How Manufacturers Boost ROI by Combining 2D and 3D Product Marketing

The Reality

Around 85% of industrial marketers have a defined strategy (Industrial Sage). Most include social media, direct mail, trade shows, and online content — all the right building blocks.

But only 26% of manufacturers say their content marketing generates a positive ROI (Content Marketing Institute). The effort is there, but the return often isn’t.

The Missing Piece

It’s not that these strategies are wrong — they’re essential. The issue is that traditional visuals don’t always show enough detail for complex products.

Two-dimensional content remains vital. Product photography and renders still form the backbone of manufacturing marketing. But when you’re selling precision machinery or complex systems, buyers often need a clearer view. That’s where 3D product models add another layer — helping prospects see, understand, and remember what makes your product different.

Seeing Products as They Really Are

With MarTech3D | Engine, manufacturers can create 3D product models and 3D product images alongside their existing 2D assets.

Digital twin technology captures every detail — from exterior design to internal components — so buyers can explore the product on your website, at events, or in sales meetings. These interactive visuals make complex products easier to understand and much faster to explain.

A Better Sales Experience

Manufacturing is more competitive than ever, and buyers are changing the way they engage:

• 59% of B2B buyers say they’re frustrated by traditional sales pitches (Vonage).
• 80% expect a more interactive, B2C-style experience (GitNux).

When buyers can explore a 3D product model, they don’t just understand it — they retain it. And that matters when 75% of information is forgotten within six days (Harvard Business Review).

High-quality visuals also influence perception. A premium marketing experience creates the sense of a premium product.

Closing the ROI Gap

At the end of the day, ROI defines success. Most manufacturers know theirs could be higher, and 3D marketing assets are proving to close that gap.

MarTech3D | Engine gives marketing and sales teams the tools to combine 2D and 3D visuals across every channel — creating consistent, high-impact content that drives understanding and conversions. Many clients report a minimum 10x ROI once 3D assets become part of their campaigns.

The Takeaway

Strong manufacturing marketing isn’t about replacing 2D with 3D. It’s about using both together — realistic images for familiarity, interactive models for clarity.
With MarTech3D | Engine, manufacturers can build both quickly, reuse them everywhere, and finally see the ROI their products deserve.

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