If you sell 3D prints, you need a price that covers real costs and still leaves profit. This quick guide is for small sellers who want a clear baseline without guessing. If you want the full pricing guide, start here.
What Actually Affects 3D Print Pricing
- Material: The grams used and the price per kg.
- Time: Longer prints tie up the machine and increase power use.
- Electricity: Small per print, but real over time.
- Failures: Reprints are part of production.
- Labor: Setup, cleanup, packing, and customer handling.
A Simple Pricing Formula in Plain English
Add your material, power, labor, and packaging. Add a buffer for failed prints. Then choose a profit margin to get to a selling price.
In one line: Base cost → failure buffer → margin.
Common Pricing Mistakes
- Charging only for filament and ignoring time.
- Using a margin that is too low to cover reprints.
- Pricing based on what feels fair instead of real costs.
- Forgetting labor, packaging, and order handling.
Real-World Examples (Simple Numbers)
Example A: Small PLA part
Filament $3.00 + power $0.15 + labor $2.50 + packaging $0.75 = $6.40 base cost. With 10% failure rate and 35% margin, the selling price lands around $10.95.
Example B: Larger PETG part
Filament $8.50 + power $0.35 + labor $4.00 + packaging $1.25 = $14.10 base cost. With 15% failure rate and 40% margin, the selling price lands around $27.65.
Use a Calculator Instead of Guessing
If you want consistent quotes, use a dedicated tool instead of mental math. The 3D print cost, price, and profit calculator lets you plug in your real inputs and see a clean baseline before you quote a job.
Use it when you change materials, adjust margins, or take on a new type of job so your pricing stays grounded in real costs.
FAQ
Should I price by the hour?
It can work, but only if you still include material, failure rate, and a margin that fits your market.
Do I need to include electricity?
Yes. It is small per print, but it adds up over time.
What if I am just starting?
Use conservative inputs, track real costs, then adjust your margin as you learn.