3D Printing Budget (Small-Scale) Calculator
Estimate your startup costs, cost per print, monthly operating costs, profit and break-even point for a small-scale 3D printing setup.
Overview
Use this small-scale 3D printing budget calculator to estimate the upfront cost of starting, the material and electricity cost of each item, and the likely monthly result at your planned selling price and sales volume.
How it works
The calculator converts filament use from grams to kilograms and multiplies it by the filament price. It estimates electricity cost by converting printer power from watts to kilowatts, then multiplying by print time and the electricity rate. These costs, plus packaging, make up the cost per item. Monthly operating cost is the per-item cost multiplied by expected monthly sales. Estimated monthly profit is sales revenue less those listed operating costs, while break-even sales divide startup costs by the contribution left from each sale.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter the cost of your 3D printer and any other one-time setup purchases.
- 2Add your filament price and the grams of filament used for one item.
- 3Enter the printer's average power draw, print time and electricity rate.
- 4Include the packaging cost for each item.
- 5Set your expected monthly sales volume and selling price.
- 6Review the cost per print, estimated monthly profit and break-even sales volume.
Example Calculation
3D printer cost
$400
Other startup costs
$100
Filament price per kg
$25
Filament used per print
80
Average printer power
150
Print time per item
4
Electricity rate
$0
Packaging cost per item
$1
Expected items sold per month
30
Selling price per item
$10
Estimated cost per print
$2.62
With these values, each item costs about $2.62 to produce and package. Selling 30 items per month at $10 produces an estimated monthly profit of about $221 before unlisted costs, and the $500 startup cost is recovered after about 68 sales.
Frequently asked questions
What costs are included in the cost per 3D print?
The per-item estimate includes filament, printer electricity during the stated print time and packaging. You can add other recurring costs separately when setting your price.
Does this calculator include failed 3D prints?
Not separately. Increase the grams of filament per print or add a buffer to your packaging cost if you want to allow for failed prints, test pieces and waste.
How do I find my 3D printer's electricity use?
Use an electricity monitor where possible, or use a realistic average wattage from your printer's documentation or measured use. Maximum power ratings can overstate normal consumption.
Why is my break-even sales result negative or unusually high?
Break-even requires a positive contribution per item. If the selling price is at or below the calculated operating cost, increase the price, reduce costs or revise the product design before relying on this result.
Does estimated monthly profit include my time?
No. The result excludes labour and other unlisted costs such as marketplace fees, payment processing, shipping, maintenance, taxes and advertising.
How should I set a selling price for 3D printed items?
Start with the calculated operating cost, then allow for your time, failures, platform and payment fees, shipping, overheads and a margin that suits your business goals.
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Assumptions and warnings
Assumptions
- All prices are entered in the same currency.
- Filament use includes the stated amount per finished item; failed prints and extra waste are not separately calculated.
- Electricity cost is based on average printer power draw and printing time only.
- Monthly profit excludes labour, shipping, marketplace fees, payment processing, maintenance, taxes and other overheads.
- Break-even sales are meaningful only when the selling price is higher than the calculated operating cost per item.
Warnings
- This calculator provides business estimates only and is not financial or tax advice.
- Actual costs can vary with failed prints, maintenance, energy tariffs, sales fees and demand.