What is the marked difference between a 3D printer and a normal printer?

[Trush Jodie]

I have seen many businesses that offer 3D printing services. In fact, they publicize their 3D printing as an edge over other printing outfits that don't have 3D printing. What is the real difference between a 3D printer and normal printer?

 

[Kross]

3D printers use filament to print instead of ink. The filament could be plastic or ceramic depending on the printer.

 

[arunima25]

A normal printer uses ink. 3D printers have filaments, they are mainly thermoplastic that melt and print layer by layer giving a 3 D impression. Filaments can have other materials too like ceramic

 

[eLdavis]

3D printers is often used to create physical three dimensional objects, why normal printers are for prints on paper.