Phone stand (PLA)
Cost
- Material: 0.50 GBP (25g PLA)
- Labour: 2.00 GBP (setup + cleanup)
- Overhead: 0.30 GBP
- Total cost: 2.80 GBP
Prices
- Etsy (x3.0): 8.40 GBP
- Professional (x4.0): 11.20 GBP
- Custom (x5.0): 14.00 GBP
How to Price 3D Prints for Profit
A practical pricing framework for Etsy sellers, side hustles, and professional 3D printing services.
Reality check: If you only charge "filament cost + a bit", you are donating your time. Include labour, overhead, and profit.
The Complete 3D Printing Pricing Formula
Standard formula
Price = (Material + Labour + Overhead) x Markup
Costs first. Profit on purpose.
Cost components
Material
Filament/resin, supports, waste, failed prints, purge.
Labour
Setup, post-processing, packing, customer messages, admin.
Overhead
Electricity, maintenance, parts, tools, depreciation.
Typical markup ranges
Etsy / hobby market
x2.0 to x3.0
Professional services
x3.0 to x5.0
Custom / rush work
x5.0+
These are guardrails so you do not accidentally run a charity.
Examples
Custom bracket (PETG)
Cost
- Material: 1.20 GBP (60g PETG)
- Labour: 8.00 GBP (design + finish)
- Overhead: 0.60 GBP
- Total cost: 9.80 GBP
Prices
- Etsy (x3.0): 29.40 GBP
- Professional (x4.0): 39.20 GBP
- Custom (x5.0): 49.00 GBP
Quick pricing calculator
Common mistakes
Underpricing
It feels safe until you realise you are paying yourself nothing.
Ignoring hidden costs
Nozzles, failures, electricity, packaging, maintenance.
Not tracking labour
Post-processing and customer messages are labour. Charge for it.
One-size-fits-all pricing
Different products and clients justify different pricing.