The memorial industry is rapidly evolving, thanks to the introduction of new technologies like 3D printing. With the power of 3D printing, mourners can design and create almost any kind of urn or memento they can imagine. So, how exactly is this new technology changing things? And what should consumers expect to see in the future?
What Is 3D Printing?
3D printing is a relatively new technology that uses equipment similar to traditional paper printers to produce predesigned, three-dimensional models. Some of the most familiar 3D printers utilize specific types of plastic to construct 3D models, layer by layer, but more advanced 3D printers can use other materials as well.
This technology is sometimes called “additive manufacturing” or “injection printing.” It has begun to completely revolutionize manufacturing and product development, and millions of people have small, limited 3D printers in their own households for personal projects and hobbies.
3D Printing and the Memorial Service Industry
3D printing is also starting to transform the entire memorial service industry. Memorial service providers are utilizing the full potential of 3D printing to come up with novel concepts for funeral urns and other memorialization options. They’re also partnering with customers to help them brainstorm, design, and ultimately create unique visions.
These are just some of the advantages that customers enjoy with the advent of 3D printing in the memorial service industry:
- Customization potential. With 3D printing, customization potential is limitless. You’re no longer forced to select a funeral urn from a limited and uninspired collection of options. Instead, you can create something entirely from scratch. Accordingly, you’re much more likely to get something that you feel resonates with the personality of your loved one – and something much more appropriate for this purpose. If you like existing models, you can make subtle tweaks to perfect them. If you don’t like anything that’s available, you can simply build something new from scratch.
- Artistry and creativity. This is also an opportunity to show off your artistry and creativity. You don’t have to be familiar with 3D modeling software, nor do you need to be familiar with 3D printing technology. With the help of 3D printing specialists, you can come up with an abstract concept and channel it into a form that can be 3D printed. Your vision can become a reality.
- Collaborative potential. Many people have a vague idea of how they would like their loved one’s ashes to be housed, but they may not have the skills, artistic experience, or technological familiarity to pull it off. That’s why so many memorial service industry businesses offer the help of talented designers to collaborate on these projects.
- Accessibility. While 3D printing is a relatively advanced technology, it’s also an accessible one. Almost anyone, regardless of familiarity or budget, can take advantage of 3D printing to produce urns and other memorial items.
- Lower costs. 3D printing generally lowers the costs of manufacturing and product development. Depending on what you’re buying and the scope of complexity of the project, your 3D-printed items are likely to be relatively inexpensive.
The Process of Getting a 3D Printed Urn
The process of developing a 3D-printed urn goes something like this:
- Brainstorming. First, you need to come up with an idea for what you want the urn to look like. While there are some physical constraints on what you can build with this technology, you have significant room for creativity and expressiveness here. Don’t worry about making precise models or mockups; just start with an abstract idea for now.
- Partner selection. Next, you’ll need to select a partner. It’s not exactly hard to find providers of 3D-printed urns and memorial items, but you’ll need to do some due diligence to find a provider who is a good fit for your needs.
- Design and modeling. In most cases, you’ll work collaboratively with this provider through the design and modeling process. They’ll help flesh out your idea, and you can provide feedback to sculpt it to perfection. This may require a few iterations before all the nuances are fully worked out.
- Prototyping. When the design and modeling look good, the process moves onto prototyping. You’ll likely be able to see a rough version of what your product will look like so you can make any adjustments necessary before the final printing.
- Printing. If you approve the prototype, you can move on to the final printing.
3D printing has already been revolutionizing the manufacturing industry for many years, and now it’s revolutionizing the memorial service industry. If you’re looking for something creative, unique, and artistically powerful to celebrate the life of your loved one, consider working with a memorial service provider who offers 3D printing services.
