Whether you’re a hobbyist making small prototypes or a business sourcing industrial parts, knowing how to calculate the unit price of 3D printing is essential to avoid overspending. The unit price isn’t a fixed number—it depends on materials, printing time, technology, and more. This guide breaks down the 5 most common calculation methods, key influencing factors, and practical tips to help you get accurate, cost-effective quotes.
1. 5 Common Methods to Calculate the Unit Price of 3D Printing
Different 3D printing service providers use different pricing models. Below are the most widely used methods, each with clear formulas, examples, and best-use scenarios:
Method 1: Material Weight-Based Calculation (Most Popular for Hobbyists)
This method focuses on the weight of the 3D-printed part and the cost of the raw material, plus a profit margin.
Formula: Unit Price = (Part Weight × Material Unit Price) × Profit Margin
| Key Component | Description |
| Part Weight | Measured in grams (g); can be found via 3D modeling software (e.g., Cura). |
| Material Unit Price | Varies by material type (e.g., PLA is cheaper than metal). |
| Profit Margin | Typically 1.5–3x, set by the service provider to cover labor and overhead. |
Example:
- Part weight: 100 grams
- Material: PLA (0.3 RMB/gram)
- Profit margin: 2x
Unit Price = (100 × 0.3) × 2 = 30 × 2 = 60 RMB
Method 2: Printing Time-Based Calculation (Common for Industrial Use)
This method charges based on how long the printer runs, combining equipment depreciation, energy, and labor costs into an hourly rate.
Formula: Unit Price = Printing Time (Hours) × Hourly Rate (RMB/Hour)
Hourly rates vary drastically by printer type:
| Printer Type | Hourly Rate (RMB/Hour) | Best For |
| Ordinary FDM Printer | 20 ~ 50 | Simple PLA/ABS parts (e.g., toys, small brackets) |
| High-Precision Curing Printer (SLA/DLP) | 50 ~ 150 | Detailed resin parts (e.g., jewelry, dental models) |
| Industrial-Grade Metal Printer (SLM/EBM) | 200 ~ 500 | Heavy-duty metal parts (e.g., aerospace components) |
Example:
- Printing time: 3 hours
- Printer type: High-precision curing printer (80 RMB/hour)
Unit Price = 3 × 80 = 240 RMB
Method 3: Model Volume-Based Calculation (Useful for Resin/Metal Parts)
Some providers charge by the part’s volume (cubic centimeters, cm³), as volume better reflects material usage for complex shapes.
Formula: Unit Price = Model Volume (cm³) × Rate per cm³ (RMB/cm³)
Rates per cm³ depend on material:
| Material Type | Rate per cm³ (RMB/cm³) | Typical Applications |
| PLA | 0.1 ~ 0.5 | Hobby projects, low-strength prototypes |
| Resin (Photosensitive) | 0.5 ~ 2 | High-detail parts (e.g., miniatures) |
| Metal (Stainless Steel) | 5 ~ 20 | Industrial parts, functional components |
Example:
- Model volume: 80 cm³
- Material: Resin (1 RMB/cm³)
Unit Price = 80 × 1 = 80 RMB
Method 4: Service Type-Based Calculation (Flexible for Custom Needs)
This method splits costs into separate services: printing, post-processing, and design. You only pay for what you need.
| Service Category | Cost Range (RMB) | What It Covers |
| Print Service | 20 ~ 5,000 | Basic printing (billed via weight, time, or volume). |
| Post-Processing Service | 10 ~ 500 | Sanding, painting, plating, or assembly. |
| Design Service | 100 ~ 1,000 | 3D model modification or optimization. |
Example:
- Print service: 50 RMB (via weight method)
- Post-processing: Sanding (30 RMB) + Painting (80 RMB)
- No design service needed
Total Unit Price = 50 + 30 + 80 = 160 RMB
Method 5: Batch-Based Calculation (Best for Large Orders)
The more parts you order, the lower the unit price—since fixed costs (e.g., printer setup) are spread across more units.
Formula: Unit Price (Batch) = (Single Unit Price × Batch Quantity × Discount Rate) ÷ Batch Quantity
Example:
- Single unit price (1–10 parts): 100 RMB
- Batch quantity: 20 parts
- Discount rate: 80% (common for 11+ parts)
Total Batch Price = 100 × 20 × 0.8 = 1,600 RMB
Unit Price (Batch) = 1,600 ÷ 20 = 80 RMB
2. 6 Key Factors That Affect the Unit Price of 3D Printing
Even with the right calculation method, the unit price can change based on these critical factors. Understanding them helps you optimize costs:
(1) Material Cost (Biggest Price Driver)
Material is the single most influential factor—cheap materials like PLA keep prices low, while metals and special resins drive costs up.
| Material Type | Unit Price (RMB/gram) | Key Features |
| PLA (Normal) | 0.1 ~ 0.5 | Low-cost, eco-friendly, for simple parts |
| ABS (Normal) | 0.2 ~ 0.8 | Durable, heat-resistant, for functional parts |
| Resin (Photosensitive) | 1 ~ 5 | High-detail, smooth surface, for precision parts |
| Nylon (Powder) | 2 ~ 10 | Flexible, strong, for industrial prototypes |
| Stainless Steel | 10 ~ 50 | Heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant, for machinery parts |
| Titanium Alloy | 50 ~ 100 | Ultra-strong, lightweight, for aerospace/medical parts |
(2) Model Complexity
Complex models take longer to print and need more post-processing, raising the unit price:
- Simple models (e.g., solid blocks): No supports, short print time → Lower price (20 ~ 100 RMB).
