Accurately pricing a 3D print is crucial for both hobbyists and businesses. It ensures profitability, covers operational costs, and provides a fair price to the customer. This calculator helps break down the complex factors that contribute to the final cost of a 3D printed object.
The Calculation Formula Explained
The total price of a 3D print is typically calculated by summing up several key cost components and then adding a profit margin. Here's how our calculator breaks it down:
1. Material Cost:
This is the cost of the filament or resin used for the print.
Material Cost = (Material Weight in grams / 1000) * Material Cost per kg
We convert grams to kilograms to match the unit of the material cost.
2. Electricity Cost:
3D printers consume electricity during the printing process. This cost is dependent on the printer's power consumption, the duration of the print, and the local electricity rate.
Electricity Cost = (Printer Power in Watts / 1000) * Print Time in hours * Electricity Cost per kWh
We convert Watts to Kilowatts (kW) to align with the electricity rate unit (kWh).
3. Labor Cost:
This accounts for the time spent by a person on tasks related to the print, such as preparing the file, setting up the printer, monitoring the print (if necessary), and post-processing (e.g., removing supports, sanding).
Labor Cost = Labor Hours * Labor Hourly Rate
4. Machine Depreciation & Overhead:
3D printers and related equipment represent an investment. This cost factor covers the wear and tear on the machine, maintenance, consumables (like cleaning supplies), and a portion of other operational overheads (rent, internet, etc.) allocated per hour of printer usage.
Machine Overhead Cost = Print Time in hours * Machine Depreciation/Overhead per hour
5. Subtotal (Before Profit):
This is the sum of all the direct and indirect costs calculated above.
Subtotal = Material Cost + Electricity Cost + Labor Cost + Machine Overhead Cost
6. Final Price with Profit Margin:
To ensure profitability, a markup is added to the subtotal based on a desired profit percentage.
Final Price = Subtotal * (1 + (Desired Profit Margin / 100))
Factors Influencing 3D Print Pricing
Material Type: Different filaments (PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, Nylon) and resins have varying costs per kilogram or liter.
Print Complexity & Size: Larger prints require more material and time, directly increasing costs. Intricate designs might also demand more support material and post-processing effort.
Layer Height & Infill: Finer layer heights and higher infill densities increase print time and material usage.
Printer Technology: FDM printers generally have lower material and running costs compared to SLA/DLP resin printers, though the initial investment can vary significantly.
Post-Processing Needs: Prints requiring significant sanding, painting, assembly, or surface finishing will incur higher labor costs.
Urgency/Turnaround Time: Rush orders might command a premium.
Service Provider Costs: Business overheads (rent, utilities, software subscriptions, marketing) need to be factored in.
Using this calculator provides a transparent and structured way to estimate the cost of your 3D prints, helping you make informed decisions whether you're a maker selling prints or a customer looking to understand the value.
function calculatePrintPrice() {
var materialCostPerKg = parseFloat(document.getElementById("materialCostPerKg").value);
var materialWeightGrams = parseFloat(document.getElementById("materialWeightGrams").value);
var printTimeHours = parseFloat(document.getElementById("printTimeHours").value);
var electricityCostKwh = parseFloat(document.getElementById("electricityCostKwh").value);
var printerPowerWatts = parseFloat(document.getElementById("printerPowerWatts").value);
var laborHourlyRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("laborHourlyRate").value);
var laborHours = parseFloat(document.getElementById("laborHours").value);
var machineDepreciation = parseFloat(document.getElementById("machineDepreciation").value);
var profitMargin = parseFloat(document.getElementById("profitMargin").value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
// Input validation
if (isNaN(materialCostPerKg) || materialCostPerKg < 0 ||
isNaN(materialWeightGrams) || materialWeightGrams < 0 ||
isNaN(printTimeHours) || printTimeHours < 0 ||
isNaN(electricityCostKwh) || electricityCostKwh < 0 ||
isNaN(printerPowerWatts) || printerPowerWatts < 0 ||
isNaN(laborHourlyRate) || laborHourlyRate < 0 ||
isNaN(laborHours) || laborHours < 0 ||
isNaN(machineDepreciation) || machineDepreciation < 0 ||
isNaN(profitMargin) || profitMargin < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.";
return;
}
// Calculations
var materialCost = (materialWeightGrams / 1000) * materialCostPerKg;
var electricityCost = (printerPowerWatts / 1000) * printTimeHours * electricityCostKwh;
var laborCost = laborHours * laborHourlyRate;
var machineOverheadCost = printTimeHours * machineDepreciation;
var subtotal = materialCost + electricityCost + laborCost + machineOverheadCost;
var finalPrice = subtotal * (1 + (profitMargin / 100));
// Display result
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Estimated Price: $" + finalPrice.toFixed(2);
}