How Much Does 3D Printing Cost? [2026 Price Guide]

Updated February 2026 · 12 min read

The cost of 3D printing a part depends on four things: the technology used, the material, the size of the part, and the complexity of the geometry. A simple FDM bracket might cost $5. A metal aerospace component could run $5,000+. This guide breaks down real-world pricing across every major 3D printing technology so you know what to expect before requesting a quote.

We analyzed pricing data from hundreds of service bureaus in our directory of 500+ 3D printing shops to compile these ranges. Keep in mind that prices vary by region, shop workload, and order volume — always get 2–3 quotes before committing.

FDM Printing Costs: $5–$50 Per Part

FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is the most affordable 3D printing technology and the one most local shops offer. It works by melting thermoplastic filament — PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, or Nylon — and depositing it layer by layer.

Typical FDM pricing breaks down like this:

• Small parts (under 50g) — $5–$15. Think cable clips, brackets, knobs, small enclosures.
• Medium parts (50–200g) — $15–$35. Phone cases, tool holders, medium housings.
• Large parts (200g+) — $35–$50+. Full enclosures, helmets, large fixtures.
• Material upcharge — PLA is the cheapest. PETG adds 10–20%. Nylon and carbon fiber composites add 50–100%.

Most FDM shops charge $0.10–$0.30 per gram of material, plus a setup fee of $3–$10 per part. Some shops skip the setup fee for repeat orders. If you need multi-color printing (using systems like Bambu Lab AMS), expect a 20–40% upcharge over single-color prints.

Resin Printing Costs: $20–$200 Per Part

Resin printing (SLA/DLP) produces the highest-detail parts with smooth surface finishes. It's the go-to for jewelry masters, dental models, miniatures, and visual prototypes where appearance matters.

• Small detailed parts (under 30g) — $20–$40. Miniatures, jewelry patterns, dental models.
• Medium parts (30–100g) — $40–$100. Detailed prototypes, display models, medical guides.
• Large or tough resin parts (100g+) — $100–$200+. Functional prototypes in engineering resin.
• Specialty resins — Castable, flexible, and high-temp resins cost 2–3× standard resin pricing.

Resin costs more than FDM for three reasons: the raw material is more expensive ($50–$200/liter vs $20–$40/kg for filament), the post-processing is labor-intensive (washing, curing, support removal), and print speeds are slower for large parts. However, for parts under 50mm where detail matters, resin is often worth 3–5× the cost of FDM.

SLS Printing Costs: $100–$500+ Per Part

SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) uses a laser to fuse powdered nylon into solid parts. No support structures are needed, which means complex geometries — lattices, interlocking assemblies, internal channels — print cleanly without post-processing marks.

• Small functional parts (under 50g) — $30–$80. Hinges, clips, snap-fit housings.
• Medium production parts (50–200g) — $80–$200. End-use housings, mechanical components.
• Large or complex parts (200g+) — $200–$500+. Ductwork, large assemblies, automotive parts.
• Batch pricing — SLS gets significantly cheaper per part in batches of 10+, since the powder bed can be filled with multiple parts.

SLS pricing typically runs $0.50–$1.50 per cubic centimeter of part volume, not material weight. This is because the laser sintering time and powder recycling costs scale with volume. For batches of 50–500 identical parts, SLS often beats injection molding on total cost when you factor in the $5,000–$50,000 mold tooling that injection molding requires.

Metal 3D Printing Costs: $500–$5,000+ Per Part

Metal 3D printing (DMLS, SLM, binder jetting) produces production-grade parts in stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, Inconel, and other alloys. It's used for aerospace components, medical implants, custom tooling, and parts that need to withstand extreme conditions.

• Small metal parts (under 50cm³) — $500–$1,000. Dental crowns, small brackets, custom fasteners.
• Medium parts (50–200cm³) — $1,000–$3,000. Heat exchangers, turbine components, tooling inserts.
• Large or complex parts (200cm³+) — $3,000–$5,000+. Structural aerospace parts, large custom tooling.
• Material matters — Stainless 316L is cheapest. Titanium (Ti64) runs 2–3× more. Inconel and cobalt chrome are 3–5× more.

Metal printing nearly always requires post-processing: stress relief heat treatment, support removal (often by wire EDM), and CNC machining of critical surfaces. Budget an additional 30–50% on top of the print cost for post-processing. Lead times are typically 2–4 weeks.

Price Comparison Table

What Drives the Cost Up?

Beyond material and technology, several factors can significantly increase your bill:

• Part complexity — Lots of overhangs mean more support material and more post-processing labor to remove supports and clean surfaces.
• Tight tolerances — If you need ±0.1mm instead of the standard ±0.3mm, expect a premium. The shop may need to print slower or add CNC post-processing.
• Surface finishing — Raw prints are cheapest. Sanding, vapor smoothing, painting, or dyeing adds $10–$50+ per part depending on size.
• Rush orders — Same-day or next-day turnaround typically costs 50–100% more than standard lead times.
• Design assistance — If you don't have a printable 3D file, shops charge $50–$150/hour for CAD design services.
• Quantity discounts — Work in your favor. Most shops offer 10–30% off for batches of 10+ identical parts, and even more for 100+.

How to Get the Best Price

After years of compiling directory data, here's what actually works to reduce costs:

1. Get 3+ quotes. Pricing between shops varies 2–5× for the same part. Our shop directory makes it easy to find multiple options in your area.
2. Choose the right technology. Don't use SLS when FDM will do. Check our materials guide to understand what each material can handle.
3. Optimize your design. Reduce wall thickness where possible, minimize overhangs, and hollow out solid sections. Less material = lower cost.
4. Batch your orders. Printing 10 parts at once is rarely 10× the cost of one. SLS batch pricing especially drops 30–50% at volume.
5. Be flexible on timeline. Standard turnaround is always cheaper than rush. If your deadline is 2 weeks out, you have leverage.

3D Printing vs. Traditional Manufacturing: When Is Printing Cheaper?

3D printing wins on cost for quantities under 500 units (for plastic) and under 50 units (for metal). Beyond those thresholds, injection molding and CNC machining are usually cheaper per part — but only after you've amortized the tooling cost. For a deeper dive, see our guide on 3D printing vs CNC machining.

The real cost advantage of 3D printing isn't always the per-part price — it's the zero tooling cost and the ability to iterate designs instantly. If you're still validating your product design, spending $20 on a printed prototype beats spending $10,000 on an injection mold for a design that might change.

Ready to Get a Quote?

Browse our directory of 500+ local 3D printing services to find shops near you. Filter by specialty or check material availability to narrow your options.