--- title: "3D printed eyewear, a global phenomenon" url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/3d-printed-eyewear-a-global-phenomenon/ date: 2025-04-29 modified: 2025-04-29 lang: en author: "Tess Boissonneault" description: "As ardent followers of 3D printed eyewear, we at VoxelMatters have eagerly watched as the segment has evolved from using 3D printing for prototyping new eyewear designs and making fairly..." categories: - "3D Printed Eyewear" - "Consumer Products" - "Executive Interviews" tags: - "Featured" image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-17-640x456.jpg word_count: 1570 --- # 3D printed eyewear, a global phenomenon As ardent followers of 3D printed eyewear, we at VoxelMatters have eagerly watched as the segment has evolved from using 3D printing for prototyping new eyewear designs and making fairly rudimentary frames, to the use of industrial additive manufacturing solutions for scalable eyewear production. More than that, we’ve seen 3D printing take root all over the world as a production-ready solution for up-and-coming eyewear brands keen to take advantage of new design possibilities, more sustainable production practices and greater customization. Brands like YOU MAWO (Germany), Breezm (United States), BRAGi (China) and Hoet (Belgium) are pushing the boundaries of how eyewear is designed and manufactured and showcasing how 3D printing is playing an increasingly important role in the eyewear industry. As we’ll see, these international brands have different design styles and missions but have one important thing in common: their eyewear products are all brought to life using [3D printing technology from EOS](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/eos/). This is no coincidence: the 3D printing company is a global leader in laser powder bed fusion technologies and offers a range of industrial-grade hardware solutions and professional materials suitable for eyewear applications. As Dave Krzeminski, Polymer Business Development Manager at EOS, told us: “EOS is a leading polymer additive manufacturing solution provider, and places high importance on printed part precision, part-to-part repeatability, and printer up-time—all of which are demands for eyewear brands.” More than that, as a 3D printing company with an international presence, [EOS is equipped to serve its customers’ needs](https://www.voxelmatters.com/eos-and-godrej-team-up-to-establish-am-ecosystem-for-indias-aerospace-sector/) and can often do so locally. Presently, the company has operations in 35 countries around the globe, with several regional offices across Europe, Asia and North America, as well as sales partners in Africa, Australia and South America. This large network has been key to allowing eyewear brands all over the world to leverage 3D printing and usher in new consumer options in the historically limited eyewear market. ![3D printed eyewear, a global phenomenon - how EOS’ additive manufacturing technology is empowering eyewear brands all over the world.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-18.jpg) ## Boundary-pushing design There are a few key reasons that 3D printing and [EOS’ technology in particular](https://www.voxelmatters.com/farsoon-introduces-beam-shaping-for-metal-pbf-in-fs350m-4-system/) has emerged as something of a game-changer for the eyewear market. For starters, the technology unlocks new designs that would not be possible using more traditional injection molding. Belgian company Hoet, which has leveraged cutting-edge technologies in its eyewear production since it was founded in 1989, is a perfect example of this. The company employs EOS’ metal additive manufacturing technology (specifically the EOS M 290) to produce its Hoet Couture titanium frames, characterized by unique design elements, like honeycomb and other lattice structures. “Additive manufacturing has proven its worth across many areas of application,” says Patrick Hoet, Managing Director of the eyewear brand. “It is in general its functional aspects that are central. For us, however, it was the design possibilities offered by the technology that were key to our decision.” ## A focus on sustainability The functional aspects Hoet mentions are of course central to AM’s popularity in eyewear. For example, sustainability is a big reason that eyewear brands, including Hoet, are choosing 3D printing over more traditional mass production techniques. There are a few factors that give 3D printing a sustainable edge over injection molded frames: for one, it minimizes material waste through its additive nature, it also eliminates the need for tooling, but perhaps above all, it enables more agile production. Whereas the economics of conventional eyewear manufacturing necessitate the production of mass quantities—a percentage of which end up in landfills or stored in large energy-consuming warehouses—3D printing allows eyewear brands to produce frames in more limited quantities and even on demand. This not only reduces waste from unsold units, it also allows designers to bring new designs to market faster and with far less risk. With eyewear trends changing at rapid paces, the ability to stay ahead of the trend is a huge advantage. