TCT Magazine

What TCT Magazine does

TCT Magazine is a privately held B2B media brand and events business focused on the additive manufacturing (3D printing) industry, published by Rapid News Publications Ltd., a UK-registered private limited company within the Rapid News Group, headquartered in Stafford, United Kingdom. Its core product is a flagship digital and print publication delivering daily news, in-depth features, executive interviews, and member-only editorial content, supplemented by the Additive Insight podcast (distributed via SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify), the TCT AM Machine Guide 2026, and a portfolio of live industry events including RAPID + TCT (described as North America's largest industrial 3D printing event), TCT Shenzhen, TCT 3Sixty, the Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing R&D Summit 2026, 'From Concept to Certified' medtech, and 'Design at Elevation' (Wohlers Associates powered by ASTM). The underlying technology stack is a Ghost-CMS web publishing platform with a members portal and dedicated event platforms, supported by distribution across 14+ social channels.

The business operates a three-stream revenue model: (i) recurring subscription revenue from the TCT Executive Membership program (delivering four print issues/year, 12 Deep Dive reports, members-only podcasts, and VIP event access); (ii) advertising and sponsorship revenue from display ads, sponsored 'From our partners' content, and Machine Guide placements; and (iii) event revenue from sponsorships, exhibitor fees, and tickets. Customer segments are diversified across Aerospace & Defence, Healthcare & Medical, Industrial & Heavy Engineering, AM Software & Service Providers, Transport & Automotive, and Creative & Consumer verticals. The company is privately held, reports 1-10 employees, has not disclosed funding rounds or revenue, and operates as a wholly-owned branded subsidiary of the privately held Rapid News Group, with no public listing or external shareholders referenced.

Name

TCT Magazine

Legal name

Rapid News Publications Ltd.

Website

https://tctmagazine.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TCT Magazine is a privately held UK-based B2B media and events brand serving the additive manufacturing (3D printing) industry through a flagship publication, paid Executive Membership, the Additive Insight podcast, the AM Machine Guide, and global events including RAPID + TCT, TCT Shenzhen, and TCT 3Sixty.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Additive Manufacturing Trade Media

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (513120), Directory and Mailing List Publishers (51314), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive & Transportation Magazines (MPAJAEAI)

Keywords

• Additive manufacturing media
• 3D printing news
• AM industry intelligence
• Industrial 3D printing
• AM events conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Stafford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership / Subscription: Recurring revenue from TCT Executive Membership program offering premium content (four print magazine issues annually, 12 Deep Dive reports per year, bonus members-only podcasts) and VIP event access. Some content gated behind 'Members Only' and 'Paid-only' tags.
2. Advertising / Sponsorship: Display advertising, sponsored content ('From our partners' section), featured suppliers (TCT AM Machine Guide 2026 placements), event sponsorships, and whitepaper promotion. Site lists an 'Advertise' navigation link.
3. Events / Conferences: Revenue from flagship industry events including RAPID + TCT (North America's largest industrial 3D printing event), TCT Shenzhen 2026 (third edition), TCT 3Sixty, Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing R&D Summit 2026, 'From Concept to Certified' medtech event, and 'Design at Elevation' (Wohlers Associates powered by ASTM).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TCT Magazine is a B2B trade media brand covering the additive manufacturing and 3D printing industry, publishing daily news, in-depth features, deep dive reports, and a premium print magazine for paying Executive Members. Its core commercial offerings include subscription membership, display and sponsored advertising (including the TCT AM Machine Guide), and a portfolio of flagship industry events (RAPID + TCT, TCT 3Sixty, TCT Shenzhen), supported by the Additive Insight podcast.

Product overview

TCT Magazine operates as a unified media-and-events brand within the additive manufacturing (3D printing) sector, published by Rapid News Publications Ltd. At its core is the TCT Magazine publication (available in digital and print), which anchors a portfolio of named offerings: the TCT Executive Membership (premium intelligence tier), the Additive Insight podcast, the TCT AM Machine Guide (industry reference), Digital Editions of the magazine, and a portfolio of live events including RAPID + TCT, TCT 3Sixty, and TCT Shenzhen. Together these form a platform-plus-modules structure where the editorial publication is the central content engine and the membership, podcast, machine guide, digital editions, and event brands are extensions that serve different audience segments (executives, practitioners, equipment buyers, and event attendees) within the same industry vertical.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Additive Insight: TCT's original additive manufacturing podcast.
• RAPID + TCT
• TCT 3Sixty
• TCT Shenzhen

