3D printing calculator

How the 3D printing calculator works

  1. 1Upload fileSTL, 3MF or STEP
  2. 2Select material & quantityQuality on demand
  3. 3See price instantlyorder directly and bindingly

How much does 3D printing cost?

In short: A single 3D-printed part starts at around €40 with Mach-3D. Component volume, material, process and quantity determine the exact price – that is precisely what the calculator above is for: Upload file, choose material, see guide price instantly. Tiered prices for small batches are included. The team responds to enquiries within 1–2 working days.

The 6 price factors in 3D printing

1. Component volume & sizeMaterial volume and print time are the biggest cost drivers. Large components up to 900 × 900 × 1000 mm are produced in one piece – without gluing.
2. MaterialPLA and PETG are the economic base. Engineering plastics such as ABS, ASA, PP or PA cost more, but provide temperature and impact resistance.
3. ProcedureFDM is the benchmark for price. SLA delivers the finest details with tolerances down to ±0.05 mm, whilst SLS prints durable parts without support structures.
4. Infill & wall thicknessSolid material is rarely necessary. A clever infill structure saves material and money – while maintaining the same function.
5. Post-processingSanding, dyeing, threaded inserts: every step costs time. Only book what your component really needs.
6. QuantityTiered pricing significantly reduces the unit price. The calculator displays the tiers directly upon upload.

3D printing costs by process

ProcedurePrice levelStrengthTypical application
FDM£Rugged and large-format – up to 900 × 900 × 1000 mm in a single piecefunctional parts, fixtures, large-scale components
Service Level Agreement€€Finest details, tolerances down to ±0.05 mmVisible parts, fitting samples, precision engineering
SLS€€Without support structures, uniformly load-bearingsmall batches, moving assemblies

The guide explains which process is right for your component Comparison of FDM, SLA and SLS.

How to lower your 3D printing costs

  • Reduce volume: Hollow spaces and optimised wall thicknesses instead of solid material – material consumption is the key factor.
  • Select standard material: PLA or PETG are sufficient for many applications and cost significantly less than specialist plastics.
  • Tolerances only where necessary: Tight tolerances mean SLA or rework. For most functional parts, the standard tolerance is sufficient.
  • Bundle quantities: Several items in one order activate tiered pricing – the unit price falls.
  • Deliver clean data: STEP or 3MF without errors means no queries and faster manufacturing.

At what point does 3D printing become worthwhile compared to CNC or injection moulding?

3D printing involves no tooling costs and is therefore economical from a batch size of 1. CNC milling or injection moulding only become worthwhile for larger series – the crossover point is usually between 100 and 300 components. You can find the detailed decision-making aid in the guide CNC vs 3D printing; for series production from a quantity of 1, click here 3D printing contract manufacturing.

Frequently asked questions about price and manufacturing

How much does 3D printing cost at Mach-3D?

Individual parts start at around €40. The exact price depends on component volume, material, process and quantity – a small PLA part in FDM printing will be significantly less than a large PA-CF part. The calculator will show you the specific price for your component directly after uploading your STEP, 3MF or STL file, without registration.

STEP or 3MF is ideal. STL works if the resolution is suitable. Alternatively, a technical drawing with dimensions will suffice – Mach-3D checks every file for printability free of charge.

Mach-3D manufactures using FDM, SLA, and SLS. Available materials include PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, PP, TPU, and PC, as well as PA12 and PA6. For high-performance applications, PA-CF and PPS are also available. The most suitable material depends on temperature, load, and environment. If you're unsure, we recommend a specific material rather than a list.

In the SLA process, Mach-3D achieves ±0.05 mm. In FDM printing, the tolerance varies between ±0.15 mm and ±0.8 mm depending on the component size. For very tight standard tolerances or classic geometries, machining is often the better choice – we check every file in advance and will honestly tell you if your component can be produced with 3D printing.

Upon your request, Mach-3D will respond within 1-2 working days with a quote or queries. Manufacturing itself typically takes 1-5 days, depending on the process, component size, and workload. Large-format parts on the SAM printer take longer. You specify your desired date directly in the calculator – we will confirm it with the quote.

Mach-3D will respond within 1-2 working days with a quote or to ask further questions. We will clarify critical points such as material, tolerances, and quantity beforehand – ensuring the quote is immediately reliable.

Yes. With its in-house large-format 3D printer SAM, Mach-3D in Altenholz near Kiel manufactures components up to 900 x 900 x 1000 mm in one piece. A pilot part is often the best way to start.

The breakeven point usually lies between 100 and 300 components. Tool costs are critical: a simple injection mould tool costs from around €5,000, while complex tools cost €30,000 to €50,000 – this then shifts the breakeven to 700 to 1,500 units. With frequent changes, spare parts or complex geometries, 3D printing remains economically viable even beyond this, as no tool adjustment is necessary.

Send us a photo plus main dimensions. Depending on the component, Mach-3D will digitise the part using a 3D scan and reverse engineering to create a CAD model – we'll honestly tell you if it's worthwhile.

Yes. Uploaded files are processed by Mach-3D exclusively for quotation and manufacturing purposes; they are not shared with third parties. If you wish, we can conclude a non-disclosure agreement before uploading – please contact us briefly by phone or email. This is standard practice in mechanical engineering and not a special case for us.

Contact – 3D Printing Service in Kiel & Altenholz

Sometimes the quickest way is a brief chat.

+49 (0) 431 88 88 99 09

You explain the use case, we’ll tell you if 3D printing is worthwhile and which process.

Lennart, contact person at Mach-3D Fabrication

Lennart Lehmann

Production Manager

Responsible for the management and optimisation of additive manufacturing at Mach-3D. Focus on SLS and FDM printing.

Erik, contact person at Mach-3D Fabrication

Erik Dieckmann

Managing Director

Mechanical engineer with a focus on large-scale FDM, SLS technology and industrial manufacturing processes.