3D printing cost: what drives the price and how to reduce it
A 3D print is priced on four things: the material actually used, the time the machine runs, the class of printer required, and any finishing work. Adjusting settings and part orientation lowers cost without hurting quality.
The four cost drivers
Understand these and you can read any 3D printing quote.
- Material used — by weight or volume including supports and waste, not the size of the bounding box.
- Machine time — a tall part takes longer than a flat one of the same volume, because it has more layers.
- Printer class — resin gives a finer surface but adds washing and curing; engineering materials need a costlier enclosed machine.
- Finishing — support removal, sanding, painting or assembly is labour, charged separately from material.
How to cut cost without hurting the part
Work down this list, biggest saving first.
- Lower the infill — 10 to 20 percent is plenty for parts that are not load-bearing.
- Increase layer height when you do not need a fine surface; fewer layers means less time.
- Re-orient the part to reduce supports — support material is paid for and thrown away.
- Hollow the model, or split large parts and assemble them afterwards.
- Match the material to the job; display pieces do not need engineering plastics.
- Print several parts in one job to spread setup time.
Buy a printer or order prints?
If you print occasionally, or need a speciality material you will rarely use again, ordering is usually cheaper — no machine to buy and maintain.
If you print regularly, iterate often, or need to control your own lead times, owning a printer pays back. The team at any branch can work this through with your real workload.
Price your own file in seconds
Upload an STL, OBJ or 3MF on our website: it slices the file and shows the price immediately, and you pick material and colour before confirming. Or bring the file to one of our three branches.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a small part more expensive than expected?
Price is not size alone. A small but tall or detailed part takes a long time to print, and finishing costs the same labour however small the piece is.
Is resin printing more expensive than filament?
Per gram, generally yes, plus washing and curing. But where a smooth, detailed surface matters, resin often works out cheaper because it removes sanding work.
Do larger quantities cost less each?
Yes — setup time is spread and more parts fit in one job. Tell us the quantity when you ask for a price.
Can you issue a tax invoice?
Yes — full tax invoices and formal quotations for companies, schools and universities.