3D printer cost calculator
Buying a printer can make sense for regular iteration. This comparison counts the less visible costs as well as the machine and filament.
Set your assumptions
Include the time spent preparing, watching and recovering prints. Change every number to match your own workload.
Estimated annual cost
- Own the printer
- £3,455
- Use a printing service
- £3,840
Ownership is £385 lower per year at these inputs.
Break-even is about 76 jobs per year. Above that point, ownership becomes cheaper on these assumptions.
When ownership earns its keep
A machine is compelling when people need immediate iterations, have steady work to keep it busy and can absorb setup and maintenance into an existing role. The break-even number shows how much annual throughput those fixed costs need.
When a service stays simpler
Occasional parts, changing material requirements and large one-off jobs rarely need permanent equipment. A service turns the machine, spares, filament stock and failed prints into a per-job cost.
See the equipment available through 3dp6Compare the estimate with a real job
Upload a model for a guide price, then put that number back into the calculator.