It looks like you’re hunting for the perfect email and lead generation tool, and you’ve found yourself at a crossroads: 

GetResponse vs ConvertKit.

Both of these are marketing automation tools that’ll help you achieve similar core goals. They both can help you grow your email lists, nurture contacts, and even sell more products or services. 

We’d definitely sound a little biased if we make this article all about GetResponse, so we won’t be telling you which one to pick here. 

Instead, we’ll guide you to make your decision yourself. Since you’re in the best position to make the right decision for your needs — you need to be the one making the call. 

So in this piece, we’re going to do a detailed comparison between the two tools and their features, so you can choose which one best suits your needs. 

Without further ado, here are features you should consider when trying to pick between GetResponse & ConvertKit!

Author’s note: This comparison is accurate on January 14th, 2021. We do our best to keep it as accurate as possible, and we check it on a regular basis, however, if you want to acquaint yourself with the offer of our competitors, you should check it at their official website or contact their representatives.

Table Of Contents

1. Any marketing automation provisions from these tools?

GetResponse

One of GetResponse’s most important features is its suite of marketing automation tools. 

If you have an existing contact list with another marketing platform when you first start using GetResponse, you can easily import your contacts using either a CSV file or integrating GetResponse with that other provider. 

Then, you can use our suite of automation features to build email campaigns immediately. 

Our main dashboard has two options: “quick actions,” which help create slick, professional email marketing campaigns using pre-built templates and triggers, or the main menu to take advantage of all the communication and growth tools in the suite.

And if you need ecommerce integrations, GetResponse has you covered. Our marketing automation workflows allow you to send abandoned cart sequences, transactional emails, and even product recommendations to customers automatically using triggers.

If you are new to marketing automation, you can start an interactive tutorial and quickly learn how to use the conditions, actions, and filters. There are also a few pre-designed automation templates to choose from.

Of course, you can build your workflows from scratch at any time.

For example, if a customer abandons their cart, the marketing automation workflow will trigger an abandoned cart email to be sent to them: 

You can also add elements and conditions to these marketing automation settings using the drag-and-drop feature, making it one of the easiest ways to build custom automation parameters based on your needs.

ConvertKit

ConvertKit is also equipped with a range of marketing automation tools that aim to keep complex workflows simple. 

Like GetResponse, ConvertKit has a drag-and-drop builder to help you build your follow-up emails and marketing campaigns. And if you aren’t sure where to start or what your automation should look like, you can use one of the pre-made templates:

For example, if you wanted to set up an evergreen newsletter, here’s what the pre-made template looks like: 

If you want to change an event, action, or condition, you can easily customize the path.

The difference between the tools is that while both have a range of marketing automation capabilities, GetResponse also has a conversion funnel feature (which we’ll dig into in a bit), making it easier to plot out what automation you should use in certain circumstances. ConvertKit does not currently have this feature.

2. Landing page capabilities, anyone?

GetResponse

You can use GetResponse’s Landing Page Creator to build a landing page from scratch or, if you need help, to customize one of the 100+ ready-made templates.

In either scenario, you’ll have access to our drag-and-drop editor where you can customize text and images, and add custom HTML, CSS, or Javascript code. And if you want to add external content like your Twitter feed or custom countdown timers, this feature lets you do it. 

With the landing page creator, you can also:

• structure your landing pages using sections
• add content blocks for images, video, text, and buttons
• add static and pop-up forms
• add webinar registration forms
• add a sense of urgency with countdown timers
• collect payments thanks to our PayPal integration
• add social sharing icons
• add custom-code elements using HTML, CSS, or Javascript
• preview your landing page to see what it looks like on a desktop or a mobile device

Like our other templates, our landing pages are mobile responsive, and you can hide or show elements just for mobiles or desktop devices.

We also make it easier for your landing pages to get found on search engines because you can edit every element from the page title to the URL: 

Our integrations with analytical tools like Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager give your page a better shot at showing up in search results.  

On top of that, we have built-in A/B test functionality to split test your landing pages to see which lead magnet or call-to-action button is converting more leads.

Finally, because our marketing suite also includes tools like webinar software, the landing pages fully integrate with them so you can use the landing pages as webinar registration pages and grow your email list even faster. 

ConvertKit

ConvertKit also has a landing page builder as well as pre-made templates. However, there are a lot fewer templates than GetResponse offers — just 18 to choose from!

The difference between the two landing page builders is that while GetResponse’s is a drag-and-drop editor, ConvertKit has more of a static editor. You can still edit parts of the landing page like colors, text, and images, but the elements can’t be moved: 

But the templates are well built. If you find one you like, you can edit the elements side-by-side by merely using tags and drop boxes — no coding required: 

And if you don’t even have a website, but you still want to collect leads, you can simply use these landing pages to build a contact list and sell products.