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-20.jpg) The ecological benefits of using AM for eyewear production aren’t just hearsay: German brand YOU MAWO conducted a full life cycle analysis (LCA) of its 3D printed eyewear in cooperation with its technology provider EOS and Fraunhofer EMI. The study found that the 3D printed eyewear was more sustainable than conventional acetate frames in all areas, from human toxicity to water usage to ozone depletion. YOU MAWO’s frames were actually found to have a 58% lower carbon footprint than traditional eyewear and to generate 80% less waste. “Together with EOS, we are creating the future of custom-made, 3D printed eyewear,” said Sebastian Zenetti, Managing Director and Head of Sales at YOU MAWO. “The EOS technology convinced us as it meets our high-quality, low scrap rate criteria. It supports our strive for sustainable production and products. As the technology enables the design and manufacturing of highly individualized eyewear, it also helps us to avoid overproduction, minimize supply chains and enable on demand production.” “3D printing can reduce lead times for end-users to receive their product,” Krzeminski adds. “For eyewear brands, 3D printing can minimize supply chain logistics, simplify end-to-end production workflows and possesses the potential for a more sustainable product life cycle.” ## Eyewear made for you In addition to design freedom and more sustainable production, customization is a key reason that eyewear designers are increasingly turning to 3D printing. In fact, most 3D printed eyewear brands offer a degree of customization, relying on facial scanning and digital design parameters to offer customers bespoke products. This is the case at Breezm, an American company that has developed a workflow for making customized frames at scale through the integration of 3D scanning, AI data and [EOS’ polymer 3D printing](https://www.voxelmatters.com/eos-hits-major-milestone-with-5000th-3d-printer-installed/). From a customer’s perspective, the fitting process involves visiting Breezm’s office in New York to undergo a 3D scan, which captures 1,200 facial points. This data is translated into a custom 3D frame model with tailored bridge length, nose pad positioning and endpiece positioning. Customers can also choose from over 70 different frame designs and from a variety of colors. The frames are then made-to-order at Breezm’s smart factory and delivered within five weeks, an altogether short turnaround for a custom product. ![](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-19.jpg) “[EOS technology](https://www.voxelmatters.com/eos-introduces-new-nickel-based-powders-for-additive-manufacturing/) has allowed us to not only meet but exceed customer expectations, providing tailor-made eyewear in a fraction of the time”, says Wooseok Sung, CEO at Breezm. “Thanks to EOS technology, our eyewear production is faster, more efficient and more personalized than ever before, allowing us to provide the best customer experience in the industry.” On the other side of the globe, Chinese company Nanjing BRAGi Optical Technology Co is also leveraging EOS 3D printing to bring greater customization to the bespectacled. “We are already familiar with the concept of customized production from numerous other applications, for example in the medical sector,” explains Gong Xinyi, designer at BRAGi. “After all, prostheses or implants are also tailored to individual patients. So why wouldn’t the same concept work in the field of optics?” BRAGi’s solution invites customers to visit a partner optician to have their face 3D scanned. From there, the customer can virtually model a range of different eyewear styles and then order their preferred style and color in a bespoke size. Like Breezm, BRAGi 3D prints the frames using EOS SLS technology and its white PA 2200 material, which is engineered for easy coloring and post-processing. “We intensively compared the technologies of different suppliers from all over the world. The EOS system is superior to other manufacturers in terms of component quality and surface finish. The fit between frame and bracket is excellent for every build cycle, and the technology-related staircase effect is virtually non-existent. In addition, the material allows any form of finish, including coloring. The purity of the white of the glasses frames is also very important, and here again the EOS system is at the top,” Xinyi adds. ![3D printed eyewear, a global phenomenon - how EOS’ additive manufacturing technology is empowering eyewear brands all over the world.](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/image-21.jpg) ## Eyewear and AM see eye to eye Within the spectrum of consumer products, it is no wonder that eyewear—which bridges fashion and medical—is ripe for an AM disruption. As Krzeminski explains it: “Eyewear is a unique combination of performance, usability and personal expression. The product often requires an experience that is physically comfortable as well as psychologically confident. Consumers are willing to pay for an enhanced, authentic custom experience and 3D printed eyewear can immediately deliver. Eyewear frames need to minimize pressure points, adapt to fit unique face features, and match your personal fashion style.” From EOS’ perspective, it has recognized the potential of 3D printed eyewear and is thinking about how to improve its solutions to meet and exceed the expectations of eyewear makers, from maximizing material usage to scalability. “EOS and our Additive Minds team work closely with all customers to create 3D printing process and material solutions that maximize our customers’ needs and requirements,” he adds. “We’ve been able to minimize scrap rates and increase up-time percentages to enhance profitability and minimize waste. Furthermore, the scalability across our printer hardware offerings provides a seamless scale-up experience.” Looking to the future of the intersecting segments, EOS sees the continued growth of 3D printing in the production of consumer frames, but it also sees the potential to make greater inroads in performance markets. “I see eyewear emerging in performance and protection markets,” states Krzeminski. “Eyewear is usually worn by first responders and soldiers, often for prolonged periods or unique situations, and 3D printing could offer unique benefits for these populations.” Overall, [EOS’ AM solutions and materials](https://www.voxelmatters.com/eos-and-blt-lead-list-of-top-10-metal-am-companies-2025-by-revenue/) are central to the eyewear products that many emerging brands are bringing to market and will continue to play a role in emerging applications in the segment.