It didn't make it for the final release, but should be back later.

There are a few affordable ones... I am not sure how good they are though.  To be quite honest part of the reason for purchasing this game was the promise of printing my own fleet

I guess I will have to wait patiently for that feature to be released... looks like beyond 1.1

i can help you there (i am one of the owners of a 3d printer/printing shop in Rome) 

i think that one of the best affordable 3d printer is the xyz DaVinci Junior, it cost less than 350 euros and print really nice, the only downside is that it has a very small print volume (only 15x15x15cm)

or another good printer (but a little more expensive) is the DaVinci 1.1 it cost a little less than 800 euros but it makes very good prints and has a large print volume (20x20x20cm)

if you have some question regarding 3d printinting feel free to PM me

i cant wait for the release of this feature so i can print my fleet

I think i will use my own printer (my other associates would not be very pleased to see our shop full of my spaceship hahaha )

Do yourself a huge favor and avoid like the plague ANY 3D printer that requires proprietary cartridges/filament.  There are many amazing and reasonably priced printers out there that can use any of the many brands of filament, but many new start ups are trying to lock you in to buying their filament.  Not only does this mean you will pay more for your consumables (anywhere from 50% to 200% more), but it locks you out of many of the new  innovations in printable materials.   Not to mention your screwed if the company goes out of business and you cant buy filament anymore.