Short answer
Mostly no, but it depends on who is talking. Both terms describe making an object by adding material layer by layer from a digital model. In everyday conversation, people use them interchangeably. Some industry sources do draw a line: they treat “3D printing” as the printing step itself and “additive manufacturing” as the wider production process around it. Neither usage is wrong, so it helps to know both.
What both terms have in common
Whichever word you use, the basic idea is the same:
- A 3D model is created or downloaded.
- Software slices the model into thin layers.
- A machine builds the part one layer at a time, by extruding, curing, sintering or otherwise joining material.
This is the opposite of carving a part out of a solid block, which is how most traditional machining works.
Where the terms differ in practice
Usage tends to follow context:
- 3D printing is the more casual term. It is common in media, among hobbyists and with desktop machines.
- Additive manufacturing (AM) is the more formal term. It is common in engineering, aerospace, medical and other production settings.
Some writers go further and say additive manufacturing includes more than the printing itself. On that view it covers design for the process, support strategy, post-processing, material control and repeatable quality, with 3D printing being the core operation in the middle. Other sources say there is simply no difference. Since there is no single enforced definition in everyday use, treat the distinction as a matter of emphasis rather than a hard rule.
Quick comparison table
| 3D printing | Additive manufacturing | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical tone | Casual, general audience | Formal, industrial |
| Often associated with | Desktop machines, hobby projects | Production parts, engineering workflows |
| Core idea | Building objects layer by layer | Building objects layer by layer |
| Scope when distinguished | The printing operation | The wider process including design, post-processing and quality control |
Which term should you use?
- For hobby projects, tutorials and general audiences, “3D printing” is understood by nearly everyone.
- For technical documents, supplier discussions or production planning, “additive manufacturing” signals that you are thinking about the full process.
- When in doubt, use the one your audience uses, and define it once if the context is unclear.
What is subtractive manufacturing?
Subtractive manufacturing removes material from a larger piece to reach the final shape. Milling, turning, drilling and similar machining operations are typical examples (see CNC machine benefits and the introduction to the lathe machine). Additive manufacturing builds up material instead. Neither is better in every case. Subtractive methods are often chosen for tight tolerances and certain materials, while additive methods are often chosen for complex shapes and low-volume parts.
What are the seven types of additive manufacturing processes?
The ISO/ASTM standard groups additive processes into seven categories:
- Material extrusion (including FDM/FFF, the process most desktop printers use)
- Vat photopolymerization (resin printing such as SLA)
- Powder bed fusion (such as SLS and metal laser processes)
- Material jetting
- Binder jetting
- Directed energy deposition
- Sheet lamination
If you own a typical filament printer, you are using material extrusion.
Can you drink out of 3D printed cups?
Be cautious. Even when a filament is sold as food-safe, a printed surface has tiny layer gaps that can be difficult to clean fully, and some additives, colorants or nozzle residues may not be suitable for food contact. For anything that touches food or drink, check the material manufacturer’s guidance, and consider using a printed part only for non-food-contact purposes, such as a cookie cutter used once or a decorative holder.
Where rapid prototyping fits
Rapid prototyping is a use case, not a synonym for either term. It means quickly making physical models to test a design, and 3D printing is a common way to do it. The relationship is covered in more detail in our article on whether rapid prototyping is the same as 3D printing.
Key takeaways
- The two terms refer to the same family of layer-by-layer processes.
- “3D printing” is the casual term; “additive manufacturing” is the formal one, and some sources use it for the broader workflow.
- Both stand opposite subtractive manufacturing.
- Rapid prototyping is an application of these processes, not another name for them.