Brass and bronze are warm, gold-coloured metals used for jewellery, art, and hardware. Detailed pieces are usually made by casting from a 3D printed pattern (see castable resin); simpler parts can be CNC machined. Direct metal printing in these metals is less common.
What Brass / bronze is good at
- Beautiful finish: Polishes to a gold-like shine and develops a natural patina over time.
- Great for detail: Casting captures fine, artistic detail.
- Easy to machine: Brass is one of the easiest metals to CNC machine.
Where it falls short
- Tarnishes: Unless polished regularly or sealed.
- Heavy: Dense metals.
- Process varies: Casting, machining, or printing each have different costs and lead times.
Is Brass / bronze right for my project?
It's usually a good fit if your item:
- is jewellery, art, or decorative hardware
- should look like gold without the price
For a metal look at a much lower price, try metal-fill PLA.
Common questions
What's the difference between brass and bronze? Brass is copper and zinc; bronze is mostly copper and tin. Bronze is often a little darker and more reddish.
Find Brass / bronze near you
Ready to get something made? Find shops that offer Brass / bronze near you, or upload your file for a quote. Not sure which material to choose? Choose by what you're making or ask a local shop.