The True Cost of 3D Printing
Most makers underprice their work because they only calculate filament cost. To run a profitable farm, you must account for Electricity and Machine Depreciation.
Hidden Costs: Power & Wear
An Ender 3 or Bambu Labs printer runs for hours. We calculate the Watts/Hour against your local kWh rate (average $0.14/kWh). We also amortize your machine's lifespan (e.g., 2,500 print hours) to cover the inevitable replacement of nozzles, fans, and belts.
The "Failure Rate" Buffer
Prints fail. It's a fact of life. Whether it's a bed adhesion issue or a spaghetti monster, you need a buffer. Our tool adds a default 10% Failure Rate to your cost, acting as "self-insurance" so your successful sales pay for the failed ones.
Pro Tip: Reduce your failure rate by keeping your filament dry. Moisture is the #1 enemy of print quality. A simple filament dryer or dry box can save you hundreds of dollars in failed prints over a year.
Printing ROI FAQs
Does infill percentage affect price?▼
Yes, significantly. Higher infill uses more material and triples print time (increasing electricity cost). Only use high infill (>20%) for functional mechanical parts that need strength.
How do I calculate grams without a scale?▼
Your Slicer software (Cura, PrusaSlicer, Orca) will give you an estimated weight in grams after slicing. Use that number in this calculator for a pre-print estimate.