3D Printing Rate Formula for Small-Scale Jobs
Learn how to calculate the estimated production cost and selling price of a small-scale 3D print.
This formula combines the direct cost of material, electricity, and hands-on labor, then adds overhead and markup. It helps turn a print estimate into a consistent per-item pricing starting point.
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Recommended Selling Price
Where:
First total the material, energy, and active labor costs. Increase that amount by the overhead allowance, then add the chosen markup to estimate a selling price.
Variables Explained
| Variable | What It Means | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| materialCostPerKg - Material cost per kilogram | Purchase price of filament or resin for one kilogram. | currency |
| printWeight - Print material weight | Estimated material used by the print, including supports or other expected waste. | g |
| printerPower - Average printer power draw | Average power consumed while the printer is operating. | watt |
| printTime - Print time | Expected machine running time for the job. | hours |
| electricityRate - Electricity rate | Cost paid for one kilowatt-hour of electricity. | currency |
| laborHours - Hands-on labor time | Time spent on setup, removal, finishing, cleanup, and packing. | hours |
| laborRate - Labor rate | Hourly value assigned to hands-on work. | currency |
| overheadPercent - Overhead allowance | Percentage added to direct costs for indirect operating expenses. | percent |
| markupPercent - Desired markup | Percentage added above estimated production cost. | percent |
Step-by-Step Calculation
Calculate material cost
Convert print weight from grams to kilograms, then multiply by the material price per kilogram.
materialCost = materialCostPerKg * printWeight / 1000
Calculate electricity cost
Convert watts to kilowatts and multiply by print time and the electricity price.
electricityCost = printerPower / 1000 * printTime * electricityRate
Calculate labor cost
Multiply active working time by the selected hourly labor rate.
laborCost = laborHours * laborRate
Find direct production cost
Add the three direct cost categories.
directCost = materialCost + electricityCost + laborCost
Add overhead
Increase direct cost by the allowance for indirect costs such as maintenance and consumables.
totalProductionCost = directCost * (1 + overheadPercent / 100)
Apply markup
Add the selected markup to the estimated total production cost.
recommendedSellingPrice = totalProductionCost * (1 + markupPercent / 100)
Worked example: 120 g FDM print
Material cost
$25.00 * 120 / 1000
$3.00
Electricity cost
150 / 1000 * 8 * $0.18
$0.22
Labor cost
0.5 * $20.00
$10.00
Direct cost
$3.00 + $0.22 + $10.00
$13.22
Production cost with overhead
$13.216 * 1.10
$14.54
Suggested selling price
$14.5376 * 1.40
$20.35
Final Result
Estimated production cost: $14.54. Suggested selling price with 40% markup: $20.35.
Assumptions
- ✓The entered material weight includes expected supports, rafts, purge material, or resin loss where applicable.
- ✓Printer power draw and electricity price remain constant over the print.
- ✓Overhead is calculated as a percentage of direct material, electricity, and labor costs.
- ✓Markup is added to production cost rather than calculated as a target profit margin on the final price.
Limitations
- !The estimate does not automatically include shipping, packaging, payment processing, marketplace charges, taxes, or design-license costs.
- !A percentage overhead allowance may not fully reflect unusual repairs, high failure rates, or printer replacement costs.
- !Material estimates from slicers can differ from actual usage.
- !The calculation does not assess market demand, competition, or the value of a design.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Entering a printer's maximum rated wattage instead of its average operating power draw.
Using only print time as labor time and omitting setup, support removal, finishing, and packing.
Forgetting to include supports, purge waste, test pieces, or resin cleanup losses in material usage.
Treating markup and profit margin as the same percentage.
Assuming the suggested price includes delivery, taxes, platform fees, or custom design work when those costs were not entered.
Related Formulas
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the formula for 3D print cost?
Add material cost, electricity cost, and hands-on labor cost. Then add overhead to estimate total production cost. This calculator applies markup after that step to suggest a selling price.
How is filament cost calculated per print?
Multiply the material price per kilogram by the print weight in kilograms. For example, 120 g at $25 per kg costs $3.00.
How do I calculate 3D printer electricity cost?
Divide average power in watts by 1,000, multiply by print hours, then multiply by the electricity price per kWh.
Does print time count as labor?
Not necessarily. Print time is used here for electricity cost, while labor means the time you actively spend preparing, finishing, or packing the item.
Why is overhead added before markup?
Overhead is part of estimated production cost. Adding it before markup allows the markup to be applied to a fuller estimate of what it takes to produce the item.
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