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We all know that 3D printing is the future of manufacturing. But how much does 3d printing service cost?
The answer depends on your specific needs because there are so many factors that affects the cost of 3D printing service.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the average cost of 3D printing services and what factors influence the price. We’ll also discuss why professional-grade 3D printers are worth the investment for businesses.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of how much you can expect to pay for 3D printing services and why they’re so valuable for modern businesses.
Read More About:
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How Much Does 3D Printing Service Cost Per Hour?
The cost of 3D printing per hour depends on the service you use and the type of 3D printer you have. However, in general, 3D printing services charge by the size of the object being printed rather than by the amount of time it takes to print.
If you’re using your own 3D printer, the price of the 3D printing service will depend on the price of the printer, as well as how often it is used.
A 3D printer that is used for 6 hrs/day, 365 days a year will cost about $0.54 per hour to operate.

Factors That Affect The Price of 3D Printing Service
The 3D printing procedure is not as simple as you think. There are a variety of factors that go into the cost of 3D printing, including the model size, complexity of the model, printer operation, and post processing.
However, with the right preparation and planning, 3D printing can be an affordable way to create complex parts and models.
1. Material Costs
The material cost is one of the main factors that affect the price of a 3D printing service. The 3D printing service provider will likely have a variety of 3D printers with different technologies.
The most commonly used technology is FDM printing, which uses filaments as the material. Other technologies include SLA printing, which uses filaments as the material.
Resin is more expensive than filament, so 3D printers that use resin tend to be more expensive. However, 3D printers that use filament are limited in terms of the types of materials they can use.
2. The Volume of 3D Model
The size of the 3D model is one of the main factors that affect the cost of 3D printing. Larger 3D models require more material and take longer to print, so they tend to be more expensive.
3D printing services typically charge by the size of the object being printed rather than by the amount of time it takes to print.
3D printing service providers often have a minimum size requirement for 3D prints, so be sure to check this before submitting your file for printing.
3. Model Complexity
The complexity of a 3D model can also affect the price of 3D printing. A model that is highly intricate or has a lot of details will cost more to print than a model that is simpler.
This is because complex designs require more time and filament to print correctly.
4. Printer Operation
Operating a 3D printer costs money, plain and simple. Printers require regular maintenance and occasional repairs in order to continue running, and the people operating them need to be adequately trained in order to do so safely and effectively.
All of these costs factor into the price of 3D printing services.
In addition, 3D printers use a lot of resources- both electricity and plastic filament. The more a printer is used, the more it will cost to operate.
So while 3D printing may seem like a cheaper option than traditional manufacturing methods. It’s important to remember that the cost of running a 3D printer should not be underestimated.
5. Post Processing
Post processing is an important step that is often overlooked. It can make or break the quality of your 3D printed object.
The time and effort you put into it will reflect on the price you pay for a 3D printing service. For 3D printing filaments, post processing usually involves removing supports from the print.
This can be a very time-consuming process, especially if the supports are difficult to remove. You may need to use special tools or sandpaper to get the job done properly.
Resin 3D prints usually require UV curing before they can be polished. You can do this by hand or use a sandblaster to get a smooth finish.
6. Other Factors
There are other factors that will affect the price of 3D printing services. Some of these factors include the following:
Labour Costs: The cost of labor affects the overall price of 3D printing services. Someone needs to be available to operate and monitor the 3D printer, and this work is often manual labor.
Electricity costs: 3D printers consume a lot of electricity, and this cost is often factored into the hourly price.
Additional Profit Margin: Most 3D printing services operate at a profit, and many will add an additional percentage to the final quote.
These are just a few of the factors that can affect the price of 3D printing services. Every company has its own way of calculating 3D printing cost.
How To Get The Exact 3D Printing Cost of Your Project?
To get the exact 3D printing cost of your project, you will first need to figure out the dimensions of your object. Once you have that information, you can then use an online 3D printing service to generate a quote.
Some 3D printing services, such as Sculpteo, offer an instant quote feature that will give you a breakdown of the cost of your project.
Just upload your 3D model file to the website and select the technology, material, and finishing you need. The quote will then be auto generated and will include the cost of your 3D print.
How To Reduce Costs Without Losing Print Quality?
3D printing has become an increasingly popular way to produce 3D models. The 3D printer creates the 3D objects you design on your computer screen, layer by layer.
