I am wondering how to figure out pricing. Do you figure print time? hourly rate? filament usage? of course it all comes down to what some one will pay but what would be hourly pay for a printer?
The Bambu Studio will give you decently accurate print time and filament usage with it’s respective cost.
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It is uncomputable without more context :
You have to take into account time to make modélisation if it is a specific command
time to print/verify/post processing (not printer time)
time to package
sending cost
material/printer depreciation
electrical cost
Then choose an hourly cost depending on your design and print quality for your work (for example from 250€/day to 1000€/day); it all depend where you live too
add a margin 30%
For example :
specific design : 4h
post processing : 0.5h
sending : 10€
electrical cost : 1€
plastic : 8€
material depreciation : 10€
€/h : 400
this will give you :
(4.5 * 400/8 + 10 + 1 + 8 + 10)*1.3 = 330€
Ok but completely different if you make a design that is not a specific design command and that you will sell many time, then would be more like :20-35€
It all depend what you sell
I choose 10€ for material depreciation because it will not last forever, and you will have to maintain it in good condition, changing part / cleaning it/ etc… (time spent + replacment part bought like your car)
EDIT: Just use an Excel, it will help to easily compute and adjust price
EDIT2: The goal is that at the end after months you won enough to live decently without working like a dog.
You can choose to break prices but it wont last long until your faillit,but if it is only occasional and not professional there are no rules
:
There are online calcuators you punch in your variables (just google 3D Print calcuator)
- Filamennt weight and costs
( Note here I caculate total $ per filament roll including shipping to me, as bulk purchase cann reduce this significantly) - Electrical costs \hr - unless solar?
- Pre-post processing time amt
- Your labour time $\hr
- Print time of model - this is to do with machine wear and tear as well
- Machine maintainence costs
- many other facors people dont consider.
You will be very very suprised at how much a simple print factors out to be.
- I was HORRIFIED at first with the hidden costs, but following rule of 3 - its about the same
- Rule of 3 is a good starting point - Multiple the raw cost of your materials x 3 -annd your in the ball park - doesnt always work - so I use the other calcuator.
Being competively priced can be hard initially
- if you can shave some pre-post processing, run off solar energy and all the other factors, buying filament in bulk etc, you can bring it down …
- important to not undervalue your time (or your quality) - or you will burn out - effort vs $
- find that niche model or item that you excel at - and find a way to print it effeciently.
Pricing 3D prints involves a combination of factors, including material costs, print time, labor, and desired profit margin. Material costs are determined by the type and quantity of filament used. Print time is calculated based on the print’s complexity and settings. Labor encompasses the time spent preparing the print file, setting up the printer, and post-processing the finished product.
Finally, the desired profit margin reflects the desired return on investment. Hourly pay for a 3D printer varies depending on the factors mentioned above, but a typical range is $10 to $50 per hour.
Indeed , and its hard to compute when you see people at markets, selling high quality cinderwings or such, with at least $2 of filament, 5-6hrs print, post porocessing , hand painting eyes and such … for as low as $5 … it just … doesnt compute for me.