3. What about their email marketing capabilities?

GetResponse

The power of GetResponse comes from combining email marketing and automation. The tool makes it easy to create email campaigns and then put your lead nurturing efforts on autopilot.

The first way you do this is by creating autoresponders, otherwise known as email drip campaigns. You can create and customize these using our ready-made templates, and with the intuitive calendar view, it’s easier to visualize when these emails are hitting your subscriber’s inboxes:

Now, the cool part about GetResponse’s email marketing suite is that it gets to know your contacts by their data. 

If you’re not sure when to send out your campaigns or what time zone your contacts are in, GetResponse has two features that will automatically adjust the send-time to your contact’s time-zone or using their past-behavior data.

These are just a few examples that show why we label ourselves as the easiest and most comprehensive email marketing tool available.

ConvertKit

ConvertKit’s email marketing capabilities stand out because it sticks to the basics. 

First of all, ConvertKit does not use email templates. You can only add text, images, and GIFs to emails because they believe that the less you add, the better chance you will have to convert your leads.

Even if you want to add extra elements, you can’t drag and drop. You are limited to an editor where you must add in elements as if you were in a word processor like Google Docs. 

You can also easily edit email marketing funnels just by clicking on them in the workflow:

As ConvertKit also has a landing page feature like GetResponse, it’s easy to tie in elements to get the most out of its email marketing features. However, you have limited customization options.

4. What about conversion funnels?

GetResponse

Here’s where GetResponse goes from merely being an email marketing suite to a full-blown marketing machine. 

Thanks to our Conversion Funnel tool, you can create a customized “conversion funnel” using all the tools in our toolkit, like: 

• Landing Pages
• Stores
• Facebook Ads
• Instagram Ads
• Social Ads creator
• Sales pages
• Payment processors
• Follow-up/abandoned cart emails

All you have to do is pick a template, and it will tell you which elements you should be adding to each stage of your funnel. Even better, you can visualize it:

There is a whole range of conversion funnel templates you can use, and each step also comes with helpful templates. So, if you need to build a landing page and an email sequence, you can use the templates at each stage to create a funnel that converts without spending hours doing it. 

Conversion funnels are such a helpful feature because you can track the complete customer journey from when a customer clicks on your ad or landing page to the moment they make a purchase. 

Because you have a conversion funnel tracking every step, you can change up parts that aren’t working and optimize those that are. 

In the past, you would need a suite of different marketing tools to make this happen. But with GetResponse — you can do it all under one roof. 

ConvertKit

While ConvertKit has automated workflows, it doesn’t have a conversion funnel feature.

5. Which one lets you run webinars?

GetResponse

GetResponse is the only major email service provider on the market that offers webinar software.

If you launch a webinar using GetResponse, you’ll have access to key features like: 

• design tools and interactive whiteboard
• screen sharing/interactive chat room
• recording (so you can remarket the webinar once it’s over)
• surveys and Q&A session
• moderated chat
• multiple hosts
• Facebook and YouTube streaming option

Like other tools in our suite, you’ll have different webinar room layouts and other features available to you:

Once the webinar is ready, all you have to do is set the webinar’s URL, date, and time, and you’re ready to launch. And your attendees can see your webinars no matter what device they’re using.

Finally, using GetResponse’s survey tool, you can gather feedback at the end of the webinar, and since it’s linked to the rest of the marketing platform, you can automate your post-webinar follow up sequences based on their responses!

ConvertKit

ConvertKit doesn’t have a dedicated webinar tool. Instead, it relies on integrations with tools like WebinarJam, WebinarNinja, and Crowdcast.

6. What’s their pricing like?

GetResponse

GetResponse has a plan to suit everyone, offering three different pricing tiers plus a Max plan with the price based on your list size. 

Out of the plans, our Plus plan is the most popular, but you must choose the plan that offers the features you need and fits with your budget:

If you decide to join us, we’ll reward you with a discount if you choose a one or two-year plan. 

Picking a one-year plan will get you an 18% discount, while a two-year plan will shave 30% off of your bill. 

The best part is that we let you try it out with our 30-day free trial. 

ConvertKit

ConvertKit now has a limited free version and offers a 14-day trial period for those who want to try out all its features. 

If you need access to automation and integrations, you’ll need to access a paid plan. 

These come in two tiers: Creator and Creator Pro. 

If you are seriously looking to grow your email list and nurture your customers using automated sequences, you’ll need to access one of the paid plans. 

