How much to charge for 3D prints
Deutsch · Use the quick cost calculator
A single plate's filament cost is only part of a build. A helmet, display model or multi-part prop can involve several plates, failed attempts, assembly materials and finishing time.
BenchTare is a free 3D printing cost calculator and project tracker. Keep those entries together, compare slicer estimates with recorded values, and see which costs still need entering.
Start with every physical print run
Start your selling price with the cost of the whole project, then add your chosen markup and any selling fees. There is no universal price per gram that covers every build.
Add plates manually or import a supported sliced print file. BenchTare can read supported text G-code, Prusa-format binary G-code metadata and sliced 3MF contents. Compatibility depends on the export. Review the estimates; for a single material with missing weight, you can calculate it from the exported length or volume using your filament properties, then enter a price per kilogram. Calculated inputs are recorded in the plate notes. A geometry-only 3MF does not contain the sliced print estimates.
Count support, purge and tower material when it is consumed. Keep a failed attempt and its replacement as separate runs. Updating the estimate for an existing plate is different from printing it again.
A worked example: a three-part display build
These are illustrative inputs in CHF, not a customer record or recommended tariff. Use your own material prices, electricity tariff and recorded consumption.
| Cost item | Calculation | CHF |
|---|---|---|
| Three successful print runs | 500 g total × CHF 20/kg ÷ 1,000 | 10.00 |
| Failed attempt | 50 g consumed × CHF 20/kg ÷ 1,000 | 1.00 |
| Estimated electricity | 12 hours across all runs × 0.15 kW × CHF 0.30/kWh | 0.54 |
| Machine allowance | 12 hours × CHF 0.50/hour | 6.00 |
| Assembly materials | Glue and fasteners | 3.00 |
| Hands-on labour | 45 minutes ÷ 60 × CHF 20/hour | 15.00 |
| Total with the selected inputs | 35.54 | |
The filament subtotal is CHF 11.00. Electricity, assembly materials and labour bring the subtotal to CHF 29.54; the machine allowance brings the production cost to CHF 35.54. The successful-run weights include any supports and purge material; the failed-run weight is what that attempt actually consumed.
The machine allowance is an illustrative contribution towards equipment and maintenance, separate from electricity. This production total excludes packaging, shipping, selling fees and profit. Include applicable costs once, using your own figures.
Use a 3D print pricing calculator to add markup and fees
For this example, add CHF 2.00 packaging to CHF 35.54 production cost: a cost base of CHF 37.54. With 100% markup on cost and no selling fees, the selling price is CHF 75.08. With 200% markup, it is CHF 112.62. Shipping is excluded here; add it if you pay for it.
Markup and profit margin are different. A 100% markup doubles your cost; before fees, this gives a 50% margin on the selling price. BenchTare lets you choose either method and accepts markup above 100%, including decimal values.
If a platform charges 10% of the final selling price, divide the marked-up amount by 0.90. CHF 75.08 ÷ 0.90 = CHF 83.43, rounded up to the next cent. Simply adding 10% would not fully cover a fee charged on the final price.
These are examples, not recommended prices. Allow for overheads such as workspace rent, insurance and stock, and check that your chosen price covers them. A markup does not guarantee profit if costs are missing. Taxes and platform-specific fee rules need separate consideration.
Calculate your own print price
Filament cost calculator: turn grams into cost
Filament cost = grams consumed ÷ 1,000 × price per kilogram. At CHF 20/kg, a 100 g print uses CHF 2.00 of filament. Include supports, purge material and failed attempts; for multiple colours or materials, calculate each material at its own price and add the results.
Filament inventory tracker: plan the next build
Record your spools, purchase prices and remaining grams in BenchTare, then compare the recorded stock with your project requirements. Keep remaining amounts up to date: this is a manual inventory record, not a live sensor reading from your printer.
Keep estimates and recorded values distinct
Slicer time and weight are estimates. Record actual consumption and elapsed time when you know them. Until then, a total based partly on estimates remains provisional. Unknown cost is not the same as zero cost.
For electricity, use an estimate from time and average power, a measured whole-project kWh value, or a manual amount. A measured project figure replaces the estimate; it should not be added on top.
Use BenchTare for the whole build
Track plates and replacements, manage filament inventory, add materials and hands-on labour, and include an optional machine allowance. Download PDF or Excel reports to explain your figures, and a JSON backup to keep an editable copy.
Do I need an account?
No. Projects and imported files are processed in your browser. You can choose to remember projects on your device; download a backup for a separate copy. Reports are snapshots, not editable backups. The app uses cookie-free Cloudflare site analytics, which do not receive your project contents or imported files.
Can I try it without my own slicer file?
Yes. The interactive demo uses clearly labelled example projects. Explore its plates, costs and filament inventory before starting your own build.