The cost of 3D printing services is a frequent topic of discussion online. Specifically, many want to know how to calculate 3d Printing Rates when offering services or understanding project costs. With a lot of misinformation circulating, we aim to provide a detailed look into the factors influencing 3D printing pricing. If you’re looking to understand how to set the right price for a 3D print, or simply curious about the breakdown, this guide is for you. For those who prefer a quick answer, feel free to jump to the summary at the end!
Let’s consider a hypothetical example, meet Josef from Prague. Josef, in an effort to capitalize on the growing 3D printing trend, has invested in three printers: the popular Original Prusa i3 MK3S, the compact Original Prusa MINI, and the high-resolution Original Prusa SL1.
A customer has requested a quote from Josef to print this test object. The customer wants it printed using Prusament PLA Orange for the MK3s and MINI, and Prusa Orange Tough resin for the SL1. Let’s break down how Josef should calculate his 3D printing rates.
A vibrant orange 3D printed tree frog model, showcasing detail achievable with desktop 3D printing.
Breaking Down the Costs: Key Factors Influencing 3D Printing Rates
To accurately determine 3D printing rates, several cost components must be considered. These include material costs, manpower, machine operation, and desired profit margins. Let’s examine each in detail.
Material Costs: Filament and Resin Expenses
Josef understands that material and labor are the most significant cost drivers. Material costs are straightforward, directly tied to the price of filament or resin. For this example, Prusament PLA Orange costs $24.99 per kg (excluding tax and shipping). Using PrusaSlicer software, Josef determines that the tree frog model requires 6.27g of filament with standard settings (0.15mm layer height, 15% gyroid infill).
Therefore, the material cost for the tree frog on the MK3s or MINI is calculated as (24.99 / 1000 * 6.27) = $0.15. For the SL1, printing the frog without supports at a 0.05mm layer height consumes 10.43ml of resin, costing $0.60. It’s crucial to remember that material costs can vary widely; specialty filaments or high-performance resins can significantly increase expenses. Some materials exceed $90/kg for filament and $315/kg for resins, highlighting the impact material choice has on 3D printing rates.
Formula for Material Cost:
*Material Cost = (Filament/Resin Price / Filament/Resin Weight or Volume) Model Material Usage (Weight or Volume)**
Manpower Costs: Valuing Your Time
Josef values his time at $9.50 per hour, based on the average wage in the Czech Republic in 2020. He estimates print preparation, including slicing, takes about 5 minutes per print (doubling to 10 minutes if resin changes are needed for the SL1). This translates to a labor cost of approximately $0.80 for the MK3s/MINI and $1.60 for the SL1 per tree frog.
While simple models from online repositories have minimal prep time, many projects require more complex preparation. Slicing intricate models or designing custom supports for SLA printing can extend preparation time to 30 minutes or more. For projects requiring design work, labor costs can escalate significantly. Designing even a simple technical component can take several hours, substantially impacting the final 3D printing rates.
3D Printer Operation Costs: Accounting for Machine Usage
Josef also factors in the operational costs of his 3D printers. He starts with electricity consumption. At a local rate of $0.09 per kWh, and with printers drawing around 100-150W, the electricity cost for printing a tree frog is negligible – less than $0.023, even for the longest print time of 1 hour 48 minutes on the SL1.
However, Josef wants to recoup his printer investment within 6 months (4392 hours of printing). To achieve this, he adds a fixed hourly fee to each printer’s operational cost. Based on the initial printer prices, he calculates these fees as $0.21/hour for the MK3S, $0.10/hour for the MINI, and $0.36/hour for the SL1.
Formula for Printer Operation Costs:
*Printer Operation Cost = (Printer Price / Desired Investment Return Time in Hours) Print Time in Hours**
Electricity Cost = Negligible (for most desktop 3D printing scenarios)
The Original Prusa Mini, a compact and efficient FDM 3D printer, ideal for smaller prints and cost-effective operation.
Margin: Buffer for风险 and Profit
Josef recognizes that unforeseen issues can arise. Print failures, material waste, and printer maintenance are all potential costs. Print quality issues, especially with materials like ASA, can also lead to reprints and increased costs. Referencing older articles on troubleshooting 3D printing errors can help minimize these risks.
To account for these uncertainties, Josef adds a margin to his 3D printing rates. Initially, he sets this margin at 30% of the material cost. This percentage can be adjusted based on experience and risk assessment over time.
Formula for Margin:
*Margin = Material Cost Margin Percentage**
Summing Up the 3D Printing Rates for the Tree Frog
Based on these calculations, Josef arrives at the following 3D printing rates for the tree frog order:
- MK3s: $1.30
- MINI: $1.16
- SL1: $3.15
These prices are before taxes. While some customers might perceive these prices as high, and some makers might find them too low for profitability, this breakdown highlights the essential cost factors to consider when determining 3D printing rates.
The purpose of this guide is to provide a comprehensive overview of the elements influencing 3D printing costs. It’s crucial to include material expenses, labor for preparation, printer operation, and a buffer for potential issues when calculating your 3D printing rates. Energy consumption is typically a minor factor. For extended print jobs, electricity costs might slightly increase, but remain relatively low. Remember, these calculations exclude taxes, which must be considered when running a 3D printing service.
Recap of Josef’s Tree Frog Pricing:
| Cost Component | MK3s (USD) | MINI (USD) | SL1 (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.60 |
| Labor | 0.80 | 0.80 | 1.60 |
| Printer Operation | 0.27 | 0.12 | 0.65 |
| Margin (30% Material) | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.18 |
| Total | 1.27 | 1.12 | 3.03 |
Note: Totals in the original article and table are slightly off due to rounding in the example calculations.
Scaling Up: Pricing Larger and More Complex Prints
Consider a scenario where the customer requests a large, complex model printed on the MK3s. This downloaded model is print-ready but requires a significantly longer print time of 1 day, 17 hours, and 48 minutes. The chosen material is XT-CF20 carbon fiber composite, costing $49.99 per 750g, and the model requires 756g.
Let’s recalculate the 3D printing rates for this larger print:
- Material: (49.99 / 750) * 756 = $50.39
- Labor: $0.80 (preparation remains similar)
- Printer Operation: 0.21 41.8 + 0.023 41.8 = $9.74
- Margin (30% Material): 50.39 * 0.3 = $15.12
- Total: $76.05
As expected, larger prints and expensive materials drastically increase the final price, even with consistent labor costs. Printer operation costs proportionally rise with print duration. Similarly, seemingly simple parts can become more expensive if they require extensive design time or manual support generation.
Utilizing a 3D Print Rate Calculator
A user-friendly 3D printing price calculator interface, simplifying the process of estimating print costs.
Calculating 3D printing rates involves numerous factors, which can be complex to manage manually. To simplify this process, we’ve developed a handy 3D Printing Price Calculator! This tool allows you to input all relevant variables and instantly calculate the estimated price. It accommodates various parameters and even imports G-code files to streamline the process further. Try it out and simplify your 3D printing rate calculations!
Do you rely on 3D printing for income? Share your pricing strategies and experiences in the comments – your insights will be valuable to the community!
Happy printing!
