Guide

How Much Does Custom 3D Printing Cost? What Sets the Price

There is no single price for a 3D print, because every part uses a different amount of material and machine time. The good news is that the same few factors decide the price every time, and most of them are in your control.

Material and weight

The heavier the part, the more filament it uses. Size matters, but so does how solid the part is: a hollow-feeling part with low infill uses far less material than the same shape printed nearly solid. Specialty materials such as carbon fiber filled filament cost more per gram than PLA.

Print time

Machine time is the other big factor. Tall parts, fine layer heights and detailed geometry all take longer. A part that prints in two hours costs noticeably less than the same part printed in ten.

Supports and orientation

Overhangs need temporary supports, which add material, time and cleanup. Turning the part so that flat faces sit on the bed, or splitting it into pieces that print flat, can remove supports entirely.

Quantity

Setup is spread across the whole order, so the price per part falls as quantity rises. Printing several identical parts together is more efficient than ordering them one at a time.

Shipping

Shipping is added by weight, box size and distance. Our quote tool includes it once you enter your ZIP code, so the total you see is the total you can expect.

How to lower the price

Choose PLA or PETG unless you need something stronger or more heat resistant, use the lowest infill that still does the job, avoid supports by orienting the part sensibly, and order what you need in one batch. Upload your file to the quote tool and change one option at a time to see exactly what each choice costs.