Filament is only the start
Cost per gram helps with material but does not cover labor or printer use.
Price per gram
Price per gram in 3D printing: useful as reference, dangerous as a rule
Charging only per gram seems simple but leaves out machine hours, energy, setup, finishing, and failures. Use weight as one part of the formula, not the whole thing.
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Long runtime changes everything
Light, slow parts can have higher operating cost than material cost.
Use a full formula
Add material, energy, machine, labor, failures, and margin to reach selling price.
Calc3D method
Use full true cost before you charge
The recommended formula adds material, energy, machine wear, labor, packaging, failures, and target profit. So the quote does not depend only on weight in grams.
Read the full methodology1. MaterialPart weight and true filament cost.
2. ProductionPrint time, energy, and machine wear.
3. LaborSetup, finishing, packaging, and support.
4. ProtectionFailures, rework, and profit margin.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate filament cost per gram?
Divide spool price by 1,000 for cost per gram. Multiply by weight used in the part.
Can I charge for 3D printing per gram?
As a reference yes, but not as the only rule. It ignores time, energy, machine, finishing, and failure risk.
What else goes beyond per-gram?
Machine time, electricity, depreciation, setup, post-processing, packaging, waste, and profit margin.
Next step
