CALCULATOR MAFIA

3D Printer Buy vs Outsource

Calculate if buying a 3D printer saves money vs outsourcing. ROI, break-even analysis, total cost comparison.

Buy 3D Printer Costs

Outsource Printing Costs

Quick Printer Presets

Entry FDM

Creality Ender 3

$250 | 0.4mm nozzle

Mid-range FDM

Prusa i3 MK3S+

$800 | Auto-leveling

Resin Printer

Elegoo Mars 3

$350 | High detail

Professional FDM

Ultimaker S5

$6,500 | Dual extrusion

Related Calculators

Frequently Asked Quentions

1. What's the average break-even point for buying a 3D printer?
Most users break even between 6-18 months. Entry-level printers with high print volume can break even in 3-4 months, while expensive professional systems with low usage might take 2-3 years. Our calculator gives you a precise estimate based on your specific situation.
2. How accurate is the electricity cost calculation?
Very accurate for most FDM printers (50-150W during printing, 5-10W standby). Resin printers use 30-80W. We use your local electricity rate and actual print time. Real-world consumption varies by printer model and print settings.
3. Should I factor in failed prints?
Yes, we recommend adding 10-20% to material costs if you're new to 3D printing. Experienced users have 2-5% failure rates. Failed prints also waste electricity and time, which our calculator accounts for in maintenance costs.
4. What hidden costs aren't included in the calculator?
We include most major costs, but you should also consider: software subscriptions ($0-50/month), replacement parts budget, ventilation/air filtration for resin printers, insurance if used commercially, and your time learning and troubleshooting.
5. Is it better to buy a cheap printer or outsource?
Cheap printers ($200-400) often have higher failure rates and require more maintenance. If you print 10+ times monthly, even a cheap printer usually beats outsourcing within a year. For occasional use (1-2 prints/month), outsourcing is better.
6. How do I estimate my monthly print volume?
Track your outsourcing orders for 2-3 months. Consider future projects too. Most people underestimate—if you think you'll print 5 times monthly, budget for 8-10. Our calculator shows how volume dramatically affects the economics.
7. What about resin vs FDM printer costs?
Resin printers have higher material costs ($40-100/L vs $20-30/kg) but often faster print times for small, detailed parts. They require more safety equipment (gloves, masks, ventilation). For miniatures and dental models, resin often wins; for functional parts, FDM is cheaper.
8. Can I make money with my 3D printer?
Yes, many users offset costs by selling prints. Our calculator shows your break-even point—after that, every print is profit (minus material/electricity). Print farms with multiple printers can generate substantial income.
9. How often do 3D printers need maintenance?
Weekly: bed leveling, nozzle cleaning Monthly: lubrication, belt tensioning Quarterly: nozzle replacement, firmware updates Annually: full calibration, major component inspection Budget $15-50 monthly depending on usage.
10. Should I buy used or new?
Used printers can save 30-50% but come with risks. We recommend new for your first printer unless you're experienced. Our calculator uses new prices—if buying used, reduce the printer cost but increase maintenance estimates by 25%.

Need a Custom Tool?

Contact our team to build a custom calculator.

What is the 3D Printer Buy vs Outsource Calculator?

The 3D Printer Buy vs Outsource Calculator is a sophisticated financial analysis tool that helps makers, hobbyists, small businesses, and educational institutions determine whether purchasing a 3D printer makes economic sense compared to outsourcing their printing needs to professional services. This comprehensive calculator analyzes multiple cost factors over a 12-month period to provide data-driven recommendations.

Key Insight: Most users break even on their 3D printer investment within 6-18 months, but this depends heavily on print volume, printer type, and material choices.

Why This Calculator Matters for Your 3D Printing Decisions

With the rapid growth of additive manufacturing, individuals and businesses face a critical decision: invest in their own 3D printing equipment or leverage the growing network of professional printing services. This calculator eliminates guesswork by quantifying:

  • Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for buying a 3D printer
  • Cumulative outsourcing costs over time
  • Return on Investment (ROI) timeline
  • Break-even point in months
  • Hidden costs often overlooked in initial calculations

How to Use the 3D Printer Cost Comparison Calculator

Follow this step-by-step guide to get accurate results from our calculator:

Step 1: Input Your “Buy” Costs

Start by entering the costs associated with purchasing and operating your own 3D printer:

  1. Printer Purchase Price: Enter the retail price of the 3D printer you’re considering. Our presets cover common models from entry-level ($200) to professional ($6,500+) systems.
  2. Material Cost per kg: Input the price of filament or resin. PLA filament averages $20-25/kg, while specialized resins can cost $40-100/kg.
  3. Electricity Cost per Hour: Based on your local electricity rates. Most FDM printers consume 50-150 watts, while resin printers use 30-80 watts during operation.
  4. Monthly Maintenance Cost: Include replacement parts (nozzles, build plates), lubricants, and occasional repairs. Budget $15-50/month depending on usage.