Unlike GetResponse, ConvertKit does not offer a discount if you buy a one or two-year plan.

7. Which one offers ready-made templates?

GetResponse

GetResponse is equipped with tons of free designer email templates. It also has an Email Creator you can use to build your own from scratch. 

Let’s start with the templates.

They are all responsive and work across any device, and the library is regularly updated to keep up with the latest design trends, meaning your emails will never look outdated when they land in your contact’s inbox. 

If you want to customize a template or create your own, the email creator allows you to add text, video, images, and even custom code:

With our creator, you can:

• structure emails using sections
• add content blocks for images, video, text, and buttons
• save sections to use on future campaigns and product launches
• customize emails by adding your brand’s logos, fonts, and color palette
• add custom-code elements using HTML
• preview your email to see what it looks like on a mobile device or in major email clients
• spam-check your message before sending it to your audience

All these features not only make it easier to optimize campaigns so they look professional in your subscribers’ inboxes, but it can also improve their engagement.

If you want to go beyond a template, the HTML feature lets you customize emails for more complex projects.

ConvertKit

ConvertKit’s selling point is that it does not use templates.

And as a result, their email builder looks somewhat similar to a word processor or your regular Gmail account:

ConvertKit’s thinking is that the more elements you put into an email, the less likely it is to reach its destination — your subscriber’s inbox.

And while that’s a sound strategy for some, most marketers that sell their products or services online could probably use a ready-made template that’s designed for driving conversions.

8. Which one is best for bloggers?

GetResponse

Keeping a consistent message is essential for bloggers, which is why GetResponse has created several tools that are ideal for bloggers.

These include:

• Intuitive drag-and-drop email creator with ready-made-templates
• Rss-to-email tool that automatically pulls new posts from your feed and sends them to your audience via email
• Signup forms and popup forms that’ll help you collect more newsletter subscribers
• Lead magnet funnels designed carefully to help you host and promote your ebooks and other digital products
• Facebook and Instagram ads for those who want to reach a wider audience
• Social ads creator that lets you design engaging posts for your social media profiles
• Web push notifications if you’d like to keep your audience posted about new updates

ConvertKit

Bloggers built ConvertKit, so it’s not surprising that it’s a good fit for bloggers. 

If you are regularly posting, you can choose what days and times to schedule your emails to reach your audience. 

You can also filter your list with tags, segments, date subscribed, or even by their first name so broadcasts and RSS feeds are sent to specific audiences.

The features for ConvertKit’s RSS feed are easy to customize:

The main distinctions between the two tools for bloggers is that ConvertKit only has 18 landing pages to choose from. If you need a platform with more options, this might not be enough.

Also, ConvertKit also lacks the conversion funnel feature so it may be harder for bloggers to convert subscribers even after they land in their funnel.

9. Do they let you tag subscribers?

GetResponse

You can automatically tag and segment leads based on their behavior using GetResponse. 

If one of your subscribers is opening certain kinds of content or clicking links about a specific product, you can program GetResponse to tag them and automatically send out follow-ups that reflect their behavior:

Example of a marketing automation workflow that assigns scoring points and tags recipients based on their behavior.

This level of segmentation helps you target leads based on their behavior and helps you boost your chances of turning them into customers. 

ConvertKit

You can also tag subscribers and create rules for your subscribers in ConvertKit. 

If you want to send out a specific offer to a certain group or make sure people who subscribed to an earlier course get a discount on their next one, you can.

Once the tags are added, they’ll show up in your contact feed:

10. What about workflows?

GetResponse

GetResponse’s visual workflow builder allows you to map out email automations using triggers. 

You can create a sequence that targets frequent customers or people who have attended an earlier webinar and didn’t convert. 

Here’s what the workflow builder looks like:

Inside the workflow builder, you can add  “triggers” based on conditions. So if someone has just subscribed to your email list, the workflow could look like this:

You can also add “triggers” for events like: 

• new subscribers
• email opens
• clicks on links
• abandoned carts
• product purchases
• product upgrades
• URLs visited (i.e. pricing pages)

You can use these triggers to create and customize your onboarding sequences, reactivation campaigns, and cart abandonment campaigns to boost engagement and sales.

ConvertKit

ConvertKit also comes equipped with workflows you can customize based on triggers. 

The workflows allow you to structure automations around three scenarios: events, actions, and conditions. 

For example, an “events trigger” will send out an email at a certain time, no matter where the subscriber is, whereas an “action trigger” will be set off if a subscriber clicks a link or call to action. 

