Abstract:Based on the indicators "cluster", "landmark article", "burst reference" and "burst Keywords", 2769 literatures searched from SCI core database in 1995-2016 about 3D printing theme were analyzed to explore the research hotspots and its evolution of 3D printing with the scientific knowledge mapping software CitespaceIII. The results show that: (1) hotspots appeared first in 1993, grow rapidly from 2005, and peaked in 2013; (2) hotspots mainly include "medical scaffold, organ and drug", "rapid prototyping", "additive manufacturing" and etc. also appeared in "ultrasonic consolidation ", "sintering" and "metal matrix composites " and other technical aspects; (3) the hotspots in "medical field" appeared the earliest, and remain extremely active; (4) "additive manufacturing", "3D bioprinting", Ti-6Al-4V technology such as big data" may be the hotspots in the future. The research can promote the theory development of 3D printing, help researchers to determine the research direction and focus on 3D printing, and provide a reference for enterprises and government to plan the industry development of 3D printing.