3D Printing Rate Calculator Examples
Worked examples showing how material, labor, electricity, overhead, and markup affect small-scale 3D print pricing.
These examples use the calculator's cost-based approach. Each starts with a print estimate, adds direct costs and overhead, and then applies a markup to produce an illustrative selling price.
Small replacement clip with short print time
A maker prints one 30 g clip for a local customer.
Input Summary
Filament cost
$24.00 per kg
Material weight
30 g
Print time and power
2 hours at 120 W
Electricity rate
$0.20 per kWh
Labor
0.2 hours at $20.00 per hour
Overhead and markup
10% and 40%
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Material$24.00 * 30 / 1000$0.72
- 2Electricity120 / 1000 * 2 * $0.20$0.05
- 3Labor0.2 * $20.00$4.00
- 4Production cost($0.72 + $0.05 + $4.00) * 1.10$5.25
- 5Selling price$5.247 * 1.40$7.35
Result Summary
Selling price
$7.35
3D Printing Rate Calculator
The estimated production cost is $5.25 and the illustrative price with 40% markup is $7.35.
Medium custom desk accessory
A 180 g desk organizer takes 12 hours to print.
Input Summary
Filament cost
$28.00 per kg
Material weight
180 g
Print time and power
12 hours at 180 W
Electricity rate
$0.18 per kWh
Labor
0.75 hours at $22.00 per hour
Overhead and markup
12% and 50%
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Material$28.00 * 180 / 1000$5.04
- 2Electricity180 / 1000 * 12 * $0.18$0.39
- 3Labor0.75 * $22.00$16.50
- 4Production cost($5.04 + $0.3888 + $16.50) * 1.12$24.56
- 5Selling price$24.561856 * 1.50$36.84
Result Summary
Selling price
$36.84
3D Printing Rate Calculator
The estimated production cost is $24.56 and the illustrative selling price is $36.84.
Resin miniature with extra finishing
A 55 g resin miniature is printed and prepared for delivery.
Input Summary
Resin cost
$40.00 per kg
Material weight
55 g
Print time and power
5 hours at 80 W
Electricity rate
$0.22 per kWh
Labor
1.0 hour at $24.00 per hour
Overhead and markup
20% and 60%
Calculation Breakdown
- 1Material$40.00 * 55 / 1000$2.20
- 2Electricity80 / 1000 * 5 * $0.22$0.09
- 3Labor1.0 * $24.00$24.00
- 4Production cost($2.20 + $0.088 + $24.00) * 1.20$31.55
- 5Selling price$31.5456 * 1.60$50.47
Result Summary
Selling price
$50.47
3D Printing Rate Calculator
The estimated production cost is $31.55 and the illustrative selling price is $50.47.
How to Read Your Results
Total production cost is the estimate before markup; it includes direct costs plus the entered overhead allowance.
Recommended selling price is an estimate based on your chosen markup, not a guaranteed market price.
Compare material, electricity, and labor line items to identify which input has the largest effect on your price.
Use actual job records to revise print weight, labor time, overhead, and failure allowances over time.
Add costs not represented by the inputs, such as packaging, delivery, platform charges, or design work, when relevant.
Assumptions & Important Notes
- All examples price one completed item and use the entered material amount as total expected consumption.
- Electricity is estimated from average power draw rather than maximum printer rating.
- The examples apply overhead before markup.
- The calculations are illustrative estimates and do not include taxes or transaction fees.
Related Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a small 3D print sometimes have a relatively high price?
Small prints can still require setup, monitoring, removal, cleanup, communication, and packing. Those labor costs do not fall in proportion to material weight.
Can I use the same approach for filament and resin prints?
Yes. Enter the appropriate material cost and weight, then reflect resin-specific washing, curing, consumables, and cleanup in labor or overhead where applicable.
Should every item use the same markup?
Not always. A consistent markup can simplify estimating, but the chosen percentage may vary with job complexity, risk, demand, or costs not captured by the calculator.
How can I price a batch of identical prints?
Estimate the cost for one unit, then separately consider shared setup time, batch failure risk, packaging, and any volume discount before setting a per-unit price.
Ready to calculate your own result?
Use the live calculator with your own inputs, timing, and preferences.