In connected lighting systems, the antenna is an important component for enabling reliable data transfer between lighting fixtures and the central control system. The antennas are usually placed inside the light fixture enclosure. In this study, communication signal attenuation due to different obstructions within and outside the light fixture was investigated, and shown that signal strength can be improved by placing the antenna outside the fixture enclosure. With 3D printing becoming a promising technology for manufacturing components for solid-state lighting fixtures, the authors of this paper investigated the feasibility of making 3D-printed antennas for connected lighting systems.