Abstract: 3D metal printing process for producing a spatial metal product essentially from a metal powder or metal filaments as starting material, the powder or the filaments being built up layer by layer by applying layers of starting material to a respective previously produced layer and selective local heating of predetermined points of the layer above a sintering or melting temperature of the powder and sintering or fusing of the molten points with the underlying layer and optional annealing of the points. wherein at least the respective newly applied starting material layer is pre-heated and/or post-treated for thermal stress compensation following the local heating of the predetermined points by means of two-dimensional irradiation of IR radiation in such a way that a radiation spot with an area of at least 5 mm2, more particularly of more than 20 mm2 and even more particularly of more than 100 mm2, is formed on the surface of the starting material layer.