How to Price 3D Prints: Filament, Time & Profit Guide
Grams are only the start. Hours on the printer and minutes of finishing usually matter more.
A concrete example
A 120 g print on a $25/kg spool is $3.00 of filament. Five hours on a 150 W printer at $0.15/kWh is about $0.11 of electricity. That is not the job cost.
Add machine depreciation (even $0.50–$1.00 per hour adds up), 15 minutes of your time at a real rate, packaging, and an 8% failure allowance. Then set a margin after fees. The 3D Printing Cost Calculator uses this structure.
Cost per gram vs cost per hour
Many beginners only price by weight (e.g., $0.10/gram). This fails on intricate, slow models that take 14 hours for only 80 grams of filament. A slow print blocks your machine from printing other profitable orders.
The most robust formula combines material weight (grams × $/g) + machine runtime (hours × $/hr) + post-processing labor + platform fees.
How to price 3D prints for Etsy
When selling 3D prints on Etsy, account for Etsy transaction fees (6.5%), payment processing (3% + $0.25), listing fees ($0.20), and potential advertising costs. Ensure your listing price gives you at least a 50% profit margin after all deductions.
Pricing resin (SLA/DLP) 3D prints
Resin printing involves higher consumable costs than FDM: photopolymer resin ($30–$60/L), isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wash baths, replacement FEP/release films, and LCD screen wear. Factor in post-cure labor and protective gear (gloves, masks).