How to price a 3D print
Calculate material and electricity first, then add machine time, labor, overhead, and a deliberate allowance for failed prints before applying markup or profit.
180 g print over 9 hours
$10.51 estimated cost basis
The example cost stack
| Cost | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Filament | 180 g ÷ 1,000 g × $24 | $4.32 |
| Electricity | 0.12 kW × 9 hr × $0.18 | $0.19 |
| Machine time | 9 hr × $0.50 | $4.50 |
| Other overhead | Packaging and supplies | $1.50 |
| Cost basis | $10.51 | |
| Price with 50% markup | $10.51 × 1.50 | $15.77 |
Do not stop at filament cost
Filament is easy to measure, but long prints also occupy equipment, add wear, and create opportunity cost. Preparation, support removal, sanding, assembly, packing, communication, and design work can exceed unattended print time. Price those tasks explicitly rather than hoping markup covers them.
Markup is not margin
A 50% markup multiplies cost by 1.5. A 50% gross margin means cost is 50% of the selling price, so price equals cost divided by 0.5. On a $10 cost, 50% markup produces $15, while 50% margin produces $20.
Build a repeatable quote
- Use slicer-reported filament weight and print time.
- Use net spool weight and actual purchase price.
- Measure or conservatively estimate average printer power.
- Add machine depreciation and maintenance per occupied hour.
- Price hands-on labor separately.
- Add overhead, packaging, fees, taxes, and failure risk as applicable.
- Apply the chosen markup or margin only after the cost basis is complete.
Frequently asked questions
Is electricity a major 3D-printing cost?
It is often smaller than material, labor, and occupied machine time, but the result depends on printer power, duration, and local electricity price.
How do I account for failed prints?
Track failure rates by material and job type, then include a documented allowance or minimum charge rather than hiding the risk.
Should design time be billed?
Yes when the job requires modeling, repair, slicing experiments, or client revisions. Hands-on design is labor, not unattended machine time.