But 3D printers are expensive and require a lot of maintenance. What’s the best way to reduce 3d printing costs?
You can look for online 3d printing service such as Sculpteo which will help you reduce your manufacturing costs without any of the hassle or expense required for owning a 3d printer yourself.
However, even at this stage of the process, there might be some tips that will help reduce the cost of your 3D prints.
1. Choose the best 3D printing materials
3D printing filament can be costly, so it’s important to choose the right material for your needs. Not only will this help to improve the quality of the print, but it can also help to reduce 3D printing costs.
You don’t want to waste money on materials that won’t produce the results you need. Some of the most popular 3D printing materials include ABS filament, PLA filament, and Nylon.
However, there are a huge variety of materials available, each with their own unique properties. It’s important to consider what you need from your 3D print before selecting a filament.
If you need a strong and durable 3D print, then you should choose a filament like PETG. It’s a hard-wearing plastic that is perfect for prints that will be put under stress.
If you need a flexible 3D print, then TPU filament is a good choice. It’s a thermoplastic polyurethane that is stretchy and durable.
2. Choosing the right process
When it comes to 3D printing, cost is always a factor to be considered. There are a number of different technologies available, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
3D printing services are often expensive, so it’s important to choose the right technology to reduce costs. The most affordable 3D printing process is FDM, or fused deposition modeling.
This technology uses thermoplastic filaments that are heated until they are melted and then deposited in layers.
The quality of the prints is not as good as more expensive processes like SLS or Carbon DLS, but it’s perfect for prototyping or creating visual models. If you need a high-quality print, you should consider using a more expensive process like SLS, Carbon DLS or MJF.
SLS, selective laser sintering, uses a fine layer of powdered material that is selectively fused by a CO2 laser beam to create 3D prints with very high resolution.
Carbon 3D’s CLIP 3D printing technology is one of the most advanced 3D printing technologies available today. It creates 3D prints with stunningly smooth surfaces by using photochemical treatments at speeds 200 times faster than other 3D printing technology.
3. Optimize your model
In order to reduce 3D printing costs, it is important to optimize your model before printing. This can be done by adjusting the orientation of the object and minimizing the use of supports.
If you can avoid using supports altogether, that will save you time and money in post-processing. Reducing the size of the object can also help to save on filament costs.
4. Hollowing your 3D model
One way to reduce 3D printing costs is by hollowing your 3D model. This can be done by placing two holes on your design and removing all the powder that is inside the model. By doing this, you will use less powder, and your parts will be cheaper.
5. Batch Control
Batch control is a technique that can be used to reduce the cost of 3D printing. This involves organizing the parts to be printed so that multiple models can be printed simultaneously.
This reduces the amount of time it takes to print the parts, and thus reduces the cost per part. This method is especially useful for low volume manufacturing, as it eliminates the need for molds.
3D printing in batches also allows us to use the full potential of the 3D printer, as more parts can be printed at once.
Should You Buy a 3D Printer or Hire a 3D Printing Service?
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to buy or hire a 3D printing service. If you are a hobbyist, an FDM or MSLA printer can be a fun and satisfying investment for a couple of hundred dollars/euros.
If you are a professional, you need to invest in a 3D printer that can handle multiple materials and has low defect rates. The cost of 3D printing services varies depending on the type of service you need, so it is important to do your research before making a decision.
If you decide to buy a 3D printer, you will need to invest in a quality 3D printer that has the features you need. You will also need to learn how to use the 3D printer, which can take some time.
However, once you have learned how to use the 3D printer, you will be able to print whatever you want, whenever you want. If you decide to hire a 3D printing service, you will need to find a 3D printing service that is able to 3D print your design.
You will be limited by the 3D printers that the 3D printing service has access to, so you may need to wait for your 3D printed part. However, 3D printing services are more affordable than 3D printers and they offer higher quality 3D prints than some 3D printers.
Conclusion
3D printing is becoming more popular each day, with people using it for a variety of reasons. Whether you need a 3D print for personal use or for business purposes, the cost can be a bit daunting.
In this article, we’ve outlined the different factors that play into how much 3D printing costs so you have a better understanding.
We also provided some tips on how to get the best deals possible on 3D prints without sacrificing quality. Keep these things in mind and feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions!