If you'll print something most weeks and you like tinkering, buy a printer. If you need a few parts a year, need them right the first time, or don't have a 3D file, use a service. That's our take, even though we run a print shop.
What owning a printer really costs
- The printer. A good starter machine costs a few hundred dollars. Faster multi-color machines cost more.
- Filament. Roughly $15 to $30 per kilogram for common plastics. Most small parts use under 100 grams.
- Your time. Learning a slicer, leveling, tuning settings for each material, and failed prints. This is the cost people underestimate.
- Design skills. A printer only helps if you have a file. Modeling a replacement part in CAD takes practice.
- Space and upkeep. Nozzles, build plates, dry storage for filament, and some ventilation.
Buy a printer if
- You'll use it often, for a hobby, a business or lots of small projects.
- You enjoy the process, not just the result.
- You already design in CAD or want to learn.
Use a service if
- You need one part, or a few parts a year.
- You don't have a file and need someone to model it.
- You need a tougher material like ASA, TPU or nylon that's harder to print at home.
- You need resin detail, SLS nylon or CNC metal parts that home printers can't make.
- You need it right the first time, with a deadline.
The math on one part
A palm-sized PLA part is $11.01 from us and ships the next business day. If you only need a handful of parts like that a year, a service costs far less than a printer. If you need dozens a month, owning a printer pays off quickly.
The middle path
Plenty of people own a printer for everyday prints and use a service for the hard jobs: big parts, engineering plastics, resin detail or batches. Upload a file to see what it would cost from us.
Related: how much 3D printing costs · printing from a picture