Assumptions behind these examples
All amounts assume PLA at €20 per kg, a €400 printer with a 4000-hour lifetime, 120 W power draw, €0.30 per kWh, €0.10 maintenance per print hour and 5% failed prints. These are the same default values as in the calculator. With a different printer, material or electricity price, your own price will differ.
Cost per object
| Object | Weight | Print time | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keychain | 5 g | 0.25 h | €0.17 | Calculate |
| Jewelry / pendant | 8 g | 0.5 h | €0.29 | Calculate |
| Wall hook | 15 g | 0.75 h | €0.50 | Calculate |
| Miniature / figurine | 12 g | 1 h | €0.50 | Calculate |
| Phone case | 30 g | 1.5 h | €1.00 | Calculate |
| Mug | 45 g | 2.5 h | €1.57 | Calculate |
| Storage box / organizer | 60 g | 3 h | €2.01 | Design your own |
| Vase | 150 g | 6 h | €4.65 | Calculate |
| Lampshade | 200 g | 8 h | €6.20 | Calculate |
| Large decorative object / helmet | 500 g | 18 h | €15.00 | Calculate |
Print times are estimates: complex geometry, more supports or a lower layer height extend print time and therefore the cost. Click "Calculate" to run the object through the calculator with your own prices and material.
Why small objects are relatively expensive
A 5-gram keychain only costs €0.10 in filament, but the total cost is €0.17: almost double. That's because depreciation, electricity and maintenance are charged per print hour, not per gram. Small, quick prints carry relatively more "fixed cost" per piece than large prints that use the machine more efficiently.
Why large objects are mostly expensive because of print time
For the vase and the lampshade, filament is still a sizeable share of the price, but the 6 to 8 hours of print time weighs heavily. Reduce the wall thickness or print with less infill, and both the weight and the print time drop, lowering the cost. See also cost per gram for how print speed affects the price.
Selling your prints?
These amounts are bare production costs. If you sell the object, add labor and a margin on top: see how to price 3D prints.
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to 3D print a keychain?
A 5-gram keychain that prints for 15 minutes costs about €0.17, including filament, electricity, depreciation and failed prints.
What does it cost to 3D print a phone case?
A 30-gram phone case that prints for one and a half hours costs about €1.00. Using TPU instead of PLA raises the filament price and usually prints slower.
What does it cost to 3D print a vase?
A 150-gram vase that prints for 6 hours costs about €4.65. Large, hollow prints like vases are expensive mainly because of print time, not filament.
Is labor included in these amounts?
No, these are bare production costs: filament, electricity, printer depreciation, maintenance and failed prints. If you sell prints, add labor and a margin on top.
All amounts are estimates based on the stated assumptions. No rights can be derived from them.