Here’s what ConvertKit’s workflows look like:

As we mentioned earlier, ConvertKit makes it easy to customize the content inside these workflows. If you click on a trigger or email, the content editor allows you to edit it without taking you to another screen: 

11. Do they provide Web push notifications?

GetResponse

GetResponse allows you to interact with website visitors via Web push notifications.

These notifications can be sent to a user via desktop web browser and mobile web browser. Web push notifications are delivered on a user’s desktop or mobile screen anytime they have their browser open — regardless of whether or not the user is on the website.

ConvertKit

You can’t run Web push notifications from your ConvertKit dashboard. However, you can integrate dedicated tools like Push Push Go.

12. Which one helps you to run Facebook and Google ads easily?

GetResponse

One of the most significant barriers for freelancers, bloggers, and small businesses is finding the time to create ads that are engaging enough to draw in new subscribers. 

GetResponse has two tools to help you overcome these barriers: our Social Ads Creator and our Facebook Ads creator. 

These tools make it easy to create and publish both image and video ads straight from GetResponse to platforms like Facebook and Instagram. 

Like other GetResponse features, you can use pre-made templates to create a professional-looking Facebook Ad and launch it straight to Facebook: 

Once the ad is launched, you can track engagement and conversion rates from inside your GetResponse dashboard. 

You can also automatically add Facebook Pixel to your landing pages, which you can use to retarget potential customers with your Facebook ads — also directly from the GetResponse dashboard!

ConvertKit

You can’t run Facebook or Google ads from your ConvertKit dashboard. 

But you can add your Facebook Pixel to your ConvertKit Landing Pages, so any Facebook campaigns you run will be reflected in your custom Facebook audiences. 

And if you have the Creator Pro plan, ConvertKit now has direct integration with Facebook Custom Audiences so you can sync segments directly to Facebook.

So instead of spending time importing and exporting CSVs to run Facebook ads, the integration does it automatically.

GetResponse vs ConvertKit full feature comparison

Feature	GetResponse	ConvertKit
Email Marketing	Yes	Yes
Drag-and-Drop Email Creator	Yes	No
Ready-made Email Templates	Yes	No
Signup Forms	Yes	Yes
Marketing Automation	Yes	Yes
Landing Pages	Yes	Yes
Webinars	Yes	No
Conversion Funnels	Yes	No
Surveys	Yes	No
Facebook Ads	Yes	No
Google Ads	Yes	No
Social Ads Creator	Yes	No
Web Push Notifications	Yes	No
24/7 Support Access	Yes (via Chat)	Yes (via Email)
Integrations	Yes	Yes

Wrapping Up

Like any tool you invest in, picking the right one for your needs takes a bit of research. 

Not only do you need to look at the features of each tool, but you also need to find one that will fit in with your existing tech stack and your budget. 

GetResponse and ConvertKit are both email marketing powerhouses, and each of them has different strengths. 

Which one is best for you? Only you know the answer!

WASHINGTON, DC — There are many reasons to say “I love you” and countless ways to show you care. The U.S. Postal Service begins the year with a new Love stamp. Love 2021, the latest stamp in the popular Love series, features a colorful and lighthearted digital illustration. The first stamp in the series was issued in 1973.

Love 2021 stamps are available nationwide today. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #LoveStamps.

“The Love 2021 Forever stamp adds a special touch to cards and letters,” said USPS Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President Pritha Mehra, the dedicating official. “It shows thoughtfulness and care have been included, inside and out.”

There is renewed enthusiasm for handwritten notes that express exactly how you feel. Sending a card to a loved one or friend is a special way to declare your affection, friendship, gratitude or devotion. Many cards are intentionally left blank inside so you can personalize your message for any occasion or send a greeting for no particular reason at all.

Playful, graphic lettering on these stamps will add color and whimsy to your mailings. The stamp art features the word “love” and three large hearts in an unconventional palette of color duos, strikingly set against a dark blue background. The design also includes a smaller heart, a rectangle and a semicircle.

The first-day-of-issue location for the stamp is Loveland, CO. For 75 years, the city’s Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the Postal Service for an internationally renowned Valentine Remailing Program. Every year, more than 100,000 valentines, packaged inside larger envelopes, are sent to Loveland, where volunteers handstamp them with a Valentine’s Day verse and send them on to the intended recipients. A contest is held each year for residents to submit their designs and verses.

The virtual stamp event will be posted on the Postal Service Facebook and Twitter pages. Please visit usps.com/lovestamps for details of the dedication ceremony.

Greg Breeding was art director. Bailey Sullivan created the original art and designed the stamp.

Love 2021 is being issued as a Forever stamp in panes of 20. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide.

