3D print cost
Work out what a part costs you to print: filament, electricity, failure margin and hardware.
Part and printer
Estimated cost
Total
€1.28
- Filament
- €1.10
- Electricity
- €0.07
- Failure margin
- €0.12
- Extras
- €0.00
Tips
Your slicer (Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio…) tells you the grams and time when you slice the part. A home printer draws 100-250 W on average, more with a large bed or a heated enclosure.
For airsoft parts that take load (mounts, alignment kits), PETG, ASA or nylon are usually worth it: a bit pricier, but they handle heat and impacts better than PLA.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small part cost to print?
A 20-50 g part in PLA or PETG usually costs under €2 in filament and power. Machine time and failed prints tend to matter more.
Why add a failure margin?
Because not every print works first time: warping, clogs or tuning. 10-15 % is reasonable for known parts; more for engineering materials.
How do I find my printer's power draw?
With a plug-in power meter during a print, or from the manufacturer's specs. If you don't know, 150 W is a reasonable average for a desktop printer.