Estimate the total cost of your 3D printing projects with precision, including material, electricity, labor, and equipment expenses.
Higher infill uses more material and increases cost (10-30% for decorative, 50-80% for functional parts)
Accounts for support material, failed prints, and purging
Common 3D printing scenarios - click to auto-fill:
Total Estimated Cost
$0.00
~$0.00 per gram
Visual representation of cost distribution
A breakdown of the key factors that contribute to the total cost of 3D printing
The most significant cost component for most 3D prints, based on:
Material Cost = (Print Weight × Fill Rate × (1 + Waste Factor)) × (Material Cost / 1000)
Example: 50g print × 50% infill × 15% waste = 28.75g actual material used
Costs that accumulate over the printing process:
Time-Based Cost = (Electricity + Labor + Depreciation) × Print Time
Often overlooked costs that occur after printing:
Price ranges for popular 3D printing filaments and their typical applications
| Material | Cost Range ($/kg) | Density (g/cm³) | Common Applications | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | $15 - $30 | 1.25 | Prototypes, decorative items, low-stress parts | Easy to print, biodegradable, low strength |
| ABS | $20 - $40 | 1.05 | Functional parts, toys, mechanical components | Durable, impact-resistant, requires heated bed |
| PETG | $25 - $45 | 1.24 | Functional parts, containers, mechanical parts | Strong, flexible, water-resistant, easy to print |
| ASA | $35 - $55 | 1.07 | Outdoor parts, automotive components | UV resistant, weatherproof, impact-resistant |
| HIPS | $20 - $40 | 1.04 | Support material, prototypes | Soluble in limonene, easy to print |
| Polycarbonate | $40 - $80 | 1.20 | Strong functional parts, high-temperature applications | High strength, heat resistant, requires high temp printing |
| Flexible/TPE | $30 - $70 | 1.20 | Grips, gaskets, phone cases, wearables | Elastic, rubber-like, requires special printing settings |
| Nylon (SLS) | $80 - $150 | 1.02 | Complex mechanical parts, gears, hinges | Strong, flexible, lightweight, SLS printing |
Practical strategies to minimize your 3D printing expenses without sacrificing quality
Common questions about 3D printing costs and calculations
Infill percentage directly impacts material usage and therefore cost. It refers to the density of the internal structure of a 3D printed part:
Our calculator accounts for this relationship by multiplying the base material cost by the infill percentage.
Several factors can cause actual costs to exceed estimates:
It's wise to add a 10-20% buffer to your cost estimates to account for these variables.
The hourly cost to run a 3D printer varies based on several factors:
Hourly Cost = Electricity + Labor + Depreciation
For a typical consumer 3D printer:
Total: $5.13-$20.60 per hour, with labor typically being the largest component.
It depends on several factors:
3D printing shines for custom parts, prototypes, and low-volume production where traditional manufacturing setup costs would be prohibitive.
Cost Calculator
3D printing cost calculator, 3D print cost estimator, filament cost calculator, 3D printing expense
Calculate the total cost of your 3D printing projects including material, electricity, labor, and machine depreciation costs.
DTF cost calculator, direct to film cost, DTF printing expense, DTF material cost
Calculate the total cost of Direct to Film (DTF) printing projects, including film, ink, powder, equipment, and labor costs.
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