What a 3D print costs in 2026
Rough ranges before shipping. Volume, material and deadline move the price more than anything else.
By material (USD)
| Material | USD per cm³ | Minimum per part | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | $0.18–0.40 | $4–8 | 2–5 days |
| PETG | $0.20–0.45 | $4–9 | 2–5 days |
| ABS / ASA | $0.22–0.50 | $5–10 | 3–6 days |
| Nylon / carbon fiber (FDM) | $0.50–1.10 | $8–16 | 4–8 days |
| Standard resin (SLA/MSLA) | $0.45–1.00 | $7–14 | 2–5 days |
| SLS nylon (PA12) | $0.90–2.00 | $15–30 | 5–10 days |
Rough estimates, not quotes. Before shipping and special post-processing.
Example parts (USD)
| Part | Material | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone stand, 40 cm³ | PLA | $8–18 | 2–3 days |
| Functional bracket, 30 cm³ | PETG | $8–16 | 2–3 days |
| Electronics enclosure, 120 cm³ | PETG | $26–55 | 3–5 days |
| 28 mm miniatures ×10, 4 cm³ each | Standard resin | $30–60 | 3–5 days |
| Prototype housing, 250 cm³ | SLS nylon | $220–480 | 5–8 days |
| Batch of 20 spare parts, 15 cm³ each | PLA | $42–95 | 5–8 days |
Rough estimates, not quotes. Before shipping. Sanding and painting are quoted separately.
Real work from makers on The Spool List
Photos from real Forge listings and maker portfolios on The Spool List — not stock images.
What moves the price
- Volume — You pay for the material the part uses and for printer time. A hollow or low-infill part costs quite a bit less than a solid one.
- Material — PLA and PETG are the cheapest. Nylon, carbon fiber and SLS can run two to five times more per cm³.
- Infill and walls — A functional part with thicker walls and more infill takes more load, but burns more material and hours. Say whether it needs to bear stress.
- Post-processing — Sanding, priming and painting add labor hours. A raw print and a display-ready piece are two very different prices.
- Quantity — Discounts usually kick in at 5 parts, and from 10 the per-part price drops noticeably because setup is spread across the batch.
- Deadline — Delivery in 48–72 hours means jumping the printer queue. Expect a surcharge of around 50%.
- Location — Shipping within your own country is cheap for small parts. For batches, a maker in another country can undercut local pricing even after freight — the bid states who handles the paperwork.
What to include in your post (copy and paste this)
- STL or STEP file of the part.
- Model units: millimeters unless you say otherwise.
- Number of parts, and whether you'll reorder.
- Preferred material, or what the part will be used for.
- Critical tolerances (for example, a hole that must fit to ±0.2 mm).
- Finish: raw, sanded or painted.
- The date you need it in hand.
- Ship-to country and postcode, or city.
- Anything the maker shouldn't see or share (NDA, confidential design).