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How much does custom 3D printing cost? Material, time, finishing and setup
Short answer: a custom 3D print is priced from material used, machine time, a setup charge per job (slicing, preparing the printer, removing supports), and finishing (sanding, priming, painting). If you don't have a printable file, modelling is a separate cost, often the largest one. Small parts can carry a minimum charge because setup costs the same whatever the size. Get an exact price by sending the same file or brief to several makers.
We don't publish price ranges because prices vary by country, material and machine, and we haven't found a sourced dataset that holds across them. The Fabrication Cost Estimator lets you test how size and material change the numbers for your own part.
What goes into a 3D printing quote?
| Line | What it covers | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Filament or resin used, including supports | Part volume, infill, material type |
| Machine time | Hours the printer is busy | Size, layer height, number of parts |
| Setup | Slicing, orientation, bed prep, removing supports | Fixed per job; bigger share on small parts |
| Finishing | Sanding, filling, priming, painting, inserts | Surface quality you need |
| Modelling | Turning a photo, sketch or broken part into a 3D file | Complexity; needed only without a file |
| Shipping | Packing and postage | Size, weight, destination |
Why does a tiny part still cost something?
Setup time is roughly the same for a 2 cm clip as for a 20 cm bracket: someone has to check the file, slice it, start the job and clean up. That's why many makers have a minimum order, and why printing several parts in one job is better value than ordering them one at a time.
Which material should I ask for?
The material changes price, strength and how the part copes with heat and sun. PLA is the common, low-cost option, but Prusa notes it "gets soft and deforms at temperatures over 60 °C" and is "not suitable for technical and outdoor use" (Prusa). For heat, sun or load, ask about PETG, ASA, nylon or another engineering material. The 3D Printing Material Selector suggests options by use. Resin printing gives very smooth detail for small parts such as miniatures and jewellery masters. Formlabs says SLA has the best surface finish of the common technologies (Formlabs).
If you're unsure, describe where the part will be used and let the maker choose.
Is 3D printing cheaper than CNC for one part?
Often, for plastic parts in small numbers. Hubs says additive manufacturing "is typically more affordable than CNC for quantities under 10 units", and has minimal setup and no tooling (Hubs). CNC wins when you need metal, tight tolerances or a machined finish. See what CNC machining costs.
What if I don't have a 3D file?
You can still get a quote. Send photos with a ruler or calliper in shot, key dimensions and what the part does. A maker either models it or, for a broken part, measures the original. Modelling is priced separately because it's skilled design time. If you have a file, run it through the STL Checker first.
How do I get comparable quotes?
Send the same brief to every maker:
- File (STL, 3MF or STEP), or photos and dimensions
- Material, or the conditions the part faces (heat, outdoors, load, food or skin contact)
- Quantity
- Finish: raw, sanded, primed or painted
- Tolerances that matter, such as holes, fits and threads
- Deadline and delivery country
On The Spool List 3D printing market you post free, makers with verified printers quote, and you choose. You pay the quote with no buyer fee, and the payment is protected until you confirm delivery.
Sources
- Prusa Knowledge Base: PLA (checked 27 October 2026)
- Hubs: 3D printing vs CNC machining (checked 27 October 2026)
- Formlabs: FDM vs SLA (checked 27 October 2026)
FAQ
How is 3D printing priced? By material used, machine time, a setup charge per job and any finishing. Modelling is extra if you don't have a file.
Why is there a minimum charge? Setup takes about the same time for any part, so small orders carry a minimum. Combining parts into one job helps.
Can I get a 3D print without an STL file? Yes. Send photos with a scale reference and key dimensions; the maker models it as part of the quote.
Is PLA strong enough? For many indoor parts, yes. Prusa says PLA softens above 60 °C and isn't suited to outdoor use, so ask for another material for heat or sun.
Post it free and let makers bid. Your payment is protected until you confirm delivery.