Information on ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers is at usps.com/shop.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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Dutch additive design firm Aectual has launched a beta design-to-delivery program, as well as an online store, for its 3D printed architectural and interior products. Now, it’s possible to purchase from the company such 3D-printed elements as “terrazzo artwork flooring, fixtures, wall paneling, columns, façades, stairs, room dividers, planters and table screens — even entire buildings — that are all made from 100% circular, sustainable recycled and renewable materials.”

Aectual spun out of the 3D printed Canal House, among the first additive construction projects to make international headlines. As members of DUS Architects worked on that project, they were so flooded with requests for work and collaboration that a new firm was spun out. The company began with 3D printed floors, walls and façade panels, as well as 3D printed molding for the creation of concrete elements.

“Aectual addresses a serious global challenge: the construction sector accounts for 39% of all global carbon emissions and is one of the largest polluting industries in the world. Aectual’s turnkey platform enables AEC professionals and consumers to create beautiful, customized XL 3D-printed buildings, architectural and interior design products from 100% recyclable, renewable materials that minimize waste and don’t harm the planet,” said Hedwig Heinsman, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Aectual. “We enable world-class architects, designers and brands to realize their own bespoke designs on demand, at any scale and in any building, and to create truly unique, 100% sustainable products without being slowed down by extensive prototyping and long lead times.”

Using large industrial robots, Aectual extruded plastic objects that were then filled in with terrazzo, resulting in unique looking design elements. This led to an array of fascinating projects, which Aectual highlighted in a press release: “flooring in Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport, flooring in BMW World in Munich, printed display walls in Nike Town London, a tiny bauhaus (aka studio shed or she shed), flooring that uses recycled Budweiser bottles at Capital C offices in Amsterdam and the temporary EU building in Amsterdam.”

Now, the company is launching 12 specific products in seven categories, all of which can be customized:

• “Flooring: terrazzo pattern — available in bio or ultra-thin bio
• Furniture: curtains and bookcases
• Façade Cladding and Wall Paneling
• Outdoor: sun screens and canopies
• Concrete Elements: stairs, pavements and façade cladding
• Interior Design: planters, room dividers and table screens”

Aectual hosts the aforementioned parametric products that customers can customize and order. Or professionals in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry can upload their own models to have produced by the company. Aectual will then 3D print and install the product. Aectual is partnered with Henkel for materials, ABB for the robotics, and Arup, a major British multinational professional services firm with important and innovative architecture and engineering divisions.

The company suggests that the cost of its architectural elements has been reduced by 50 percent, while production times have been sped up by 10 times. Moreover, Aectual claims that its products are “circular”, in terms of material usage. Once a product is no longer useful to a customer, they can send it back to the company, which will recycle it and 3D print the material into new products. Aectual claims that this results in “35% to 95% material reduction due to its parametric designs, the number of materials needed, special manufacturing and product design optimization.” So, it may not be perfectly circular and there are sure to be carbon costs embedded into the transport of products, but this is certainly a start to reforming what is an otherwise entirely wasteful global consumer society.

In addition to attempting to introduce as much circularity into their manufacturing ecosystem as possible, Aectual also claims to strive to use all bio-based materials. This includes bio-plastic created by Henkel, as well as a soy-based binding agent, made in collaboration with partner Duracryl, for its terrazzo flooring. This makes it the first terrazzo floor that is Red List free. Stones used by Aectual are made from upcycled materials from the marble industry.

Interested AEC professionals can sign up for the beta version of Aectual’s enterprise program, where prices start at USD$24 per square foot (€200 per square meter). Consumers can purchase customizable furniture and design pieces, including room dividers and planters, starting at prices of USD$608 (EUR€500).

What is most important about this project, given the state of our collapsing ecosystem, is the circular nature of the materials used; however, from a market perspective, the fact that Aectual is focusing on individual AEC elements suggests it could succeed in the additive construction space and aid in the wider adoption of the technology. It seems that 3D printing makes the most headway in various industries not by trying to remake the entire segment, but by disrupting around the edges.

In that way, the regulations, cost, technological limitations, and overhead of 3D printing an entire house or car don’t prevent businesses from exploring the applications of the new technology. Instead, enterprises can purchase a 3D printed facade to test the possibilities before gradually working up to entire buildings once the technology has proven itself, costs have been reduced, and regulations have been determined.

And it may even be in the items that involve less 3D printing where Aectual sees the most growth at first, such as 3D printed flooring and formwork. The floors really are interesting to look at and lack the chintzy aesthetic of objects made entirely out of 3D printed plastic, while the formwork is likely very practical for actual construction applications. Regardless of where Aectual heads, we’re clearly seeing the additive construction industry begin to take off and it will be exciting to see where it is in just a few years.

