Price the batch with room to work.
Allow for unsuccessful prints, charge setup once and apply a target gross margin. Keep the assumptions beside the price.
Use this currency for every price. Switching currency only changes the label; no exchange rates are applied.
Inputs
- Material used per attempt
- 80 g
- Usable filament per full spool
- 1000 g
- Price per full spool
- 25 USD
- Print time per attempt
- 4 h
- Average printer power
- 120 W
- Electricity price
- 0.20 USD / kWh
- Machine allowance
- 0.50 USD / h
- Labor rate
- 20 USD / h
- Finishing per successful part
- 6 min
- Good parts required
- 10 parts
- Preparation for the whole batch
- 30 min
- Failed attempts
- 20 %
- Target gross margin
- 40 %
The math is part of the tool.
Expected attempts = good parts ÷ (1 − failure rate). Cost = attempts × attempt cost + successful-part finishing + batch setup. Price = cost ÷ (1 − margin).
10 good parts at a 20% failure rate means 12.5 expected attempts. With 80 g at 25/1,000 g, 4 h at 120 W, power at 0.20/kWh, machine allowance 0.50/h, 6 min finishing per good part and 30 min setup at 20/h: batch cost is 81.20. A 40% gross margin gives 135.33 per batch, or 13.53 per part before rounding adjustments.
- Enter material, time, power and machine costs for one complete print attempt.
- Set the required number of good parts and add one batch setup plus finishing per good part.
- Choose a failure probability and target gross margin; review and export the quote.
Why is expected attempts not a whole number?
Quantity ÷ (1 − failure probability) is a statistical average if attempts fail independently at the same rate. 10 good parts at 20% failure gives 12.5 attempts on average, not a promise that one batch needs exactly that many.
Do failures consume a full print?
This model charges a full attempt's filament, energy and machine time for each expected failed attempt. It is conservative for early failures. Preparation is charged once and finishing only on good parts; add extra rework labor to setup if needed.
How is margin different from markup?
At cost 60, a 40% gross margin gives price 60 ÷ 0.60 = 100. A 40% markup gives 84 and only a 28.57% margin. This tool uses gross margin.
Why can the rounded unit price differ from the batch total?
Calculations retain precision and displays round to two decimals. Before issuing an invoice, choose your final unit price and reconcile its total, taxes and other charges.
Three tools. One honest estimate.
Start with one part, check your spool, then price a batch.
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Estimate a 3D printing batch quote with failed attempts, setup and finishing labor, production cost and target gross margin.
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