 7.7%, while gross margins improved to 56.5%—evidence that Materialise is managing cost structure effectively while investing for future growth.

The company’s innovation engine continues accelerating. The proprietary e-Stage for Metal+ software employs physics-based modeling to optimize laser powder bed fusion architecture, reducing print times and enhancing material efficiency. Separately, Materialise’s collaboration with Vuzix showcases the company’s flexibility in emerging applications. By leveraging 3D printing capabilities for smart eyewear design and manufacturing, Materialise is expanding beyond traditional medical orthopedics into consumer electronics—a market demonstrating exponential growth potential.

Analyst consensus projects 4.1% revenue growth for 2024 and 14% expansion in 2025, with gross margins continuing upward trajectory as the company scales fast-growing verticals like aerospace and healthcare. This combination of financial recovery, margin expansion, and market diversification positions Materialise favorably among best 3D printing stocks to buy for investors with medium to long-term horizons.

HP (HPQ): Diversified Growth Engine with 3D Printing Exposure

HP’s approach to 3D printing stocks differs fundamentally from pure-play specialists. As a diversified conglomerate generating revenue across imaging, computing, and printing, HP’s 3D division benefits from the corporation’s financial stability and established customer relationships. This structural advantage translates into analyst confidence—the stock appreciated 19% during the reference period, outperforming industry peers while the broader market grappled with uncertainty.

The company’s strategic focus on Multi Jet Fusion technology continues advancing. Recent automation solutions—specifically the Jet Fusion 3D Powder Handling Automation System and Jet Fusion 3D Automation Accessory—reduce operational complexity and downtime between production runs, directly addressing customer pain points in high-volume manufacturing scenarios. These solutions represent the practical application of additive manufacturing at scale, a capability few competitors match.

HP’s e-Stage for Metal+ software complements hardware capabilities by optimizing data preparation and build planning for laser powder bed fusion systems, making metal additive manufacturing more economically viable for cost-sensitive applications. The company’s customer roster validates this strategic direction. BMW utilizes HP’s Jet Fusion technology to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance component performance in automotive applications. L’Oréal leverages Multi Jet Fusion for cosmetics packaging, gaining manufacturing flexibility while accelerating time-to-market. Endeavor 3D employs HP Metal Jet for precision metal component production, demonstrating industrial utility across diverse sectors.

This evidence of real-world adoption, combined with HP’s financial resources and diversified revenue streams, cements its position among best 3D printing stocks to buy for risk-conscious investors seeking exposure to additive manufacturing’s secular growth without concentrating risk in specialized players.

Investment Perspective on 3D Printing Stocks to Buy

The confluence of technological maturation, policy support, demographic tailwinds, and attractive valuations has created a rare investment window in 3D printing stocks to buy. Each of the three companies examined—3D Systems pursuing consolidation, Materialise building specialized healthcare dominance, and HP leveraging diversified corporate strength—offers distinct pathways to participate in the sector’s expansion. The industry’s projected growth to $150 billion by 2032 provides substantial room for multiple winners, rewarding investors who identify quality operators ahead of inflection points.