3D Printing Labour Cost Formula
Learn how to calculate commercial 3D printing labour hours, fully loaded labour cost, and labour cost per finished part.
This formula estimates the hands-on labour required to prepare, process, finish, inspect, and handle a commercial 3D printing order. Separating one-off setup from repeated per-part work helps a print bureau allocate labour cost more consistently across small and large batches.
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Fully Loaded Labour Cost
Where:
Add the one-time setup hours to all handling and finishing hours for the order. Multiply those total hours by the base hourly rate, then add the selected labour burden percentage.
Variables Explained
| Variable | What It Means | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| setupHours - Job setup time | One-off active staff time for file checks, slicing, machine preparation, job release, and initial administration. | hours |
| handlingHoursPerPart - Handling time per part | Hands-on time for unloading, support removal, inspection, packing, and routine handling of each finished part. | hours |
| finishingHoursPerPart - Finishing time per part | Hands-on post-processing time for each part, such as curing, sanding, polishing, or paint preparation. | hours |
| quantity - Number of parts | The number of finished parts in the production order. | number |
| hourlyLabourRate - Base hourly labour rate | Direct hourly wage or charge-out labour rate before labour-related on-costs. | currency |
| labourBurdenRate - Labour burden and overhead | Percentage allowance for payroll on-costs and labour-related overheads, applied to base labour cost. | percent |
Step-by-Step Calculation
Calculate variable hours per part
Combine the repeated hands-on handling and finishing time needed for one finished part.
variableHoursPerPart = handlingHoursPerPart + finishingHoursPerPart
Calculate total repeated labour hours
Multiply the labour required per part by the number of parts in the order.
variableLaborHours = variableHoursPerPart * quantity
Add one-off setup time
Add the job-level preparation time to the repeated production and post-processing work.
totalLaborHours = setupHours + variableLaborHours
Calculate direct labour cost
Multiply total active labour hours by the base hourly labour rate.
baseLaborCost = totalLaborHours * hourlyLabourRate
Calculate labour burden
Apply the selected burden and overhead percentage to direct labour cost.
labourBurdenCost = baseLaborCost * labourBurdenRate / 100
Calculate fully loaded cost and cost per part
Add the burden cost to direct labour, then allocate the total across all finished parts.
totalLaborCost = baseLaborCost + labourBurdenCost; laborCostPerPart = totalLaborCost / quantity
Example: 10 parts with light post-processing
Variable labour per part
0.25 + 0.50
0.75 hours per part
Repeated labour for the order
0.75 * 10
7.50 hours
Total labour hours
1.00 + 7.50
8.50 hours
Base labour cost
8.50 * 35.00
$297.50
Labour burden cost
297.50 * 20 / 100
$59.50
Fully loaded cost per part
(297.50 + 59.50) / 10
$35.70 per part
Final Result
Estimated fully loaded labour cost: $357.00 for the order, or $35.70 per finished part.
Assumptions
- ✓All entered time is active staff time rather than unattended printer run time.
- ✓Handling and finishing time is assumed to be the same for every finished part.
- ✓The labour burden percentage is applied only to direct labour cost.
- ✓Setup time is treated as a one-off cost for the order.
- ✓All parts are assumed to pass inspection without extra rework or replacement.
Limitations
- !Actual labour can change with geometry, support strategy, surface finish requirements, and material handling needs.
- !Failed prints, rejected parts, troubleshooting, rework, and schedule disruption are not automatically included.
- !Machine operating time, materials, energy, maintenance, depreciation, shipping, taxes, and profit are outside this labour estimate.
- !Large batches may create workflow efficiencies or bottlenecks that a fixed per-part time does not capture.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Entering printer build time as labour time when the printer runs unattended.
Leaving out support removal, washing, curing, inspection, labelling, or packing time.
Applying the burden percentage to the final selling price instead of direct labour cost.
Using a per-part finishing estimate that does not match the required finish standard.
Forgetting that setup is normally incurred once per order, not once per part.
Related Formulas
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate 3D printing labour cost?
Add setup hours to the per-part handling and finishing hours multiplied by quantity. Multiply the result by the hourly labour rate, then add the labour burden allowance.
What is the formula for labour cost per 3D printed part?
Divide the fully loaded labour cost for the complete order by the number of finished parts. This spreads one-off setup across the batch.
Should 3D printer run time be included in labour hours?
Usually not when the machine runs without continuous supervision. Printer time can be estimated separately as machine operating cost.
What should be included in 3D printing setup time?
Setup can include file review, slicing, build preparation, machine checks, material loading, job release, and job administration.
Why is labour cost per part higher for small orders?
A small order has fewer parts over which to spread setup time. Repeated handling and finishing costs still apply to every part.
Does labour burden include profit margin?
No. Labour burden is an allowance for labour-related costs and overheads. Profit margin, if used, is a separate pricing decision.
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