Breaking: Desktop 3D Printers Recognized by the State as Digital Consumer Products! Alongside Artificial Intelligence Phones, Computers, Smart Robots, and More

According to Antarctic Bear, on September 24, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and seven other departments jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Vigorously Developing Digital Consumption to Co-create a Better Life in the Digital Era," which for the first time clearly defines the scope of digital consumption and proposes to unleash new consumption potential by expanding the consumption of digital products. Among them, desktop-level 3D printing equipment is explicitly identified as a key artificial intelligence terminal product to be developed, along with AI smartphones, computers, smart robots, and wearable devices, and is regarded as a critical area for stimulating new consumption potential.

The transition of 3D printing positioning from manufacturing tools to consumer terminals.

The "Guiding Opinions" explicitly state in the section on "Expanding Digital Product Consumption" that companies are encouraged to accelerate research and innovation, increase the effective supply of artificial intelligence terminal products, and unleash the consumption potential of new products such as AI smartphones, computers, intelligent robots, wearable devices, and desktop 3D printing equipment.

This statement marks an important shift in the official recognition of 3D printing. In the past, 3D printing was often categorized within the realms of industrial manufacturing or specialized technology. However, its classification as a consumer-grade artificial intelligence terminal product indicates that the national level has recognized the trend of 3D printing technology becoming more accessible to ordinary consumers.

△ Antarctic Bear noticed that "Offline 3D printing physical stores are about to boom? Creality opens two stores in Shenzhen", actively responding to new consumption.

By placing desktop-level 3D printing devices alongside AI smartphones, smart robots, and other products, the status of this technology in the digital consumer field has been elevated, providing new policy support for industry development.

At the same time, the "Guiding Opinions" also propose to cultivate and build new consumer brands, promoting brand innovation and development such as digital national trends. This provides direction for 3D printing companies to integrate with traditional cultural elements and develop consumer-grade 3D printing products and content with Chinese characteristics.

The "Guiding Opinions" bring multiple benefits to 3D printing companies. In terms of enhancing the innovation capabilities of digital consumption enterprises, the document proposes to strengthen the research and development of fundamental technologies related to digital consumption, support the establishment of industry-university-research innovation consortia, and enhance the efficiency of transforming scientific research achievements.

△ Tuo Bamboo 3D Printer

In terms of cultivating and expanding digital consumption business entities, the policy clearly aims to accelerate the development of a group of influential and competitive specialized, refined, and innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in the digital consumption sector. It supports eligible enterprises to be recognized as high-tech enterprises. For technology-intensive 3D printing companies, this implies more policy inclination and financial support.

The "Guiding Opinions" also propose to encourage high-quality and differentiated development of e-commerce parks, aiming to create a number of innovative digital consumer enterprises and industrial clusters. This provides a policy basis for the construction of 3D printing industrial parks and is expected to promote the cluster development of the 3D printing industry.

The document points out that in expanding digital consumption channels, support should be given to the development of vertical industry e-commerce, expanding consumption channels in professional fields. This provides policy support for 3D printing equipment and service providers to develop online sales channels.

Kobra 3 V2 Combo High-Speed Multi-Color 3D Printer

The deep integration of 3D printing and digital consumption

Nanji Xiong believes that with the implementation of the "Guiding Opinions," the 3D printing industry will usher in new development opportunities.

From the perspective of product form, desktop 3D printing devices will become more intelligent and user-friendly, deeply integrating with artificial intelligence technology to lower the operation threshold and enhance user experience.

From the perspective of application scenarios, 3D printing will deeply integrate with fields such as cultural creativity, education and training, and home decoration. The "Guiding Opinions" mentions that "innovative digital content consumption" will provide a platform for the design, sharing, and trading of 3D printing models.

△Smart Pi 3D Printer

From the perspective of industrial ecology, 3D printing companies can leverage the momentum of the "digital national trend" to develop products and services that incorporate elements of traditional Chinese culture, fostering a 3D printing brand with Chinese characteristics.

The issuance of the "Guiding Opinions" provides policy guidance and support for the expansion of the 3D printing industry from specialized fields to the consumer market. This will promote the faster integration of 3D printing technology into daily life and propel digital consumption to new heights.

△ Flash Foundry AD5X

Under the support of policies, 3D printing companies should seize the opportunity of digital transformation and develop products that are more in line with consumer needs. As Yuan Shuai, Deputy Secretary-General of the Zhongguancun Internet of Things Industry Alliance, said: "Promoting the orderly development of drone trunk transportation and last-mile delivery services in regions with favorable conditions is a forward-looking decision." Similarly, the consumer applications of 3D printing should also proceed gradually, starting with regions and scenarios where conditions are mature, and gradually expanding the scope of application.

With the implementation of the "Guiding Opinions," desktop-level 3D printing will no longer be merely a tool for professionals but will become an end device for ordinary consumers to create personalized digital content, heralding the true explosion of the consumer-grade market.