3 best 3D printers for small business on Kickstarter this week

Every week, our editorial team reviews dozens of new Kickstarter and Indiegogo launches to find the best 3D printers for small business. This week's selection focuses on three professional-grade machines that bring industrial capabilities to production environments without industrial price tags.

Finding the right 3D printer for small business means balancing capability, reliability, and realistic operating costs. These three campaigns—two SLS systems and one high-end resin printer—are addressing exactly that gap, with funding numbers and backer engagement showing serious commercial interest.

Anycubic P1 on Kickstarter

What it is Anycubic P1 Resin 3D Printer

A prosumer resin 3D printer that handles high-viscosity materials up to 8,000 cps—nearly 4× what most desktop machines support—with industrial-grade repeatability of ±0.01mm and dual-material printing capability.

Why we're watching it

Funded at $997K against a $64K goal with 1,378 backers and 47 days still on the clock. What stands out: Anycubic is positioning this squarely between consumer toys and $10K+ industrial rigs, targeting dental labs, production shops, and collectible manufacturers who need consistency at scale. The 60% lower peel force via Wave Release Technology addresses one of resin printing's biggest pain points—failed prints due to layer separation. Backers in the comments are specifically asking about dental resin compatibility and batch production workflows, signaling real commercial interest rather than hobbyist curiosity.

Who it's for

Small dental practices tired of outsourcing, miniature producers scaling from tens to hundreds of units, and technical users who've hit the ceiling with standard desktop resin printers and need genuine material flexibility.

The comment section shows unusual detail in technical Q&A—worth reading if material compatibility matters to your workflow.

Loopzizo K-100 on Kickstarter

What it is Loopzizo K-100 SLS 3D Printer

A compact desktop SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) printer using real powder-bed fusion with a 5W 450nm laser, supporting PA12 and TPU materials out of the box, with a 27-minute turnaround from model to finished part.

Why we're watching it

$414K pledged from just 75 backers—that's an average of $5,500 per backer, signaling serious buyers rather than casual early adopters. SLS has historically required industrial setups starting around $100K. Loopzizo claims "industry-leading price for true SLS" without listing the exact retail number publicly yet, but backer comments suggest they're expecting sub-$10K pricing. The dual powder recovery system and support-free printing unlock geometries impossible with FDM or resin—interlocking parts, organic curves, floating structures—without any post-processing cleanup. Early backer questions focus heavily on material costs and powder recycling efficiency, which are the real operational expenses in SLS.

Who it's for

Engineers prototyping functional parts that need to survive real-world stress testing, product designers who've been quoting $500/part from SLS service bureaus, and small manufacturers exploring low-volume production runs with complex geometries.

Check the project updates for material cost breakdowns—that's where SLS economics get real.

Zongheng3D SLS1518 on Kickstarter

What it is ZONGHENG3D

A desktop SLS system from an 8-year industrial 3D printing manufacturer, sized like a mini fridge (600×622×884mm), featuring integrated slicing software, one-click operation, and ±0.2mm dimensional accuracy with complete prints from a full build chamber in under 8 hours.

Why we're watching it

This isn't a startup experimenting with SLS — Zongheng has been supplying industrial systems for nearly a decade and is now bringing that expertise to desktop form factor. The self-developed slicing software optimized specifically for powder materials suggests they're controlling the full stack rather than cobbling together third-party solutions. The 7-inch touchscreen with plug-and-play operation targets users who want SLS capability without becoming powder metallurgy experts. Funding numbers aren't disclosed in the preview, but the campaign emphasizes certifications and safety standards prominently, signaling confidence in manufacturing readiness rather than prototype-stage promises.

Who it's for

Small businesses that need repeatable production quality, makerspaces adding professional capabilities without hiring specialized operators, and established shops testing SLS adoption before committing to six-figure industrial systems.

Campaign video focuses heavily on the actual printing process—useful if you're evaluating real-world operation versus marketing promises.

Our take

This week's selection shows how rapidly professional 3D printing technology is compressing into desktop form factors. Five years ago, these capabilities required dedicated facilities and specialist staff. Now, three different manufacturers are competing to bring industrial-grade resin and SLS printing to businesses operating out of garages and small workshops.

Some of these campaigns will likely define the prosumer 3D printing landscape for 2025. Others may struggle with the operational complexity of delivering true industrial performance at consumer price points. We'll be watching how backer questions evolve in the coming weeks—especially around material costs, maintenance requirements, and real-world throughput numbers.

FAQ about these campaigns