What does 3D-Druck really cost?
The calculator below gives honest estimates from part weight and print time. Below it we explain how the price is built, so you can judge quotes correctly.
Found in any CAD software under mass properties.
20 to 40% covers most functional parts.
Non-binding estimates based on part weight and print time. Supports, post processing, inserts and shipping are not included. The binding quote follows after you upload the STEP file, usually within a few hours.
Upload STEP file and get a quoteSix factors that set the price
Part weight and print time
The price of a printed part follows weight and machine hours almost linearly. Thin, tall parts print slowly, compact blocks fast. Knowing your part volume is already half the answer.
Material
PLA and PETG sit around 22 to 28 euros per kilogram, engineering materials like PA12-CF or PC FR well above. Cost rarely comes from the material itself but from longer print times and scrapped attempts on demanding materials.
Infill and wall count
More infill means more material and above all more time. For most functional parts 20 to 40 percent is enough, strength comes from the walls, not the fill.
Quantity and setup
Every order carries a fixed share for data prep and machine setup. With one part that part carries it, with a hundred it spreads. That is why the unit price drops noticeably up to about 50 parts.
Post processing
Support removal is included. Threaded inserts, sanding, priming and painting are manual work billed by effort. If you need cosmetic quality, plan it in from the start.
Lead time
Express costs a premium because machines get rescheduled. With a week of time you pay the standard rate. Same-day work pays for interrupting running jobs.
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Cost FAQ
- What does a single printed part cost?
- Small functional parts in PETG or ABS start around 15 to 30 euros because setup and data prep land on one part. From ten pieces the unit price usually drops below a third of that.
- Why is printing cheaper than injection molding for small series?
- Because no tool is built. An injection mold costs four to five figures before the first part exists. Below a few hundred parts printing is almost always more economical, above that we honestly calculate the switch.
- How accurate is the calculator?
- It gives estimates from weight and print time and usually lands in the right range for simple geometries. No calculator can see supports, difficult orientations or post processing. The binding quote follows after you upload the STEP file.
- What data do you need for a quote?
- A STEP or STL file, the desired material or its requirements, and the quantity. Notes on the application help, because they often point to a cheaper material or simpler orientation.
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