Combined 3D Services

3D Printing Cost: How Much Does It Really Cost to 3D Print a Part?

Posted on by Shelle Parsons

What Determines 3D Printing Cost?

The cost of 3D printing a part depends on five key factors: technology, material, part size, complexity, and quantity. Understanding these factors helps you budget accurately and choose the right process for your project.

1. Technology

Different 3D printing technologies have different cost structures:

  • FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) — Most affordable. Best for prototypes, fixtures, and functional parts. Typical cost: $5-50 per part for small-to-medium parts.
  • SLA (Stereolithography) — Higher detail, smooth surfaces. Great for presentation models and parts requiring tight tolerances. Typical cost: $10-100 per part.
  • SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) — No support structures needed, excellent for complex geometries. Typical cost: $20-200 per part.
  • PolyJet — Multi-material, multi-color capability. Premium pricing: $50-500+ per part.

2. Material

Material choice significantly impacts cost:

  • PLA/ABS — $0.50-2.00 per cubic inch of material
  • Nylon (PA12) — $1.50-4.00 per cubic inch
  • ULTEM/PEEK — $5-15+ per cubic inch (aerospace-grade)
  • Photopolymer resins — $1-5 per cubic inch depending on properties

3. Part Size and Volume

3D printing cost scales with material volume, not just bounding box size. A hollow part costs significantly less than a solid one. Infill percentage (typically 15-50%) is a major cost lever.

4. Complexity

Unlike CNC machining, 3D printing doesn’t charge extra for complexity — a part with 100 holes costs the same as a simple block of the same volume. This is one of 3D printing’s biggest advantages for complex geometries.

5. Quantity

Per-part cost drops significantly with quantity due to setup amortization and build plate optimization:

  • 1 part: highest per-unit cost (setup + print time)
  • 10 parts: typically 30-50% less per unit
  • 100+ parts: 50-70% less per unit (at this volume, consider injection molding)

When Does 3D Printing Make Sense vs. Traditional Manufacturing?

3D printing is most cost-effective when:

  • You need 1-100 parts (below injection molding tooling threshold)
  • Parts have complex internal geometries that can’t be machined
  • You need parts fast (days, not weeks)
  • You’re still iterating on the design
  • Tooling cost for injection molding isn’t justified yet

Get an Accurate Quote

Every project is different. The best way to know your actual cost is to send us your CAD file for a free quote. We’ll recommend the right technology and material for your application and budget.

PartSnap offers FDM, SLA, SLS, and PolyJet 3D printing with same-week turnaround from our facility in Wichita Falls, Texas.