3D printers empower individuals to create unique shapes (mostly using polymers - pla filament).

At this point in time, the 3d printed part would be the lamp shade/ cover.

The electrical part - led emitters, resistors, capacitors, ... still have to be assembled by hand or purchased off the shelf (commercial off the shelf or COTS).

David, do you think 3D printed lamps are more or less expensive than regular lamps

It is a matter of perspective.

If you're comparing only the cost of the spools of filament needed to build a shade to the price you'd pay to get a designer lighting fixture, it may be cheaper.

On the other hand, if you consider the following

1. cost of time spent designing a similar shade, figuring out how to build it on a 3D printer and then attach it to an existing fixture.

2. cost of the 3D printer.

3. CAD software.

4. cost of time spent tending to the 3D printer.

5. cost of filament spent on the prototypes...

it will be significantly more costly than getting COTS.

The main reason for complex DIY is usually for exercising one's talents/ expanding scope of knowledge and abilities.

A reason why DIY gets a bad rap is due to the quick, superficial analysis (of what it would take to complete a job be it painting, installing a door, making a multi-way circuit, ...) made and the lack of follow through to completion.