How I Price My 3D Prints: Full Cost Breakdown + Profit Margin Guide
When I first started selling 3D prints, I was totally winging it. I’d look at other Etsy listings, guess a price that “felt right,” and hit publish. Sound familiar?
If you’re doing the same thing, you’re not alone—but you also won’t make consistent profit that way.
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how I price my 3D prints, using a real-world example (my large articulated dragon). I’ll also share a free tool I built that makes this process super simple.
Let’s break it down.
What You Need to Consider When Pricing 3D Prints
Before you throw a number on your Etsy listing, here are the core things that need to go into your pricing:
1. Filament Cost
Filament is usually sold by the kilogram. To figure out the material cost, you’ll need to know how many grams your print used and your price per gram.
Example:
If filament costs $20/kg and your print uses 160g, the material cost is:
- $0.02/gram × 160g = $3.20
2. Electricity Usage
Your printer uses power the entire time it’s running, and while the cost may seem small, it adds up. For simplicity, I estimate $0.10 per hour.
Example:
- 6-hour print × $0.10/hr = $0.60
3. Your Time
Don’t forget your own labor! Cleaning, removing supports, sanding, packaging—it all takes time. I value my time at $10/hour, so a 20-minute task costs about:
- ⅓ hour × $10/hr = $3.30
4. Packaging and Extras
Factor in things like:
- Bubble wrap, boxes, tape
- Thank-you cards or freebies
Example:
- Basic packaging = $1.00
5. Profit Margin
You’re not just covering costs—you’re running a business! Aim for a healthy profit margin that takes Etsy fees and future growth into account.
Real-World Example: Large Articulated Dragon
Let’s run the numbers:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Filament (160g) | $3.20 |
| Electricity (6 hrs) | $0.60 |
| My Time (20 mins) | $3.30 |
| Packaging | $1.00 |
| Total Cost | $8.10 |
With Etsy fees and profit in mind, I price this model at $14.99.
That gives me a solid margin—and keeps the business sustainable.
Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid
Here are a few traps I fell into (so you don’t have to):
❌ Guessing or copying others
Just because someone else is charging $10 doesn’t mean that’s a profitable price.
❌ Pricing too low to “beat the competition”
Cheap doesn’t always sell better. In fact, low prices can make your product seem low-quality. Plus, it creates a race to the bottom and hurts everyone.
❌ Not paying yourself
Even if this is your side hustle, your time has value. Always include labor in your cost breakdown.
❌ Ignoring copyright
Don’t sell prints you don’t have a license for. Stick with original models or licensed files to keep your shop safe.
The Easy Way: My Free 3D Printing Cost Calculator
To save time (and your sanity), I built a tool that does all the math for you.
🛠️ 3D Printing Cost Calculator
Just plug in:
- Filament cost per kg
- Filament used (grams)
- Print time
- Electricity cost
- Your hourly rate
- Power consumption (watts)
Hit calculate, and you’ll get a near-accurate cost. Add your desired profit margin—and boom—you’ve got your price.
Final Thoughts
If you want to run a successful 3D printing business, stop guessing your prices.
Do the math once. Price with confidence. And most importantly—pay yourself.
Want me to price out one of your 3D prints in a future post or video? Drop a comment with your print details, and I’d love to make it part of a new series.
👉 If this helped, be sure to check out the other tools on my site and subscribe for more 3D printing business tips.
🔗 For more resources, visit: I Love 3D Printing – Tools
This page contains affiliate links and I earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of the links, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