In “The Market for Metal Additive Manufacturing Services: 2020-2029” report by SmarTech Analysis, researchers point out the importance of service bureaus adopting additive manufacturing to end-user industries. It also describes how metal AM is establishing itself as a true manufacturing process, one that stands toe-to-toe with traditional production technologies. But there are significant challenges, one of which is the limited variety of materials available with which to print.

Aluminum products company Rusal America announced the addition of a new powders portfolio that includes metal additive manufacturing powders. With its move into the metal AM space, the world’s second largest aluminum supplier is following the trends outlined in the SmarTech report. The Rusal metal AM powders include four Al-Si based casting alloys along with five specialty alloys for use primarily in the aerospace and automotive industries. This is a great example of traditional producers of aluminum products are seeing the light when it comes to additive manufacturing.

Part of the reason Rusal has the ability to design novel aluminum products for the metal additive manufacturing industry is due to its commitment to research and development of aluminum alloys at the Rusal Light Materials and Technology Institute (LMTI), as well as its first rate powder atomization and inert gas powder facilities.

The metal AM powders are designed by material scientists at Rusal to optimize material strength and durability while reducing cost as much as possible. For this work to happen, Rusal decided that the powders have to be 100% pre-alloyed and fully metallic. So, there are no ceramics or nano-inclusions, and the powders are atomized only from ALLOW feedstock, which is Rusal’s best low-carbon footprint aluminum supply. In fact, ALLOW’s carbon footprint is 75% less than the global average for smelter scope 1 and 2 emissions. To ensure transparency and accountability, all of the powders in the portfolio come with a 3rd-party certified carbon certificate.

Some of the highlights of the metal powder portfolio include RS-230, an Al-Cu alloy with hot-crack resistant properties and a high-strength stability at temperatures up to 250 ^oC. Another metal powder in the portfolio is RS-553. This Al-Mg-Sc alloy is designed for use in the aerospace industry. It has optimized scandium material that performs similarly to Al-Sc additive manufacturing alloys at a reduced cost in comparison.

SmarTech Analysis reports that aluminum alloys represented almost 10% of 3D printed metal content last year, which led to a 43% growth in shipments of aluminum powder. In turn, we’ve seen a number of companies begin qualifying the material for use on their systems, including VELO3D and Optomec.

Metal AM is continuing to evolve to better serve the needs of traditional manufacturing in global industry. For example, 3DPrint.com reported on the new ExOne Production Metal Cost Calculator which provides manufacturers with a per-part estimate for binder jetting a metal component. Manufacturers can use the calculator to rapidly compare the cost of ExOne’s metal AM to traditional manufacturing costs.

For metal AM to displace traditional manufacturing methods in big industries like aerospace and automotive, there are many factors to consider, including part liability, percentage of reused metal AM powder, the age and maintenance of metal AM printers and the critical nature of the build path. Despite these challenges, metal AM is coming for traditional manufacturing over the next decade.

Relying on ingenuity and 3D printing technology, 18-year old William Paterson University freshman Nicholas Montesano created a COVID-inspired chessboard for his 3D Design class. The “COVID-19 Quarantine Essentials” themed chess set combines two topics that dominated 2020: cleaning and disinfection practices to tackle the coronavirus disease and a global chess boom inspired by the hit Netflix show The Queen’s Gambit.

As part of the final project portfolio for the 3D Design class at the university’s College of the Arts and Communication, Professor HyukJae Henry Yoo assigned students to develop, fabricate, and present a themed chessboard. The objective was to integrate 3D modeling and fabrication methods while applying 3D visual aesthetic principles learned in class. Montesano, who is currently enrolled as an art student, immediately began working on a few concepts. His final COVID-inspired chess design competed against two other themes he had envisioned: popular cartoon characters and famous skyscrapers.

Created with Autodesk’s Maya 3D software and a MakerBot printer on campus, Montesano’s chess set pieces are unique. Players can go head-to-head in an ultimate “enhanced cleaning” duel with the highly detailed miniature recreation of essential cleaning and protective equipment. The 32 custom 3D printed chess pieces stand out in red and white over the 64-space, 16 x 16-inch wooden playing board.

The Red and White teams feature masks as pawns, Clorox spray bottles as knights, toilet paper as the bishops, hand gloves as rooks, Lysol aerosol spray cans as the kings, and Purell hand sanitizer as the queens. Montesano brought the pieces to life using Maya’s 3D modeling tools and realistic effects, then used the university’s 3DPrinter OS platform to share his 3D files with the 3D printing lab in the school’s Cheng Library, in New Jersey. The site has a large selection of 3D printers. Montesano’s pieces were printed with a MakerBot Replicator 5th generation desktop 3D printer, the student explained to 3DPrint.com.

