TPI and HP spotlight sustainable eyewear 3D printing
Leveraging zero-inventory production and full-color MultiJet Fusion AM technology
Tech Print Industries (TPI) stepped into the spotlight to demonstrate its transformative approach to eyewear production. HP invited the company to Rapid + TCT to share their pioneering work in 3D printed eyewear—an initiative we at VoxelMatters have been following closely for several years as a truly unique case in the AM industry. The joint presentation showed a powerful case study of how additive manufacturing can enable highly customizable, sustainable, and scalable solutions in consumer goods.
No Waste, just Innovation
TPI’s Co-founder, Peter Friedfeld, and Operations Specialist, Lucas Friedfeld, delivered a talk focused on the inefficiencies of traditional eyewear production. For decades, the industry has faced issues related to overproduction, excess stock, and long lead times. TPI’s solution, enabled by HP’s Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology, is a fully digital, zero-inventory manufacturing system that only produces frames when and where they are needed.
What sets TPI apart is not just the tech but the purpose behind it. Every product is made with recyclability in mind, and each design is created using AI-powered tools that streamline customization while minimizing material waste. Full-color printing allows for creative expression without compromise, seamlessly blending function and fashion.
Moreover, this is not just about eco-conscious design. It’s about radically rethinking supply chains. TPI’s decentralized production model allows eyewear to be printed closer to the consumer, slashing transportation emissions and delivery times. It’s a model that makes environmental and business sense.
Industry buzz and the road ahead
The response to TPI’s showcase was enthusiastic. Attendees flooded the TPI x HP booth to feel the quality of the printed eyewear, examine the material details, and envision how such a model could translate across other consumer sectors. Lucas Friedfeld noted, “We’re proving that sustainability and high design can go hand-in-hand. And this is just the beginning.” This forward-thinking mindset is exactly why TPI attracts interest across diverse sectors—from fashion and wearables to health tech and industrial design.
As TPI continues to grow, their platform is poised to serve boutique eyewear brands and large-scale enterprises seeking to modernize production responsibly. Their work is an inspiring example of how 3D printing, when combined with sustainability and creativity, can redefine entire industries.
At VoxelMatters, we’ve followed TPI’s journey for several years via the MIDO Eyewear show. TPI’s case is particularly rare in the additive space: a truly consumer-facing application where color, customization, and sustainability converge.
