How much to charge for 3D prints
Charge enough to cover what the print costs you, the fees of where you sell, tax and shipping, plus the profit you want. Enter your costs, pick where you sell and set a target profit or margin: the calculator finds the lowest price that reaches it.
How to use it
- Work out what the item costs to make with the print cost calculator, and enter it with your packaging and shipping costs.
- Pick where you sell, so the right fees are taken off.
- Choose a target: a profit per sale in money, or a margin as a share of what the buyer pays.
- Read the price, and round it up to a price that looks right in your shop.
The formula
Profit = price + shipping charged − tax − fees − your costs
Fees depend on the price, so the price is found step by step until the profit (or margin) is exactly the target
Margin = profit ÷ what the buyer pays
A margin target can be out of reach: when fees and tax take 15% of every sale, no price leaves you 90%. The calculator says so instead of showing a price.
Marketplace fees with a fixed part or a minimum weigh more on cheap items, which is why low prices often leave little.
Worked example
An item costs $4.00 to make, $0.50 to pack and $4.50 to ship; the buyer pays $5.00 shipping. It sells on Etsy in the US, and you want to keep 30% of what the buyer pays.
| Price | $10.62 |
|---|---|
| Buyer pays | $15.62 |
| Etsy fees | $1.93 |
| Your costs | $9.00 |
| You keep | $4.69 |
| Margin | 30.0% |
Charge at least $10.62 plus $5.00 shipping to keep 30%.
Common mistakes
- Pricing from the filament alone. Electricity, printer wear, your time and failed prints belong in the cost too.
- Adding a margin on top of the cost and forgetting that fees come off the higher price as well.
- Using a profit target for cheap items and a margin for expensive ones without noticing the difference: a margin grows with the price, a profit target doesn't.
Questions
How much should I charge for a 3D print?
At least the cost to make it, packaging, shipping and the fees of where you sell, plus a profit you are happy with. Many sellers aim for a margin of 30% to 50% of what the buyer pays; small items often need more because fixed fees weigh more.
Should I aim for a profit or a margin?
A profit per sale is easier to think about for one item. A margin scales: it asks the same share of every sale, so expensive items earn more in money. Try both and see which price feels right.
Why does the calculator say no price reaches my target?
Because fees and tax take a share of every sale. If that share plus your margin is 100% or more, even a very high price cannot leave the margin you asked for. Lower the target.
Is my pricing sent anywhere?
No. The calculator runs in your browser, and your numbers are not sent to us or put in a link.