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In the realm of 3D printing, understanding the pricing structure is crucial for both hobbyists and professionals alike. Knowing how to calculate costs associated with 3D printing not only helps in setting the right price for your work but also in maximizing profitability. Hence, let's uncover the necessary steps to accurately determine your 3D printing expenses.
Consider a fictional character named Josef from Prague, who owns three different 3D printers, specifically designed to help him generate income: the Original Prusa i3 MK3S, the Original Prusa MINI, and the Original Prusa SL1.
A customer has reached out to Josef, requesting a print of this test object utilizing the printers mentioned above. The print will use Prusament PLA Orange for the MK3s and MINI, while employing Prusa Orange Tough resin for the SL1.
Material Costs
Josef understands that the private investment in both labor and the filament or resin is typically the most significant component of the overall cost. Pricing for filament and resin comes from the manufacturers, making it straightforward to calculate material costs. For instance, 1kg of Prusament PLA Orange retails for 24.99 USD (excluding tax and shipping), and the PrusaSlicer software calculates that one tree frog model uses 6.27 grams of filament (with basic settings of 0.15mm layer height and 15% gyroid infill).
Here’s how Josef arrives at material costs: (24.99 / 1000) * 6.27, which indicates that producing one tree frog print on the MK3s or MINI incurs a cost of approximately 0.15 USD. In contrast, the SL1 printer will need 10.43ml of resin for the same object, amounting to a cost of 0.6 USD. Should the client wish to explore different materials, costs could skyrocket, with certain filaments priced over 90 USD/kg and resins even exceeding 315 USD/kg.
Accordingly, the formula is straightforward: Material cost = filament price / filament weight (g) * model weight (g)
Manpower Costs
Josef places value on his labor at a rate of around 9.50 USD/hour based on the average wage level in the Czech Republic for the previous year. He estimates that the preparation for the print job, covering slicing and adjustments, requires about 5 minutes (and possibly 10 minutes if the resin in the SL1 must be swapped). So, for a tree frog, the labor cost on the MK3s/MINI is 0.8 USD, while for the SL1, it rises to 1.6 USD. Generally speaking, preparing small, readily available models is not labor-intensive. However, more complex models often require significantly longer preparation time, extending to 30 minutes or more.
Thus, the labor costs can accumulate quickly, especially if an entirely new design must be drafted, leading to further increases in pricing.
3D Printer Operation Costs
Josef also factors in costs associated with operating his 3D printers. He begins by considering electricity expenses: in his locality, the rate per kWh ranges from 0.07 USD to 0.09 USD. For this purpose, he settles on a cost of 0.09 USD. The power consumption of his printer typically sits around 100-150 W. The print time for the tree frog model on the MK3s is about 1h 16min, while it’s 1h 10min on the MINI and 1h 48min on the SL1. Consequently, using the upper limit of 150W, the electricity cost per print is less than 0.023 USD, a notably negligible expense.
Additionally, Josef aims to recover the cost of his equipment within a six-month period–roughly 180 hours of printing. This leads him to incorporate a fixed hourly rate based on printer acquisition costs: 0.21 USD/hour for the MK3S, 0.1 USD/hour for the MINI, and 0.36 USD/hour for the SL1.
The formula for operating costs stands at: 3D printer operation costs = printer price / expected investment recovery time (h) * print time (h)
Electricity cost = negligible
Margin Considerations
Despite these calculated fees, Josef still harbors concerns about adequately returning his investments with the outlined pricing. Other important factors also influence the final pricing; for instance, potential printing mishaps may lead to filament loss or result in maintenance expenses. Common printing quality issues may arise during larger projects. Comprehensive resources are available in our earlier articles about print quality and troubleshooting.
Consequently, devising an all-encompassing pricing formula that safeguards against mistakes is a complex objective, significantly reliant on the operator's experience as well as various external factors. Initially, Josef sets a margin of 30% based on material costs to help buffer for unforeseen issues.
So, to summarize Josef's price determination: he charged the customer different amounts based on the printers used: 1.3 USD for the MK3s, 1.16 USD for the MINI, and 3.15 USD for the SL1, all exclusive of tax. It’s clear that perceptions of value vary; some customers may resist paying these amounts, while others might see the present costs as insufficient for profitability.
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This guide aims to serve as a foundational overview for anyone calculating the costs associated with 3D printing. Primarily, keep in mind material expenses, labor, potential failures, and ongoing operational costs. Typically, energy consumption is a minor factor; most lengthy prints remain under a dollar in terms of expenses. Do note, taxes were not included in this calculation; if your goal involves establishing a business based on commissioned 3D printing, it’s advisable to research local regulations concerning this industry.
Here’s a complete recap of Josef's order:
Material: 0.15 (MK3s) + 0.15 (MINI) + 0.6 (SL1) USD
Labor: 0.8 (MK3s) + 0.8 (MINI) + 1.6 (SL1) USD
Printer operation: 0.27 (MK3s) + 0.12 (MINI) + 0.65 (SL1) USD
Margin (30% of material cost): 0.05 (MK3s) + 0.05 (MINI) + 0.18 (SL1) USD
Total: 5.42 USD
In addition, let's analyze the cost implications of a large and complex print job on the MK3s. This model takes an extended time of 1 day, 17 hours and 48 minutes to complete and uses a specialized carbon fiber composite material XT-CF20, priced at 49.99 USD. For this print, 756g will be needed, with other cost estimates remaining unchanged:
Material: (49.99 / 750) * 756 = 50.39 USD
Labor: 0.8 USD
Printer operation: 0.21 * 41.8 + 0.023 * 41.8 = 9.74 USD
Margin (30% of material cost): 50.39 * 0.3 = 15.12 USD
Total: 76.05 USD
It is evident that as object size increases along with material costs, the overall pricing will significantly escalate, even though labor rates will remain constant. Operating costs tend to rise as printing hours accumulate. Moreover, seemingly simple parts can drive up pricing if additional time is required for things like model creation or manual support adjustments.
3D Print Calculators
We understand that the cost calculation can become complex, which is why we created a user-friendly 3D Printing Price Calculator! This tool is easy to use: just input the necessary data and receive results instantaneously! Every essential characteristic can be set, allowing sharing of your results for convenience. The calculator also supports importing existing G-codes to further enhance efficiency. Give it a try!
If you’re utilizing 3D printing for your business ventures, we encourage you to share your experiences regarding pricing strategies and insights within the comments section below—your input is sure to be valuable to others!
Happy printing!
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