3D printing refers to the manufacturing process in which a three-dimensional digital model can be transformed into a physical model by layering material in the shape of successive cross sections atop of previously layers. Its use in the field of medicine, especially in spine surgery, has increased dramatically over the last ten years. Rapid prototyping allows surgeons and physicians to personalize health care, using the patient’s advanced medical imaging, such as computed-tomography (CT), to create physical bio-models and patient-specific guides (PSGs). The main application of this in spinal surgery is the transfer of a carefully pre-planned screw position and size to a physical guide (also called jig or template). This guide exactly fits exactly to the unique anatomy of each individual patient, which theoretically increases precision. This technology can assist in complex spinal conditions requiring surgery such as ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis.