How much does 3D printing cost?

A full-size Formula 1 car: €1,962

An extreme case. A customer asked us what it would cost to 3D print an F1 car at 1:1 scale.

We put all 213 parts through the slicer. The project never went ahead, but the calculation is real, and it shows better than any long explanation where a 3D printing price comes from.

You pay for printer hours, not plastic

On the F1 project, machine time costs more than twice as much as the material. That's the counter-intuitive part of 3D printing: you aren't really paying for plastic, you're paying for printer hours.

The price of a 3D print ranges from around €13 for a small, simple part to several hundred euros for a complex project. The rest of this guide shows real examples, how we calculate a price and how to keep yours down.

The 5 factors that set the price of a 3D print

1. Volume of material

The bigger and denser your part, the more filament it uses. A hollow object (20% infill) costs far less than a solid one (100%), which is why we set the infill according to what the part is for.

2. Print time

Machine time is a major part of the cost: a 2-hour part and a 20-hour part obviously don't cost the same. Layer height, print speed and geometry all affect how long it takes.

3. Material

PLA is the cheapest. PETG costs around 15-20% more because of its better properties. TPU is the most expensive of the three, as it prints more slowly and needs specific settings.

4. Complexity and supports

Complex shapes with overhangs need supports, which use extra material and add print time. A design optimised for 3D printing can cut this cost significantly.

5. Finishing and post-processing

Raw printing is the base price. Support removal, sanding, painting or assembling several parts are options that add to the final cost, depending on the finish you want.

What real parts cost to 3D print

No rough ranges: these are parts we actually printed, with their weight, print time and price including VAT. Spin the models round in the viewer.

Why a figurine 18 times heavier costs only 3 times more

All four parts were printed in PLA under the same conditions: a 0.4 mm nozzle and 10% infill. So the difference in price doesn't come from the settings, but from the amount of material and the machine time.

The figurine weighs 18 times as much as the spanner and takes 29 times as long to print, yet it only costs 3 times as much. That's the combined effect of an hourly rate that falls as the print gets longer and a plate preparation charge billed once, whatever the order.

The three small parts, on the other hand, cost almost the same despite their different sizes: printing them comes to less than three euros, and the rest is preparation. Hence the value of grouping several parts in one order.

How a 3D printing price is calculated

Three components, calculated automatically from your file. No opaque flat fees.

Plate preparation

From €10 excluding VAT. Preparing the file, starting the machine, monitoring the print, removing and cleaning the part. Charged once per order, not per part.

Material

Charged by the gram actually used, supports included, not on the theoretical volume of the part. PLA and PETG are our standard materials; flexible TPU and technical materials (ABS, ASA) are available on request, at a higher rate.

Machine time

The biggest item, and it works on a sliding scale: the longer the print, the less each hour costs. A 20-hour part doesn't cost four times as much as a 5-hour one.

Estimate the print time yourself

Print time is the main price factor, and it's fairly easy to guess.

On our machines, with a standard 0.4 mm nozzle, allow about 21 g of filament per hour. That's the average measured over 2,533 of our prints. Divide the estimated weight of your part by 21 and you get an order of magnitude in hours.

What changes the print time, and the price

The nozzle changes everything

A fine 0.2 mm nozzle, needed for very detailed figurines, drops to 9 g/h: more than twice the time for the same weight.

Infill matters little

Most parts are printed hollow, at 10% infill. There's no point asking for solid: it pushes the price up with no real gain in strength.

Size counts more than you think

A part twice as tall uses far more than twice as much material. Scaling a part down by 20% often cuts the price by a third.

How to reduce the cost of your 3D print

1. 1

   Optimise the infill

   Most parts don't need to be solid. 20% infill is often enough for decorative objects, and 40-60% for functional parts. Going from 100% to 20% can divide the cost by two or three.

2. 2

   Reduce the supports needed

   Design your part to keep overhangs beyond 45° to a minimum. A well-chosen print orientation can remove the need for supports entirely, cutting both the cost and the finishing time.

3. 3

   Choose the right material

   PLA is the cheapest. If your part is decorative or takes no load, there's no need for more expensive PETG or TPU.

4. 4

   Group your orders

   Ordering several parts at once shares the shipping cost and the machine set-up time. It's especially worthwhile for small parts.

5. 5

   Adjust the resolution

   A 0.2 mm layer height is ideal for most uses. Going down to 0.1 mm (high resolution) doubles the print time, so keep fine layers for parts where detail really matters.

To pick the right material, see our PLA, PETG and TPU guide.

Work out your price instantly

Upload your 3D file on our order page and get an instant quote. The calculator analyses the volume and the print time automatically and gives you the price for each material. No commitment.

The online checkout takes French addresses. Collection at the workshop in Toulouse is free; for delivery to another country, contact us and we'll give you the shipping cost.

3D modelling (CAD): a cost to plan for

If you don't have a print-ready 3D file, CAD modelling (computer-aided design) is an essential step, and it comes on top of the printing price. For a custom project, it's often the biggest item in the budget.

The cost of modelling depends on the geometric complexity of the part, the number of revisions needed and the level of detail required. A simple part (bracket, cover) takes less work than an organic figurine or an articulated mechanism.

Who owns the 3D file?

By default, the 3D file we model remains the property of Toulouse3DPrint. If you want the file for future orders or changes, you can buy the source file. It's worth it if you plan several copies or variants.

Contact us for a quote covering modelling, printing and, if you wish, the file. You can write to us in English through the form (photos and sketches welcome as attachments), on WhatsApp or by phone at +33 7 59 72 51 81, or by email at contact@toulouse3dprint.fr.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a minimum order value?

No, there's no minimum order. Shipping is charged per parcel, though, so ordering several parts at once is better value. Very small parts (a few centimetres) have a floor price linked to the minimum machine time.

Why does a small part cost around €13?

Because the plate preparation, from €10 excluding VAT and charged once per order, makes up most of it: the printing itself came to less than three euros for each of our three small example parts. Grouping several parts in one order spreads that cost.

Does the colour change the price?

No. All our PLA, PETG and TPU colours are the same price. Only the type of material affects the cost.

How do I get a quote for a project without a 3D file?

Contact us through the form with a description of your project, photos or sketches, in English if you like. We'll send a quote covering CAD modelling and printing; the modelling cost depends on how complex the part is.

Is shipping included in the price shown?

No. Delivery is calculated separately and shown before you confirm the order: Mondial Relay or Colissimo anywhere in France, or free collection at the workshop in Toulouse.

How much does CAD modelling cost on top of printing?

It depends on the complexity of the part and is added to the printing price: a simple part costs less than a detailed figurine or an articulated mechanism. The file stays ours, but you can buy the source file if you want to keep it. Contact us for an overall quote.

Can I order from outside France?

Yes. We ship abroad by Mondial Relay or the carrier of your choice. The online checkout only takes French addresses, so contact us with your country and we'll give you the shipping cost.