The question of 3d Printing Price is a common topic in online discussions, particularly for those seeking to understand how to calculate the cost of a 3D print. With various misconceptions circulating, a detailed exploration of the factors influencing 3D printing costs is essential. So, how do you determine a fair and accurate price for a 3D print? This guide will walk you through the key aspects of 3D printing pricing, providing insights for both customers and businesses alike. For those who prefer a quick solution, we’ve got a helpful tool for you at the end!
Let’s consider a hypothetical scenario with a maker named Josef from Prague (purely coincidental, of course!), who has invested in three 3D printers to offer printing services. His arsenal includes the renowned Original Prusa i3 MK3S, the compact Original Prusa MINI, and the high-resolution Original Prusa SL1.
Imagine a customer requests a quote for printing this test object, desiring it to be printed on each of Josef’s printers. The material specifications are Prusament PLA Orange for the MK3s and MINI, and Prusa Orange Tough resin for the SL1. Let’s break down how Josef would calculate the 3D printing price.
An orange 3D printed tree frog model, a common test print for 3D printers, showcasing detail and material.
Material Costs: The Foundation of 3D Print Pricing
Josef understands that material and labor costs are the most significant contributors to the final 3D printing price. Calculating material expenses is straightforward, primarily depending on the filament or resin price set by the manufacturer. For instance, a 1kg spool of Prusament PLA Orange costs $24.99 USD (excluding taxes and shipping). Using PrusaSlicer with standard settings (0.15mm layer height, 15% gyroid infill), the tree frog model consumes 6.27g of filament.
Therefore, Josef calculates the material cost for the tree frog on the MK3s or MINI as follows: (24.99 USD / 1000g) * 6.27g = $0.15 USD.
For the SL1, printing the same tree frog without supports (at 0.05mm layer height) requires 10.43ml of resin, costing approximately $0.6 USD. It’s crucial to note that material choice significantly impacts the 3D printing price. Specialty filaments or resins can dramatically increase costs, with some exceeding $90 USD/kg for filaments and $315 USD/kg for resins.
Formula for Material Cost:
*Material Cost = (Filament/Resin Price / Filament/Resin Weight or Volume) Model Weight or Volume**
Manpower Costs: Valuing Expertise and Time in 3D Printing
Josef values his time and expertise at $9.50 USD per hour, based on the average wage in the Czech Republic in 2020. He estimates that print preparation, including slicing, takes about 5 minutes for standard models (and 10 minutes if resin needs changing in the SL1). Consequently, labor costs for preparing the tree frog are calculated at $0.8 USD for MK3s/MINI and $1.6 USD for SL1.
While simple prints from online repositories require minimal preparation, many projects demand significantly more labor. Complex models, especially those requiring intricate support structures for resin printing, can extend slicing time to 30 minutes or more.
Furthermore, custom design work dramatically increases manpower costs. Designing even a seemingly simple part can take several hours, significantly impacting the overall 3D printing price. Expertise in 3D modeling and print optimization is a valuable service that needs to be factored into the cost.
3D Printer Operation Costs: Accounting for Hardware and Maintenance
Josef also considers the operational costs of his 3D printers. Electricity consumption is a factor, though surprisingly minor. With an average electricity cost of $0.09 USD per kWh and printers consuming around 100-150W, the electricity cost for printing a tree frog (print times: MK3s – 1h 16min, MINI – 1h 10min, SL1 – 1h 48min) is less than $0.023 USD – practically negligible.
However, Josef aims to recoup his printer investment within 6 months (approximately 4392 printing hours). To achieve this, he adds a fixed hourly fee to each printer’s operation cost. This fee, based on the initial printer prices, is $0.21 USD/hour for the MK3S, $0.1 USD/hour for the MINI, and $0.36 USD/hour for the SL1.
Formula for 3D Printer Operation Costs:
*Printer Operation Cost = (Printer Price / Desired Investment Return Time in Hours) Print Time in Hours**
Electricity Cost = Generally Negligible
The Original Prusa Mini 3D printer, known for its compact size and efficiency, highlighted in an office environment.
Margin: Buffering Against Risks and Ensuring Profitability in 3D Printing Services
Josef recognizes that unforeseen issues can arise. Print failures, material waste, and maintenance needs are all potential setbacks. Print quality issues are common challenges, especially with materials like ASA that are prone to warping. Referencing resources like older articles on troubleshooting 3D printing errors is crucial for addressing these problems.
Calculating a price that covers all potential risks is challenging and depends heavily on experience and operational factors. Josef decides to implement a margin of 30% on the material cost as a starting point to mitigate these uncertainties. This margin acts as a “failure insurance” and contributes to the overall profitability of his 3D printing service.
*Margin = Material Cost Margin Percentage**
Summing Up the 3D Printing Price Calculation
Let’s revisit Josef’s pricing for the tree frog order:
- MK3s: $1.3 USD
- MINI: $1.16 USD
- SL1: $3.15 USD
These prices are before taxes and serve as an example. Pricing perceptions vary; some customers may find these prices high, while some makers might consider them insufficiently profitable.
This guide aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the elements that should be considered when calculating 3D printing prices. Essentially, you need to factor in material costs, labor for preparation and potentially design, printer operation expenses, and a margin to account for risks and ensure business sustainability. Energy costs are typically minimal. For businesses, remember to incorporate taxes and consider local regulations for commissioned 3D printing services.
Josef’s Detailed Cost Breakdown:
| Cost Component | MK3s (USD) | MINI (USD) | SL1 (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.6 |
| Labor | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.6 |
| 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: These totals may slightly differ from the original article due to rounding in intermediate calculations.
Scaling Up: Pricing Larger and More Complex 3D Prints
Consider a scenario where a customer requests a large, complex model printed on the MK3s. Even with a readily available model, printing time can be extensive – for example, 1 day, 17 hours, and 48 minutes. If using a premium material like carbon fiber composite XT-CF20, costing $49.99 USD per 750g and requiring 756g for the print, how does the price change?
Let’s recalculate using the same principles:
- Material: (49.99 USD / 750g) * 756g = $50.39 USD
- Labor: $0.8 USD (preparation remains similar)
- Printer Operation: $0.21/hour 41.8 hours + $0.023/hour 41.8 hours = $9.74 USD
- Margin (30% of Material Cost): $50.39 USD * 0.3 = $15.12 USD
- Total: $76.05 USD
As expected, larger objects and expensive materials lead to significantly higher 3D printing prices, even with consistent labor costs. Printer operation and maintenance expenses also accumulate with longer print times. Furthermore, seemingly simple parts can become more expensive if they require extensive design time or manual support customization.
Streamlining 3D Print Pricing with Calculators
A screenshot of a 3D printing price calculator interface, showcasing input fields for material cost, labor, and printer settings.
Recognizing the complexity of these calculations, we’ve developed a user-friendly 3D Printing Price Calculator to simplify the process! This tool allows you to input all relevant parameters and instantly generate a price estimate. You can customize various attributes and even share your results. For added convenience, the calculator can import existing G-code files, saving you valuable time. Try it out and simplify your 3D printing price estimations!
Are you using 3D printing for commercial purposes? Share your pricing strategies and experiences in the comments below – your insights will be valuable to the community!
Happy Printing!
