Consumer perception of surface finish quality in additive manufactured products

Purpose This paper aims to investigate consumer acceptance of the surface quality of customer products made using additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing. This study addresses a research gap in understanding how general consumers perceive the surface finish of AM products. Design/methodology/approach A pen, as an example of a consumer product, was designed, built and finished using a range of materials, AM technologies and post-processing methods. Forty participants were recruited for the study: 50% male and 50% female, from 5–64 years old and with 6–7 participants per ten-year age group. The participants were invited to hold and use the product before conducting a semi-structured interview. Findings The study indicated that 53% of participants would be prepared to use products made by AM, although there was a preference for the surface finish of injection-moulded parts. Post-processing methods such as tumbling and dyeing were found to improve participant preference in several cases. However, the findings also revealed a significant mismatch between the actual production costs of AM products and what consumers were willing to pay. Originality/value The study demonstrates that AM can meet some user preferences for surface finish, particularly when using multiple materials with the material jetting method. It also highlights how specific post-processing steps can enhance product acceptance, offering insights into design and pricing considerations for AM consumer products. We have revised the abstract to clearly state the research gap – specifically, the lack of studies exploring general public perception of surface quality in 3D printed consumer products. We also highlight our study’s contribution to this area, including implications for product design and commercialisation strategies.