Objective: To report our experience in the use of three dimensional (3D) models generated within a matter of hours by a hospital-based stereolithographic printer to contour plates for the acute repair of complex craniofacial fractures. Material and Methods: Axial CTs of craniofacial fractures were obtained at 1.5 mm section intervals. Data from CTs were transformed using software for interactive segmentation of the images into a format compatible with a 3D printer. The printer injects a binding fluid into successive layers of a fusible powder 0.08 - 0.25mm in thickness to create rigid 3D models within 2 – 3 hours. Surgery was then performed on these models to replicate the fracture patterns. Model fractures were reduced and plates were contoured to the outlines of the repaired fractures. These pre-bent plates could then be used for rigid fixation of craniofacial fractures using the model as a reference to guide placement of the plates and screws during surgery. The time required for surgery was reduced dramatically in each case by the use of plates contoured accurately to fit the reduced fracture prior to surgery. Conclusions: Local 3-D printing of fracture models in hospital provides a highly efficient and cost-effective method for the preparation of contoured plates that reduce the time for surgical repair and enhance the accuracy of fixation.