'3D-printed' originates from modern English, specifically a compound of '3D' (an abbreviation of 'three-dimensional') and 'printed' (the past participle of 'print'). '3D' itself is short for 'three-dimensional' (English), and 'print' ultimately derives from earlier words meaning to press or impress.

'3D-printed' developed as a shortened form of phrases like 'three-dimensional printed' or 'three-dimensionally printed' once the abbreviation '3D' became widespread in the late 20th century. The compound became common vocabulary with the rise of 3D printing (additive manufacturing) technologies in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Originally, 'printed' primarily referred to producing text or images by pressing ink onto a surface. Over time, especially with new technologies, the sense broadened to include objects produced by layer-by-layer additive processes; thus '3D-printed' now specifically denotes items made by 3D printing.