Resources
How much does 3D printing cost?
What sets the price
- Material used: bigger and bulkier parts use more plastic or resin. Hollow or thin-walled shapes use far less than solid blocks.
- Print time: printers build a part layer by layer, so tall parts and parts with lots of detail take longer. Time on the printer is a large share of the price.
- Supports: overhangs and bridges need temporary support material that is printed, then removed.
- The material itself: PLA and PETG cost least; carbon and glass fiber, high-temperature and specialty plastics, and engineering resins cost more.
- Strength: more walls and denser fill make a part stronger and use more material. At ply the choices are Economy, Balanced, Strong and Heavy.
- Colors: multi-color parts pay for each color change, measured from your file.
- Quantity: the one-time setup is shared across the order, so the price per part drops as the quantity goes up.
- Shipping speed: Standard, 2-Day or Overnight, shown in the cart.
How to lower the price
- Choose the lowest strength that does the job: Economy or Balanced for models and prototypes.
- Choose PLA when the part has no heat, outdoor or impact needs.
- Give the part a flat base and avoid big overhangs, so it needs less support.
- Order several at once: the price per part drops from 5 parts.
- Multi-color: color in a few spots costs far less than a color change on every layer.
- Hollow out bulky parts in your design (keep walls thick enough), especially for resin, which prints solid.
More in the design guidelines. To see your price, upload your file: it takes seconds and needs no account.
Common questions
How much does it cost to 3D print a part?
It depends on the part: how big it is, how much material it uses, how long it takes to print, any supports, the material and the quantity. Online services with instant quotes, like ply, show the exact price as soon as you upload your file.
Why does a small part sometimes cost more than expected?
Every order has some fixed work (preparing the print, checking it, removing it from the printer), so a single tiny part carries that on its own. Ordering several shares it: at ply the price per part drops from 5 parts.
Is resin printing more expensive than plastic (FDM)?
Usually per part, yes: resin parts print solid and resins cost more than everyday plastics. Resin is worth it for fine detail and smooth surfaces; for working parts, FDM plastics are the better value.
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