A quick, keyword-rich intro
- If you’re searching for the best 3D printing courses Toronto 2025, this guide compares top 3D printing, additive manufacturing, and rapid-prototyping classes and workshops across the city. Below you’ll find a curated comparison table, detailed course summaries, practical buying/advice tips, best picks by profile, and a short FAQ to help you pick the right training fast.
Top 5 comparison — quick view
| Course / Provider | Best for | Format | Duration | Price (2025) | Credential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Brown College — Advanced Manufacturing Practices & Sustainability (micro-credential) | Professionals learning additive manufacturing + sustainability | Online / blended continuing-ed | Short micro-credential (single course length) | Moderate — continuing-ed fees / micro-credential pricing varies. Price (2025): see provider. (coned.georgebrown.ca) | Micro-credential / digital badge. Credential: digital badge. (coned.georgebrown.ca) |
| Toronto Metropolitan University — GCM 750 (3D Printing) | Degree students or credit learners wanting academic 3D printing fundamentals | On-campus lecture + lab | Semester course (weekly lab + lecture) | Tuition as per TMU term fees. Price (2025): check TMU schedule. (torontomu.ca) | Credit course (GPA weight). Credential: course credit on transcript. (torontomu.ca) |
| Toronto Public Library — Digital Innovation Hub: Introduction to 3D Printing | Beginners, hobbyists, community learners | In-person drop-in workshops (library hubs) | 1–2 hour workshops / recurring sessions | Usually free or low-cost. Price (2025): often free. (eventbrite.ca) | No formal certificate (library workshop). Credential: attendance / skills only. (eventbrite.ca) |
| MakeLab (Toronto) — 3D printing studio/drop-in & training | Hands-on makers, designers wanting printer time + coaching | In-person drop-in / paid sessions | Drop-in slots / short trainings (hours) | Hourly/drop-in rates; workshop fees vary. Price (2025): per session. (betakit.com) | No formal academic credential; access/training sign-off. (betakit.com) |
| Site 3 coLaboratory / Toronto Tool Library — Makerspace classes | Artists, makers, community learners who want equipment access + classes | In-person maker classes + memberships | Multi-week classes or single workshops | Low-to-moderate (membership + class fees). Price (2025): varies. (blogto.com) | No formal college credential; workshop completion / member sign-off. (blogto.com) |
How we selected these options
- Focus: Toronto-based offerings with regular 3D-printing training in 2025 (municipal, college, university, and makerspace options).
- Criteria: hands-on access, instructor support, credential type (credit / micro-credential / badge / workshop), and availability to public or students.
- Sources: official course pages, library program listings and local makerspace coverage. (coned.georgebrown.ca)
H2: Best 3D printing courses & training in Toronto — full details
H3: 1) George Brown College — Advanced Manufacturing Practices & Sustainability (micro-credential)
- Overview: George Brown’s continuing-education micro-credential covers next‑gen manufacturing topics including additive manufacturing (3D printing), cyber security for Industry 4.0, and sustainability practices. It’s designed for working professionals seeking targeted, applied skills. (coned.georgebrown.ca)
- Best for: Professionals and technologists who want a short, industry-focused credential.
- Highlights: Combines 3D printing theory, design-to-fabrication pipeline, and sustainable production practices; earns a digital badge. (coned.georgebrown.ca)
- Price (2025): Fees vary by continuing-ed program and intake — expect moderate continuing-ed pricing; check George Brown’s site for current fees. Price (2025): see provider. (coned.georgebrown.ca)
- Duration: Short micro-credential (single-course length or modular short course). (coned.georgebrown.ca)
- Level: Beginner → Intermediate (applied professional).
