The subject of the article is a comparison of new and used powder for 3D metal printing. The powder is 316L stainless steel manufactured by Renishaw. The powder used was taken from the RENISHAW AM250 printer after use. Powder manufacturer Renishaw recommends using 15-45 micron powder in their 3D metal printers. An important parameter of monitoring is the chemical composition of the metal powder and its changes during the thermal treatment during laser sintering. Another important parameter of a metal powder is its mechanical properties, which determine the flowability, consistency and uniformity of powder application. By using an inert atmosphere for sintering and storing the powder, these chemical changes can be prevented, especially against the formation of nitrides and oxides at elevated temperatures.