- Complex models (e.g., hollow structures with thin walls <2mm): More supports, longer print time → Higher price (100 ~ 500 RMB).
(3) 3D Printing Technology
Different technologies have varying equipment and maintenance costs:
- FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling): Cheapest (20 ~ 50 RMB/hour) → Best for PLA/ABS parts.
- SLA/DLP (Light Curing): Mid-range (50 ~ 150 RMB/hour) → Best for high-detail resin parts.
- SLM/EBM (Metal 3D Printing): Most expensive (200 ~ 500 RMB/hour) → Best for industrial metal parts.
(4) Post-Processing Requirements
Basic post-processing (e.g., simple sanding) adds little cost, but complex steps can double the unit price:
| Post-Processing Step | Cost (RMB/part) | Impact on Unit Price |
| Simple Sanding | 10 ~ 50 | Adds 5 ~ 25% to base price |
| Painting | 50 ~ 200 | Adds 25 ~ 100% to base price |
| Plating | 100 ~ 500 | Adds 50 ~ 250% to base price |
| Assembly | 50 ~ 200 | Adds 25 ~ 100% to base price |
(5) Precision & Surface Quality
Higher precision (e.g., ±0.01mm tolerance) or smoother surfaces (e.g., mirror effects) require slower printing and more quality checks:
- Low precision (±0.5mm): No extra cost.
- Medium precision (±0.1 ~ 0.3mm): Adds 10 ~ 30% to unit price.
- High precision (±0.01 ~ 0.05mm): Adds 30 ~ 60% to unit price.
(6) Service Provider Type
Small studios and large industrial providers have different pricing:
- Hobbyist studios: Lower prices (20 ~ 200 RMB/part) → Good for simple projects.
- Industrial service providers: Higher prices (100 ~ 5,000 RMB/part) → Better for high-quality, bulk orders (with volume discounts).
3. Reference Range of 3D Printing Unit Prices
To help you gauge if a quote is reasonable, here’s a breakdown of typical unit prices by material and technology:
| Material/Technology | Unit Price Range (RMB/part) | Common Use Cases |
| PLA (FDM, Simple) | 20 ~ 100 | Toys, small prototypes, decorative items |
| ABS (FDM, Complex) | 50 ~ 200 | Functional parts (e.g., phone cases) |
| Resin (SLA, High-Precision) | 100 ~ 500 | Jewelry, dental models, detailed miniatures |
| Metal (SLM, Industrial) | 500 ~ 5,000 | Aerospace components, medical implants |
| Parts with Post-Processing | 100 ~ 1,000 | Painted prototypes, assembled parts |
4. 5 Practical Tips to Reduce the Unit Price of 3D Printing
You don’t have to sacrifice quality to cut costs. Try these strategies:
- Optimize model design: Remove unnecessary supports (e.g., use self-supporting angles) and simplify geometry to reduce print time by 10 ~ 25%.
- Choose the right material: Use PLA instead of ABS for non-functional parts, or resin instead of metal for small, detailed items—saving 50 ~ 80% on material costs.
- Order in bulk: Ask for volume discounts (e.g., 80% off for 10+ parts) to lower unit prices by 20 ~ 40%.
- Do self-post-processing: Handle simple steps like sanding or cleaning yourself instead of paying the service provider—saving 10 ~ 50 RMB/part.
- Pick economical technology: Use FDM instead of SLA for large, low-detail parts—hourly rates for FDM are 30 ~ 60% lower than SLA.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on 3D Printing Unit Price
At Yigu Technology, we believe transparency and customization are key to fair 3D printing pricing. Many clients overpay because they use the wrong calculation method (e.g., time-based for simple PLA parts) or don’t optimize their models. Our team helps clients choose the right method—for example, weight-based for hobby projects and time-based for industrial metal parts—and optimizes designs to cut support use by 20 ~ 30%. We also offer flexible volume discounts: even 10+ parts get 20% off, and 100+ parts get 40% off. By breaking down quotes into material, time, and post-processing costs, we ensure clients know exactly where their money goes—making 3D printing accessible and cost-effective for all needs.
FAQ
- Which calculation method is best for small hobby projects (e.g., PLA toys)?
For small hobby projects, the material weight-based method is best. It’s simple to calculate (just need part weight and material price) and most hobbyist studios use it. For a 50-gram PLA toy, the unit price would be around 30 ~ 60 RMB—affordable and easy to verify.
- Why does titanium alloy 3D printing have such a high unit price (500 ~ 5,000 RMB/part)?
Titanium alloy is expensive (50 ~ 100 RMB/gram) and requires industrial-grade SLM/EBM printers (200 ~ 500 RMB/hour). It also needs complex post-processing (e.g., heat treatment) to meet strength standards. All these factors combine to push the unit price much higher than PLA or resin parts.
- Can I negotiate the unit price with a 3D printing service provider?
Yes—especially for bulk orders or simple parts. If you order 50+ parts, ask for a 20 ~ 30% discount. For simple designs, you can also negotiate to lower the profit margin (e.g., from 3x to 2x) or skip unnecessary post-processing steps to cut costs by 10 ~ 25%.