3D printing has made custom figures—from anime characters to collectible models—more accessible than ever. But one question keeps hobbyists, small businesses, and designers up at night: Is the cost of 3D printing figures high? The answer isn’t a simple “yes” or “no”—it depends on four core factors: equipment, materials, design, and post-processing. By breaking down these costs and sharing real-world examples, we’ll help you understand when 3D printing figures is budget-friendly and when it becomes more expensive. Whether you’re a hobbyist printing a single model or a brand making high-end collectibles, this guide will let you control costs without sacrificing quality.
1. Equipment Costs: From Budget-Friendly to Industrial-Grade
The biggest upfront cost for 3D printing figures is the printer itself—and prices vary wildly. Your choice of printer depends on how many figures you’ll make and how detailed they need to be.
3D Printer Options for Figure Printing
| Printer Type | Price Range (CNY) | Best For | Key Cost Notes |
| Entry-Level FDM | 2,000 – 5,000 | Hobbyists, small-scale prints (e.g., simple cartoon figures) | Low upfront cost; uses affordable consumables (PLA/ABS) |
| Mid-Range FDM | 5,000 – 15,000 | Small businesses, detailed hobby prints (e.g., game character figures) | Better precision; needs occasional maintenance (print heads, platforms) |
| Industrial-Grade SLA (Light-Curing) | 15,000 – 100,000+ | High-end collectibles, ultra-detailed figures (e.g., anime statues) | Delivers smooth surfaces; higher maintenance (resin tanks, UV lamps) |
For example, a hobbyist printing 10cm-tall Pokémon figures can start with a \(300 (≈2,100 CNY) entry-level FDM printer. But a brand making 30cm-tall, highly detailed anime statues will need an SLA printer for \)2,000 (≈14,000 CNY) to get crisp details like facial expressions or clothing folds. Don’t forget ongoing costs: FDM printers need new print heads every 6–12 months (\(20–\)50), while SLA printers require resin tank replacements (\(50–\)200) every 3–6 months.
2. Material Costs: Cheap for Basics, Pricy for Premium Quality
The material you use for 3D printing figures directly impacts cost—and quality. PLA is the cheapest option, but resin is needed for museum-worthy details.
Cost Comparison of Figure Printing Materials
| Material Type | Cost per Unit | Key Traits | Ideal Figure Use-Cases |
| PLA (Polylactic Acid) | \(15–\)30 / kg | Easy to print; matte finish; low strength | Simple, decorative figures (e.g., desk toys) |
| ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) | \(20–\)40 / kg | Durable; slightly flexible; needs ventilation | Figures for kids (resistant to drops) |
| Resin (SLA) | \(50–\)150 / liter | Ultra-smooth; high detail; brittle | High-end collectibles (e.g., anime statues, game character replicas) |
How does this play out? A 10cm-tall hollow figure printed with PLA uses ~50g of material—costing just \(1–\)2. The same figure printed with high-quality resin uses ~30ml of material—costing \(3–\)7. For larger figures (e.g., 20cm-tall solid models), PLA costs jump to \(5–\)10, while resin costs hit \(15–\)30. Material usage also depends on design: a figure with complex details (like wings or armor) uses 20–30% more material than a simple, smooth model.
3. Design Costs: Save Money If You Can Model, Pay More for Expertise
You can’t print a figure without a 3D model—and design costs vary based on whether you do it yourself or hire a pro.
Design Cost Scenarios
| Scenario | Cost Range (CNY) | What You Get | Best For |
| DIY Modeling (e.g., Tinkercad, Blender) | \(0 – \)50 (for software) | Basic to moderate models; limited detail | Hobbyists with design skills; simple figures |
| Freelance Designer | \(50 – \)500 | Custom models; moderate detail (e.g., basic anime characters) | Small businesses; one-off custom figures |
| Professional Studio | \(500 – \)5,000+ | High-detail models (e.g., game characters with textures) | Brands; limited-edition collectibles |
For instance, a hobbyist using Blender (free software) can make a simple cat figure model in 2–3 hours—costing nothing. But a brand needing a replica of a popular video game character (with detailed armor and facial features) will pay a studio \(1,000–\)3,000 for the model. Don’t forget design optimization: even a great model may need tweaks (e.g., adding support structures) to print well—adding \(50–\)200 to the cost if done by a pro.
4. Post-Processing Costs: Time and Labor Add Up
A 3D printed figure isn’t ready to display right out of the printer—it needs sanding, painting, and repairs. These steps add time and cost, especially for high-quality results.
Post-Processing Tasks and Costs
| Task | Tools/Materials Needed | Time per Figure | Cost per Figure (CNY) |
| Sanding & Repair | Sandpaper (100–400 grit), files, glue | 30–60 mins | \(2–\)5 (tools last for 10–20 figures) |
| Basic Coloring | Acrylic paints, brushes, primer | 1–2 hours | \(3–\)10 (paint lasts for 5–10 figures) |
| Professional Painting | Airbrush, high-quality paints, clear coat | 3–5 hours | \(50–\)200+ |
Take a 15cm-tall anime figure: a hobbyist can sand and paint it at home for \(5–\)15 total. But a brand selling “premium” figures will hire a professional painter, adding \(100–\)150 to each figure’s cost. For complex designs (e.g., figures with 5+ colors or gradient effects), professional painting costs can double.
So, Is 3D Printing Figures High-Cost? It Depends on Your Goals
Let’s wrap up with two real-world examples to show how costs change:
Example 1: Hobbyist Printing a Simple Figure
- Printer: Entry-level FDM ($300, one-time cost)
- Material: PLA ($2 for 50g)
- Design: DIY Blender model ($0)
- Post-Processing: Home sanding/painting ($3)
- Total Cost per Figure: ~\(5 (plus \)300 upfront for the printer)
Example 2: Brand Printing a High-End Collectible
- Printer: Industrial SLA ($2,000, one-time cost)
- Material: Premium resin ($20 for 100ml)
- Design: Professional studio model ($1,500, one-time for the design)
- Post-Processing: Professional painting ($150)
- Total Cost per Figure (for 50 units): ~$174 (includes design amortization and printer upkeep)
Yigu Technology’s Perspective
At Yigu Technology, we’ve helped clients from hobbyists to brands optimize 3D figure printing costs. For hobbyists, we recommend entry-level FDM printers with PLA to keep costs low. For brands, we suggest SLA printers for detail and partnering with freelance designers for custom models (saves 30–40% vs. studios). Post-processing is where many overspend—we teach clients basic sanding/painting to cut professional fees by half. 3D printing figures doesn’t have to be expensive; it’s about matching tools and materials to your goals.
FAQ
- Can I reduce 3D printing figure costs without losing quality?
Yes! Use hollow designs (cuts material use by 30–50%), print multiple small figures at once (saves time/energy), and learn basic post-processing (avoids professional fees). For details, switch to resin only for critical parts (e.g., faces) and use PLA for bodies.
- Is it cheaper to 3D print a figure or buy a mass-produced one?
For one-off or custom figures, 3D printing is cheaper (mass-produced custom figures cost \(50+). For popular, mass-produced figures (e.g., \)20 anime models), buying is cheaper—3D printing would cost \(5–\)15 plus your time.
- How much does it cost to 3D print a life-sized (160cm) figure?
Very high—\(500–\)2,000+. You’ll need a large-format FDM printer (\(1,000+), 5–10kg of PLA (\)75–\(300), a professional model (\)1,000+), and extensive post-processing ($200+). It’s only cost-effective for unique, high-value displays (e.g., store props).