Pricing guide · 5 July 2026
How much does it cost to 3D print a part?
Short answer: from €20 + VAT. Most small and medium parts stay at that minimum, and a large engineering part goes up to a few tens of euros. The exact answer for your part takes seconds: upload the STL to the quote tool and see the estimated price instantly, no sign-up required.
What makes up the price of a 3D print
Our quote tool does not take the price from a flat rate: it is calibrated with real prints and reproduces the cost structure of a workshop. Four components:
1. The material
Each material has its own cost: PLA is the most economical; nylon or carbon-fibre composites cost several times more. You only pay for the material actually deposited during the print, which we calculate from the geometry of your file — not from the size of the box that encloses it.
2. Machine time
Every hour of printing carries a depreciation and energy cost. A large part can occupy a printer for a whole day: that time is part of the price, although it is a minor component compared with material and handling.
3. Preparation and handling
Reviewing your file, slicing it, starting and supervising the print, removing supports and packing is fixed work that exists in every order, whether the part is big or small. It is the reason for the €20 minimum order.
4. The margin
As in any workshop. It is higher for technical materials, which demand more tuning, more waste and more experience than a standard PLA.
Three examples with real parts
Real parts printed in our workshop (the same ones we calibrated the quote tool with), in PLA and with the standard settings: 15% infill, 2 perimeters, 0.2 mm layer.
| Part | Material | Print time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scale-model bracket (small part, ~13 cm³) | PLA | ~30 min | €20 + VAT(minimum order) |
| Scale car body part (~300 cm³) | PLA | ~4 h 40 min | €20 + VAT(minimum order) |
| Automotive intake manifold (~750 cm³, 27 cm tall) | PLA | ~23 h | €47.38 + VAT |
Look at the first two: a 30-minute part and one of almost 5 hours cost the same, because the fixed preparation work counts for more than the difference in material. The €20 + VAT minimum covers parts up to medium size.
What makes a part more expensive
- —Size: more volume means more material and more machine hours.
- —Height: every layer adds time, so a tall part takes longer than a short one of the same volume.
- —Material: nylon, polycarbonate or carbon fibre make a part more expensive than PLA or PETG.
- —Settings: more infill or more perimeters than the standard (15%, 2 perimeters, 0.2 mm layer) increase material and time.
- —Units: the total is the unit price multiplied by the number of units.
The right material depends on what the part is for: the 3D printing materials comparison covers the 13 we quote online, from PLA to carbon fibre, with their typical use.
And compared with the market?
The industry reference published by 3dprinting.com places FDM printing between $0.05 and $0.15 per gram of material, plus a preparation cost of $3–10 per order. Our pricing works with the same logic — variable cost plus preparation — and on large parts it sits at the low end of that range. The difference is that here you do not have to estimate anything: you upload the file and see your price, with preparation already included.
Frequently asked questions about prices
Why is there a €20 minimum order?
Because every order involves fixed work that does not depend on the size of the part: reviewing the file, slicing, starting and supervising the print, removing supports and packing. That is why a small part and a medium one can cost the same: up to a certain size, the €20 + VAT minimum covers everything.
Is the online quote final?
It is an estimated price, calculated with a model calibrated with real prints. We confirm the final price within 24 h, with no obligation: only then will you receive a payment link if you want to go ahead.
Which is the cheapest material for 3D printing?
PLA. PETG, ABS and ASA cost somewhat more, and technical materials (nylon, polycarbonate) and carbon-fibre composites raise the price the most on large parts. On small parts you barely notice it: almost all of them stay at the €20 + VAT minimum whatever the material.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is not included in the price of the part. We ship via Correos to Spain, Portugal and France, at the rate set by Correos, and the part ships within 72 h of payment.
Stop estimating: measure
Upload your STL and see the estimated price of your part in seconds. We confirm the final price within 24 h, with no obligation, and ship within 72 h of payment.