The worked example
We take a 50 gram PLA print taking 5 hours on a €400 printer and use our selling price of €7.19 (cost €2.29, labor €2.50 and a 50% markup).
- Direct costs (filament, electricity, maintenance and failed prints): €1.77
- Printer depreciation: €0.50
- Result per print, before tax and your own time: €4.92
Result per month
| Prints per month | Revenue | Direct costs | Depreciation | Result | Own time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | €72 | €18 | €5 | €49 | 3.3 h |
| 25 | €180 | €44 | €13 | €123 | 8.3 h |
| 50 | €360 | €88 | €25 | €246 | 16.7 h |
| 100 | €719 | €177 | €50 | €492 | 33.3 h |
Own time: 10 minutes per print for slicing, setup and post-processing, plus 10 minutes for packing and customer contact.
Payback time of your printer
After about 74 prints you have earned back the €400 printer (purchase price divided by revenue minus direct costs per print). That is before tax, shipping and platform fees.
What is your hourly pay?
With 20 minutes of your own time per print, about €14.77 per hour is left for your own time, before tax. The printer runs on its own, so this only holds as long as there is demand to sell all the prints. More prints per hour of your own time raises the result.
What is not included?
VAT and taxes, shipping, platform and payment fees, marketing, customer contact and insurance. Account for those separately.
Is there demand?
The key question is not the cost, but whether people want to buy your prints at this price. Check what similar prints cost on marketplaces, and try selling a small number first. Print services often charge roughly €0.10 to €0.20 per gram, see cost per gram.
This is a worked example, not financial or tax advice. For taxes, consult your tax authority or an accountant.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make money with a 3D printer?
Yes, but it depends on demand, price and your own time. Work out your real cost first and check what similar prints cost before you invest.
How many prints do I need to sell to earn back my printer?
In this worked example about 74 prints of 50 grams with a €400 printer, before taxes, shipping and your own time.
Do I have to pay tax on selling 3D prints?
That depends on your situation. Income from sales can be taxable, even if it is a hobby. Check with your tax authority or an accountant.
Which printer is best for making money?
A reliable printer with little failure and a reasonable speed. See the printer comparison, but always test with your own prints.