Products and services

• TCT Magazine Publication Flagship B2B trade publication covering additive manufacturing and 3D printing, available in digital and print formats, providing daily news, in-depth features, and editorial coverage for AM industry professionals.
• TCT Executive Membership
• Additive Insight Podcast Flagship TCT podcast described as 'the original additive manufacturing podcast,' featuring CEO interviews, industry analysis, and AM ecosystem discussions; distributed across SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
• TCT AM Machine Guide Online comparison tool cataloguing additive manufacturing machines and production systems, allowing users to compare and select next AM hardware. Featured suppliers include 3D Systems, EOS, BLT, Axtra3D, AM-Flow, Impossible Objects, JEOL, Extrude Hone, and 3D MicroPrint.
• RAPID + TCT Conference and Exhibition Co-branded flagship North American conference and exhibition for additive manufacturing, described as North America's largest industrial 3D printing event. Includes awards program and serves as the primary AM industry gathering in the region.
• TCT 3Sixty UK-focused additive manufacturing industry event and exhibition operated by TCT as part of its events portfolio.
• TCT Shenzhen Annual additive manufacturing industry event held in Shenzhen, China; TCT Shenzhen 2026 is the third edition, serving as the regional AM event for Southern China.
• TCT Digital Editions Digital versions of the TCT Magazine print issues, providing online access to current and past editions of the publication.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 Deep Dive reports per year plus four issues of premium print magazine for Executive Members
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2026SME and TCT jointly held their first combined awards ceremony, 'Celebrating AM Achievement,' at the RAPID + TCT 2026 conference in Boston. The ceremony recognised innovators in additive manufacturing across materials, hardware, software, applications, and leadership categories, including individual honours (TCT Hall of Fame and SME AM Industry Achievement Award).
• Wohlers Associates powered by ASTMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWohlers Associates, powered by ASTM, presents 'Design at Elevation,' a course in Design for Additive Manufacturing held in Frisco, Colorado. Listed as a partner event on TCT's homepage alongside other flagship conferences.
• SMFcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTCT and SMF jointly introduce the 3D Printing Rising Star award; most recent winner (18 June 2026) is Neil Doherty, age 14, the youngest winner yet, recognised for his progress in 3D printing.
• 3D SystemscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured supplier in the TCT AM Machine Guide 2026; major advertiser/partner with TCT content. Listed as a machine guide partner alongside other leading manufacturers.
• EOScoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured supplier in the TCT AM Machine Guide 2026; major advertiser/partner with TCT content.
• BLT (Bright Laser Technologies)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured supplier in the TCT AM Machine Guide 2026.
• Axtra3DminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured supplier in the TCT AM Machine Guide 2026.
• AM-FlowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured supplier in the TCT AM Machine Guide 2026.
• Impossible ObjectsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured supplier in the TCT AM Machine Guide 2026.
• JEOLminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured supplier in the TCT AM Machine Guide 2026.
• Extrude HoneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured supplier in the TCT AM Machine Guide 2026.
• 3D MicroPrintminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured supplier in the TCT AM Machine Guide 2026.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers): Established US manufacturing professional society that owns the RAPID + TCT event and now co-programs AM awards with TCT. Overlapping audience of manufacturing engineers and AM professionals, and increasingly a direct co-producer of TCT's flagship event.
• Additive Manufacturing Media (SME): SME-owned trade media brand covering additive manufacturing and now co-programming RAPID + TCT awards with TCT. Direct editorial and audience overlap, and a strategic co-host of the RAPID + TCT event franchise.

Direct peers

• 3DPrint.com: Long-running digital AM news and analysis site covering hardware, materials, software, and applications. Directly comparable to TCT as a daily AM news destination competing for the same reader and advertiser base.
• IDTechEx: Research and events firm with deep coverage of 3D printing alongside adjacent advanced manufacturing and emerging-tech verticals. Competes for AM market intelligence subscriptions, sponsor relationships, and conference attendance.
• SmarTech Analysis: Specialist AM market research and advisory firm publishing industry reports and forecasts. Competes with TCT's paid intelligence products (Deep Dive reports, membership) for AM decision-maker wallet share.
• 3D Printing Industry: One of the largest dedicated 3D printing / additive manufacturing trade publications. Directly competes with TCT Magazine for AM-industry editorial audience, news coverage, podcast listenership, and vendor sponsorship dollars.
• Wohlers Associates (powered by ASTM): Premier AM industry consultancy and publisher of the Wohlers Report, the AM industry's benchmark reference. Co-presents 'Design at Elevation' with TCT and competes for AM intelligence, advisory, and education revenue.

Emerging players

• Engineering.com: Broader engineering media brand that covers additive manufacturing alongside CNC, design, and simulation topics. Competes for AM mindshare and ad revenue across a wider manufacturing audience.

Others

• ASTM International: Standards body whose F42 committee defines AM standards globally and now powers Wohlers Associates, TCT's Design at Elevation co-host. Strategically adjacent to TCT as the institutional backbone for AM standardisation that shapes TCT's editorial agenda.

Regional players

• Plastixx (Plastics News / Recycling Today parent): Trade media brand covering plastics, polymers, and recycling - adjacent verticals with significant overlap into AM polymer materials, bioprinting, and creative / consumer 3D printing applications relevant to TCT's audience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@tctmagazine
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.tctmagazine.com
• Instagraminstagram.com/tctmagazine
• TikToktiktok.com/@tctmagazine
• Xx.com/TheTCTMagazine
• Facebookfacebook.com/thetctmagazine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TCT Magazine