You need to explain to the artisan what you need done. This person has to understand you. This take time and money.
The effort I make explaining what I need to an artisan is completely lost if I change the artisan.
With a 3D printer, you create a design that is a product in itself. It can be repeated ad infinitum. The work I do today improving the design is work I will not have to do tomorrow.
I routinely send designs to people living 2000 miles away. They print it and can play with it the same day.