Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, has revolutionized manufacturing across various industries by enabling the production of complex geometries with unparalleled customization and reduced waste. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the AM workflow, including design, modeling, slicing, printing, and post-processing. It explores various AM technologies such as material extrusion, VAT polymerization, material jetting, binder jetting, selective laser sintering, and more, discussing their principles, advantages, disadvantages, material compatibilities, applications, and future trends. The paper highlights the transformative impact of AM on global manufacturing, emphasizing ongoing challenges and promising innovations, such as 3D bioprinting, 3D food printing, large-scale 3D printing, 4D printing, and AI-based AM technologies. Despite current limitations in speed, material variety, and post-processing, AM continues to advance, driven by advancements in materials, technology, and software, making it a pivotal technology in the manufacturing revolution.Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, has revolutionized manufacturing across various industries by enabling the production of complex geometries with unparalleled customization and reduced waste. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the AM workflow, including design, modeling, slicing, printing, and post-processing. It explores various AM technologies such as material extrusion, VAT polymerization, material jetting, binder jetting, selective laser sintering, and more, discussing their principles, advantages, disadvantages, material compatibilities, applications, and future trends. The paper highlights the transformative impact of AM on global manufacturing, emphasizing ongoing challenges and promising innovations, such as 3D bioprinting, 3D food printing, large-scale 3D printing, 4D printing, and AI-based AM technologies. Despite current limitations in speed, material variety, and post-processing, AM continues to advance, driven by advancements in materials, technology, and software, making it a pivotal technology in the manufacturing revolution.