- Format: Online / blended (course materials + labs where applicable). (coned.georgebrown.ca)
- Location: George Brown campuses / online (Toronto). (coned.georgebrown.ca)
- Credential: Micro-credential / digital badge on completion. (coned.georgebrown.ca)
H3: 2) Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) — GCM 750: 3D Printing (credit course)
- Overview: TMU (formerly Ryerson) lists GCM 750 3D Printing in its 2025–2026 calendar: a semester course that introduces 3D scanning, software/workflow, materials and different 3D printing technologies; includes lab and lecture components. (torontomu.ca)
- Best for: University students seeking credit-bearing coursework and structured lab time.
- Highlights: Academic credit (GPA weight), formal curriculum, and hands-on lab sessions with instructor supervision. (torontomu.ca)
- Price (2025): Charged as part of TMU tuition for the semester — check TMU fees for the term. Price (2025): see TMU calendar/tuition. (torontomu.ca)
- Duration: Semester-long (weekly lecture + lab). (torontomu.ca)
- Level: Introductory (suitable for beginners within a degree program).
- Format: On-campus lecture + lab. (torontomu.ca)
- Location: Toronto Metropolitan University (campus). (torontomu.ca)
- Credential: Course credit on official transcript (GPA-weighted). (torontomu.ca)
H3: 3) Toronto Public Library — Digital Innovation Hubs: Introduction to 3D Printing
- Overview: TPL’s Digital Innovation Hubs run regular Introduction to 3D Printing workshops and drop-in sessions across branches (Prusa/PrusaSlicer instruction and hands-on demo). Great low-cost community access to printers. (eventbrite.ca)
- Best for: Absolute beginners, hobbyists, families, and learners who want free/very low-cost hands‑on time.
- Highlights: Short 1-hour sessions, practical slicer training (PrusaSlicer), and guidance for using library 3D-print services. Customers often can use hub services after training. (eventbrite.ca)
- Price (2025): Often free (library-run), some branches may charge small materials or printing fees; check event listings. Price (2025): usually free. (eventbrite.ca)
- Duration: 1–2 hours (single workshop or drop-in). (eventbrite.ca)
- Level: Beginner.
- Format: In-person workshop at Toronto Reference Library / Digital Innovation Hub branches. (eventbrite.ca)
- Location: Toronto Public Library branches (Digital Innovation Hubs). (eventbrite.ca)
- Credential: No formal certificate — community workshop attendance and practical skills. (eventbrite.ca)
H3: 4) MakeLab (Toronto) — 3D printing studio & drop-ins
- Overview: MakeLab promotes itself as a hands-on 3D printing studio in Toronto offering drop-ins, private sessions and short trainings — good for people who want frequent printer access plus coaching. (Local press and community write-ups describe MakeLab as a 3D‑printing-focused studio.) (betakit.com)
- Best for: Designers and makers who want repeated hands-on practice and access to a fleet of printers without buying equipment.
- Highlights: Pay-as-you-go drop-in printing, hourly rates or workshop fees, staff assistance for setup and troubleshooting. Ideal for prototyping and quick iteration. (betakit.com)
- Price (2025): Hourly/drop-in pricing or workshop fees; expect per-hour or per-print charges. Price (2025): varies by session. (betakit.com)
- Duration: Sessions typically a few hours; workshops vary by topic. (betakit.com)
- Level: Beginner → Intermediate (hands-on focus).
- Format: In-person studio/drop-in; booking recommended. (betakit.com)
- Location: MakeLab (Toronto). (betakit.com)
- Credential: No formal academic credential; staff sign-off or completion of orientation/training for space access. (betakit.com)
H3: 5) Site 3 coLaboratory / Toronto Tool Library — Makerspace classes & access
- Overview: Site 3 coLaboratory and the Toronto Tool Library are examples of Toronto makerspaces that offer 3D printing classes, tool orientations, membership access and community workshops. These spaces give both training and practical access to printers for members and drop-in learners. (blogto.com)
- Best for: Creatives, artists, community learners and hobbyists who want equipment access plus community workshops.
