3D Printer Use Policies

Your institution likely has at least one 3D printer in use. Often used to create prototypes of parts or products, 3D printers are used across disciplines — from engineering to art — and are popular in K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.

When properly managed, 3D printers can be a valuable tool to achieve your institution’s learning goals and encourage creativity and innovation. But it’s important to create a policy on their use for safety, intellectual property, and other legal reasons.

What Is 3D Printing?

3D, or additive, printing creates a solid object from a digital design file. The process is achieved through a printer that lays down successive layers of the printing medium — anything from plastic to carbon to food — until the object is completely formed.

Many institutions use them in labs or offer 3D printing services in the library for use by the general campus population.

3D Printer Policy

No matter where your institution locates 3D printers, you should have a straightforward policy on their use. The policy should:

• Identify who can print designs. This includes staff, faculty, students, and the general public.
• Prohibit printing offensive or potentially dangerous materials.
• Retain the right to refuse to print anything for any reason.
• Account for intellectual property issues and concerns, such as copyright infringement.
• Outline sign-up times for using the printer and/or require advance submission of designs for printing.
• Identify who will monitor and approve requests and designs, if your institution requires approval of the printer’s use.
• Identify a time limit for picking up finished items and a method for handling uncollected items.
• Establish responsibility for damage to printed items or printing errors. To remind users, by the printer place signage such as, “The institution isn’t responsible for printing errors or damage to printed items.”
• State whether users must pay for printer time, materials, or both.
• Require users to sign an acknowledgment of the 3D printer policy with each request.

More to Consider About Printers

As you use these tools, also consider:

• The printer location — a library or lab — and who is responsible for managing and maintaining it
• How the printer exhaust is vented — because of the release of nanoparticles, people working with 3D printers may be required to take Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training
• How to dispose of excess or unneeded material byproduct
• Who monitors the printer while it is in use
• Whether people printing items have physical access to the printer

Additional Resources

University of Florida: 3D Printer Policy

University of Arizona: 3D Printer Policy

Brigham Young University: 3D Printer Policy 

American Library Association: 3D Printer Policies and Best Practices 

Bowdoin College: 3D Printing — Use Policy & Copyright Notice 

Makers Empire: School 3D Printer Safety 

Puckett High School: 3D Printer Policy

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Approaches to Safe 3D Printing