Laser-based Directed Energy Deposition of polymers (DED-LB/P) is a promising approach for additive manufacturing of near-net-shape components with a high degree of individualization. In this article, the manufacturability of polyamide 12 bulk structures using DED-LB/P in combination with a thulium laser operating at a wavelength of 1.94 µm is investigated for the first time. The typical absorption bands at this wavelength eliminate the need for additives such as carbon-based nanoparticles, which would narrow the range of applications. The generated structures were analyzed regarding porosity, thermal behavior and mechanical properties to evaluate the potential of DED-LB/P with a thulium laser. As a consequence of the evaporation of absorbed moisture or ethanol residues resulting from powder preparation, a thermal pretreatment of the polymer powder reduced the porosity of the DED-LB/P structures to 0.9 %. However, the thermal pretreatment led to process instability during powder feeding in DED-LB/P due to electrostatic charging of the powder particles. Depending on the processing parameters, degrees of crystallinity in the range of 25.6 to 29.9 % could be achieved in the generated structures. For the tensile tests, the required geometries were milled from the bulk structures produced with DED-LB/P. The results demonstrated remarkable mechanical properties, with an ultimate tensile strength of 52 MPa, an elongation at break of 58 % and a Young’s modulus of 1590 MPa.