- Highlights: Membership + class model; combination of short workshops (resin/FDM orientation) and multi-week projects in some cases. Good value for sustained practice. (blogto.com)
- Price (2025): Membership fees + occasional class fees; varies by organization. Price (2025): low-to-moderate. (blogto.com)
- Duration: Single workshops (hours) or multi-week classes. (blogto.com)
- Level: Beginner → Intermediate.
- Format: In-person classes + member lab time. (blogto.com)
- Location: Downtown and neighbourhood makerspaces across Toronto. (blogto.com)
- Credential: Workshop completion / member sign-off; not a formal academic certificate. (blogto.com)
H2: How to choose the right 3D printing course (step-by-step)
- Identify your goal: prototyping/product development, art & design, or career upskilling. Choose credit courses (TMU) for formal academic credit, micro-credentials (George Brown) for professional upskilling, or makerspace/library workshops for low-cost hands-on practice. (torontomu.ca)
- Check format: Want lab time? Pick on-campus or makerspace options. Prefer self-paced? Look for online / blended micro-credentials. (coned.georgebrown.ca)
- Verify hardware & software: Confirm printers (FDM vs resin), slicer software taught (e.g., PrusaSlicer, Cura), and CAD tools (Fusion 360, Rhino, SolidWorks). Libraries often teach PrusaSlicer; colleges/universities teach CAD + lab workflows. (eventbrite.ca)
- Budget & credential: If you need a transcripted course for school/employer recognition, pick a credit course or micro-credential. For quick skills, use library/makerspace workshops. (torontomu.ca)
- Ask about outcomes: Will you get print time, a certificate, or a digital badge? Confirm exact deliverables with the provider before enrolling. (coned.georgebrown.ca)
H2: Best picks by profile
- Beginner hobbyist on a budget: Toronto Public Library Digital Innovation Hub workshops — low-cost, friendly intro. (eventbrite.ca)
- University student wanting credit: TMU GCM 750 — structured semester with labs and transcript credit. (torontomu.ca)
- Working professional / engineer: George Brown micro-credential in Advanced Manufacturing — targeted industry topics and a digital badge. (coned.georgebrown.ca)
- Designer who needs hands-on access: MakeLab drop-ins and private sessions — lots of printer time and support. (betakit.com)
- Artist or community maker: Site 3 coLaboratory or Toronto Tool Library — community classes, workshops and membership access. (blogto.com)
H2: FAQ
Contents
What is the best 3D printing course in Toronto?
- “Best” depends on your goal: for academic credit TMU (GCM 750) is ideal; for workplace micro-skills George Brown’s micro-credential targets additive manufacturing; for free/intro learning the Toronto Public Library is the best starting point. (torontomu.ca)
How much does 3D printing training cost in Toronto (2025)?
- Costs vary: public library workshops are often free, makerspace drop-ins are hourly or per-session, continuing-ed micro-credentials are moderate, and full university credit is charged as tuition. Always check the provider’s current 2025 fees before enrolling. (eventbrite.ca)
Do I need prior CAD or technical experience?
- Most beginner workshops require no prior experience; college/university courses may assume basic computer literacy but start with fundamentals. If you want rapid progress, start with a beginner library or makerspace workshop, then move to CAD-focused classes (Fusion 360, Rhino, SolidWorks). (eventbrite.ca)
Will I get a certificate or credit after a 3D printing course?
- It depends: university courses grant transcript credit (e.g., TMU GCM 750), micro-credentials can issue digital badges (George Brown), while makerspaces and libraries usually offer attendance or orientation sign-off rather than academic credit. Confirm with the provider. (torontomu.ca)
Final notes
- Toronto’s 3D printing scene in 2025 blends academic courses, professional micro-credentials, free community workshops, and hands-on makerspaces. Choose based on your learning goal — credit, industry skill, or practical access — and always confirm exact dates, prices and credential details on the provider’s site before you enroll. (coned.georgebrown.ca)
