A variety of different additive manufacturing processes have been available for the last three decades. This paper investigates energy and material consumption using 3D colour printing 3DP and Fused Disposition Modelling FDM as example. On the basis of several measurements of energy consumption a comparison of the specific energy consumption with other generative technologies is fulfilled. In 3DP several variables, in which resource consumption can be reduced are investigated and compared. For example the influence of the geometry and the positioning of the part in the construction space on the consumption are investigated. But also the measuring of different batch sizes is compared. The FDM system offers the opportunity to choose from different filling methods in order to reduce materials consumption as well as manufacturing time and thereby costs. Therefore the achievable material strengths as well as the material and energy consumption of this FDM system are investigated. Furthermore an economic comparison of the filling methods is given. Using the results found, the use of 3DP and also FDM can initially be optimized so that less energy, resources and manufacturing time are required.