Calculating 3D Printing Product Costs in the UK

Calculating 3D Printing Product Costs in the UK. If you’re selling 3D printed products in the UK, understanding how to calculate your true costs is essential for pricing correctly and ensuring your business is sustainable. At Harle.tech, we believe transparent, realistic costings are the foundation of profitable, stress-free sales.

Here’s a breakdown to help you confidently price your 3D printed and laser-engraved products.

1️⃣ Materials and Consumables

• Filament/Resin Costs: Track the cost per gram or millilitre and estimate based on your slicer data.
• Supports and Failures: Add a buffer (typically 5-10%) for material lost to supports and occasional failed prints.
• Consumables: Include items like glue sticks, IPA, paper towels, and cleaning alcohol, as these small costs add up over time.

2️⃣ Machine Time and Electricity

• Electricity: Use your printer’s wattage to estimate electricity usage. For example, a 150W printer running for 10 hours uses 1.5 kWh. At £0.30 per kWh, this would cost £0.45 per print.
• Machine Wear: Factor in nozzle, bed sheet, and part replacement over time. For example, you may allocate £0.20-£0.50 per print depending on your printer usage and replacement cycle.

3️⃣ Labour and Post-Processing

Even if you are a solo maker, your time is valuable. Consider:

• Time spent prepping files and machines
• The current minimum wage or living wage
• Monitoring prints
• Post-processing (sanding, painting, assembly)
• Packaging time

A practical starting labour rate is £12-£15 per hour, adjusting based on your skill and business needs.

4️⃣ Packaging and Shipping

Include:

• Boxes, tape, bubble wrap
• Branded inserts or thank-you cards
• Labels and postage fees (weigh your items accurately)

Even if the customer pays shipping, you should still account for your packaging material costs.

5️⃣ Platform and Transaction Fees

Selling on Etsy, eBay, or your own website incurs:

• Platform fees (Etsy: ~6.5% + £0.20 listing fee)
• Payment processor fees (PayPal/Stripe: ~2.9% + £0.30)
• Possible advertising fees

Include these in your pricing to avoid eroding your profit.

What Profit Margin Should You Use?

A good rule of thumb for makers in the UK is:

✅ Minimum: 30% profit margin (for volume-selling items)
✅ Ideal: 40-60% profit margin (to reinvest in your business and cover slow sales periods)

For example, if your total cost (materials, labour, packaging, fees) is £10, you should price the product at £14-£16 minimum. This margin allows you to handle fluctuations in filament prices, seasonal slowdowns, or increased electricity costs without running at a loss.

Final Thoughts

Calculating accurate costings for your 3D printed products in the UK helps you price sustainably, avoiding burnout while ensuring your hobby or side business can grow. It’s tempting to underprice to “compete,” but undervaluing your work often hurts your long-term success.

At Harle.tech, we’re passionate about helping UK makers build thriving 3D printing businesses. If you want a free printable cost calculator or a tailored pricing analysis for your shop, get in touch, and we’ll be happy to assist.