A Cost Record for a 3D Print Job

Measure the job before pricing it

Record the material grams from a representative slice and the usable spool grams. A 30-unit spool price for 1,000 grams means 0.03 per gram; 250 grams therefore cost 7.50 before waste. A 10% material allowance raises that modeled component to 8.25. It does not estimate the probability or complete cost of a failed job.

Keep hourly charges separate

Store print hours, machine cost per hour and electricity consumption as separate lines. A 100-watt printer running for five hours uses 0.5 kWh. At 0.20 per kWh, energy costs 0.10. If the machine-hour rate already includes electricity, omit the separate charge to avoid double counting. Setup and finishing labour need their own hours and rate.

Price the selling deductions correctly

Percentage selling fees apply to the sale price when the contract defines them that way. For a total cost of 20, a 10% selling fee and 30% target margin, price is 20 divided by 0.60, or 33.33 before rounding. Multiplying cost by 1.30 does not achieve the same selling-price margin.

Retain the production assumptions

Keep orientation, material, finishing, packaging and dispatch requirements with the estimate. A cost calculation does not establish strength, tolerances or regulatory suitability. Compare a completed job with the estimate before using the same hourly rate or failure allowance for future orders. Save actual cost and quoted price as separate records.

Review record

Continue the decision

3D Print Cost Calculator: What a Real Cost Model Should Include · Record the Convention Behind a Conversion.