Montesano said that due to COVID-19 restrictions, students were required to submit the pieces virtually for printing and couldn’t go in-person to “see the 3D printers in their glory.” But he got a glimpse of the machines when picking up the pieces and was thrilled with the results, which took two weeks to complete, including the unlimited options for customization. Although this was Montesano’s first time using the technology, he has plans for more 3D printing projects as soon as classes resume.

The inspiration for the set design and colors was a first aid box and first aid “+” logos, which are cleverly detailed onto the board. He also applied social distancing stickers to 16 squares on each side of the board. Montesano physically built the chess set box at home using wood, spray paints, and custom printed adhesives. The customized set also doubles as a storage box to avoid losing any pieces. Overall, the colorfully vibrant, eye-catching configuration of the set design makes it contemporary and original. The young creator said he wanted to copyright the chess set and potentially license it to large toy companies, like Hasbro, but still needs to raise the money to pay for the copyright fees.

Although still a freshman, Montesano plans to major in Industrial and Product Design. The self-described entrepreneur has been quite busy. As founder and Editor-in-Chief of footwear news and review website TheSneakerBrief.com, he gets to wear test sneakers and write articles on the latest sneaker news and release dates. He has also designed an auto-lacing medical shoe for healthcare workers who have to spend hours at the hospital amid an unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. With so many innovative approaches to designing everyday products, Montesano said he is very “passionate about designing and creating innovative products with a function and purpose to help people.” By mixing his passion for art, design, and healthcare, the student is on the right path to becoming an entrepreneur.

Material extrusion like fused deposition modeling (FDM) is the most popular polymer 3D printing technology, but resins are resonating among consumers. Resin-based techniques, like stereolithography (SLA), used to only appear in dental labs, engineering departments, and manufacturing facilities thanks to their higher cost. Now that these machines are more affordable, more casual users are considering SLA, raising questions about their safety.

Unlike FDM, resin printers use photosensitive liquids to print, hardening these materials with UV light. While these liquid resins can create highly detailed prints, they may present more potential health risks than filaments. This toxicity may scare some users away, but resin printing can be potentially safe if you follow the right steps.

What Potential Risks Do Resins Pose?

The word “toxic” can be frightening, but by the definitions created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, any substance that’s suspected of causing injury or illness under some conditions is “toxic.” Under that definition, a lot of everyday materials are potentially toxic, including some perfumes and mattress foams. So, what are the specific hazards with printing resins?

Many resins are sensitizers, which means prolonged exposure can cause you to develop a mild allergic reaction. The chemicals that make up most resins are irritants, which cause dermatitis, a skin inflammation from your body rejecting foreign material. Your skin also absorbs these chemicals quickly, so if you get enough on yourself, it can lead to more severe reactions.

Another health concern with 3D printing resins is air contamination. Resin gives off fumes, potentially compromising your indoor air quality (IQA). Poor IQA can result in fatigue and headaches or more severe reactions like breathing problems. These reactions come from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other small particles, which elicit an inflammatory response from your respiratory system, leading to swelling or increased sensitivity.

Long-term effects from working with resins are rare but not unheard of. If you work around these fumes for extended periods, it could cause lasting issues with your respiratory system. Some of the VOCs resins emit are suspected carcinogens, so there’s a chance they could cause cancer after prolonged exposure. Similarly, continued physical contact can lead to allergies.

Manufacturer Standards and Guidelines

On the positive side, most resins you can get on the market won’t pose a substantial risk. The companies that make these materials must meet government standards and may comply with additional regulations like ISO 9001, too. These guidelines ensure the chemicals these companies produce are minimally harmful. However, some chemicals like asphalt fumes and synthetic mineral fibers used in fiberglass, are still used prevalently and over half a million workers have been exposed.

Resin manufacturers also typically provide a material safety data sheet (MSDS) that outlines any possible health and safety concerns, such as corneal burns from overexposure of the eyes or nausea and vomiting from ingestion. If your resin didn’t come with one, you can ask the manufacturer and they’ll give it to you. These documents provide the resources you need to stay safe while using these materials.

You should always look for allergy information in an MSDS, since some people have allergic reactions to touching resins or breathing in the fumes. As a result, some resins could be more dangerous to some users than others. If you don’t know if you have any material allergies, act as if you do, and handle everything with caution.

Steps to Ensure Resin Printing Safety

Several authorities have conducted studies on 3D resin printing safety. These have all found that long-term emissions from printing are mostly negligible, although if you don’t follow the proper precaution, there are risks. Since studies have found traces of hazardous materials in resin printing environments, you should follow safety guidelines.

