3D Printer Buy vs Outsource Calculator
Compare the total cost of buying a 3D printer versus using a printing service. Enter printer price, filament, electricity, and outsourcing quotes to see which option saves more for your use case.
Last updated: February 2, 2026
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Choose your goal, then enter your buy and outsource assumptions.
Total buying cost
Total outsourcing cost
Comparison
Total buying cost
$425.678
Total outsourcing cost
$265.00
Recommendation
Use an outsourcing service
Saves $160.678 vs buying
What This Calculator Covers
Example result
$400 printer, 10 models × 100 cm³ PLA, ~24 h print time, $0.12/kWh → total buy vs $25/model + shipping for outsourcing.
Total buy
$425.678
Total outsource
$265.00
How the 3D Printer Buy vs Outsource Calculator Works
The tool sums your buy-side costs (printer, filament, electricity, extras, optional slicing or design) and your outsource-side costs (price per model × quantity, shipping, optional design). It then compares the two totals and recommends the cheaper option.
Buy-side formula
Total buy = Printer + (volume × density × $/kg × models) + (power × hours × $/kWh) + accessories + slicing (if paid) + design (if needed).
Filament mass from model volume and material density; electricity from equipment power and usage hours.
Tips for accurate comparison
- Use real printer and service quotes when you can
- Include electricity and filament $/kg for your region
- Factor in setup time and maintenance only if you care about non-dollar cost
Also useful: lease vs buy and break-even calculators.
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