3D printing resins may not be as dangerous as they first seem, but you should still take precautions with them. Above all else, remember to avoid direct contact with the liquid resin with any part of your body. You should always wear protective goggles and nitrile or latex gloves to ensure nothing gets in your eyes or on your hands.

You should also make sure your workspace is well-ventilated so you don’t breathe in the fumes. Ventilation is a critical consideration with any 3D printer, but especially for resin printers. Working under a ventilation hood is the best option, but if that’s not practical or affordable, you can work near an open window with a fan.

Before you even open a container of resin, read the manufacturer’s MSDS. If there are any special considerations for that particular material, you’ll find them there. Finally, don’t dispose of leftover resin by pouring it down the drain, which could harm the environment. Either absorb it with a manufacturer-recommended material or cure it with UV light until it hardens.

Resin Printing Is Safe If You Follow the Proper Precautions

When you know what risks resins present, you’ll know how to take care around them. While 3D printing resins are toxic, you don’t have to worry about them if you follow these safety procedures. With the right precautions, there’s no reason to avoid resin printing.

We’re starting things off with a little construction 3D printing in today’s News Briefs, and then moving on to business. The first 3D printed, functional villa in the Middle East was recently completed, while a construction company reported that it had 3D printed a building with reinforcement for the first time in India. Finally, ASTM International has welcomed a new board member. Read on for all the details!

Functional 3D Printed Villa in the UAE

According to Construction Week, the first functional 3D printed villa in the Middle East was constructed in just two weeks, thanks to Dutch 3D printing company CyBe Construction and its mobile 3D printer with fast-drying concrete mortar. The design of the Sharjah 24 house, located at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park (SRTI Park), is meant to emulate the architectural heritage of the United Arab Emirates, which declared in 2016 that it was working towards a goal of having 25% of the buildings in Dubai 3D printed by the year 2030. The 3D printed villa project is part of a collaboration between the UAE’s academic, government, and private sectors in an effort to increase the status of Sharjah, which borders Dubai to the south, as a “preferred destination for cutting-edge building techniques and forward-thinking architecture.” The American University of Sharjah, several international universities in Finland, and research institutions in the Netherlands and other countries all contributed to the Sharjah 24 house project.

“This type of construction has many advantages such as easy access to complex designs, with capabilities for simple modification and access to parts of different sizes. This resulted in shorter duration of construction and lots of savings,” said HE Hussain Al Mahmoudi, the CEo of SRTI Park.

“We aspire, through this project, to strengthen the emirate’s position as a centre for research and innovation in the world.”

3D Printed Two-Story Building in India

Speaking of 3D printing houses, L&T Construction, the construction arm of $21 billion Indian conglomerate Larsen & Toubro, announced that it had 3D printed an entire reinforced, two-story building for the first time in India. The 700 sq foot building was constructed at the company’s Kanchipuram facility out of a concrete mix developed in-house with indigenously available construction materials, and is in line with the country’s aggressive objective of building 600 million houses in India through the “Housing for All by 2022” program. L&T Construction used vertical reinforcement bar and horizontal distributors made from welded mesh for the 3D printed building, so it optimizes costs and meets provisions in the Indian Codes. The company claims that the entire building, with the exception of the horizontal slab members, was 3D printed within 106 printing hours (not total hours) in situ at the job site, but as always, we remain skeptical, though I do appreciate the company making the distinction between total hours and 3D printing hours.

M.V. Satish, L&T Construction’s Whole Time Director & Senior Executive Vice President (Buildings), said, “3D concrete printing is one of the technology disruptors with the potential to radically redefine construction methodologies and I am extremely happy that by demonstrating our growing expertise in 3D printing, we are well positioned to push the boundaries of automated robotic construction.

“3D printing will not only accelerate the pace of construction but also significantly improve build quality.”

Boeing Technical Fellow Joins ASTM International’s Board

Non-profit organization ASTM International, which works to serve global societal needs by integrating consensus standards and services, has a board of directors made up of 25 leaders, some outside the US, from many different associations, companies, and government bodies. Christopher R. Reid, an associate technical fellow in human factors and ergonomics for Boeing’s Environment, Health, and Safety organization in South Carolina, has just joined the organization’s board of directors for a three-year term.

Reid has been a member of ASTM International since 2017, and has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology from the University of Central Florida, in addition to doctoral and master’s degrees in industrial engineering. He is a member of several ASTM International committees, including its F42 committee on additive manufacturing technologies, which was formed roughly a decade ago and will be convening to review and advance an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) document that’s working to create an international, dual-logo ASTM and ISO standard.