Step 2: Input Your “Outsource” Costs

Define your outsourcing parameters:

  • Outsourcing Cost per Print: Average what you pay for similar prints on services like Shapeways, Xometry, or local print shops.
  • Prints per Month: Be realistic about your monthly print volume. This is the most critical factor in the calculation.
  • Material per Print: Average grams of material used. Small prints (50-100g), medium (100-300g), large (300g+).
  • Print Time per Print: Average hours needed. Simple prints (2-4 hours), complex (8-24 hours), large-scale (24+ hours).

Step 3: Analyze Your Results

Our calculator provides four key outputs:

1. Financial Recommendation

Clear “Buy” or “Outsource” recommendation with specific savings amounts.

2. Cost Breakdown

Detailed comparison of all cost components for both options.

3. ROI Timeline

Visual timeline showing when buying becomes cheaper than outsourcing.

Mathematical Formulas Behind the Calculations

Our calculator uses sophisticated financial modeling to ensure accuracy. Here are the core formulas:

Total Cost of Ownership Formula

TCObuy = P + (M × W × N × 12 ÷ 1000) + (E × T × N × 12) + (C × 12)

Where:
P = Printer purchase price ($)
M = Material cost per kg ($)
W = Material weight per print (g)
N = Prints per month
E = Electricity cost per hour ($)
T = Print time per print (hours)
C = Monthly maintenance cost ($)

Total Outsourcing Cost Formula

TCOoutsource = (O + S) × N × 12

Where:
O = Outsourcing cost per print ($)
S = Shipping cost per print (estimated as 15% of O)
N = Prints per month

Break-even Point Formula

Break-even (months) = P ÷ [(TCOoutsource ÷ 12) – (TCObuy ÷ 12)]

This calculates how many months until cumulative savings from buying exceed the initial printer investment.

Real-World Calculation Example

Let’s analyze a practical scenario:

Scenario: Small Business Prototyping

Parameters:
• Considering Prusa i3 MK3S+ ($800)
• Prints 15 prototypes per month
• Average print: 150g PLA, 6 hours
• Local electricity: $0.18/kWh
• Outsourcing cost: $35 per print

Cost Category Buy Option (Year 1) Outsource Option (Year 1)
Initial Investment $800.00 $0.00
Material Costs $81.00 Included in service
Electricity $194.40 N/A
Maintenance $300.00 N/A
Printing Services N/A $6,300.00
Shipping N/A $945.00
TOTAL COST $1,375.40 $7,245.00

Result: Buying saves $5,869.60 in the first year with a break-even point of just 1.6 months!

Advanced Applications and Strategic Insights

1. Print Farm Economics

For businesses considering multiple printers, the economics shift dramatically. Our calculator can be adapted for print farm analysis:

Strategic Insight: Once you exceed 30-40 prints per month, transitioning to a small print farm (3-5 printers) often provides economies of scale that reduce per-print costs by 40-60% compared to outsourcing.

2. Technology Selection Analysis

Different 3D printing technologies have vastly different cost structures:

FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
  • Lower material costs ($20-30/kg)
  • Higher electricity consumption
  • Slower print speeds
  • Best for: Functional prototypes, large parts
SLA/DLP (Resin Printing)
  • Higher material costs ($40-100/L)
  • Lower electricity consumption
  • Faster for small, detailed parts
  • Best for: Miniatures, dental models, jewelry

3. Scalability Analysis

Our calculator helps identify inflection points where purchasing becomes advantageous:

Monthly Print Volume Recommended Action Expected ROI Timeline
1-5 prints Continue outsourcing 24+ months (not recommended)
6-15 prints Consider entry-level printer 8-14 months
16-30 prints Buy mid-range printer 4-8 months
31+ prints Invest in reliable professional system 2-5 months

Limitations and Considerations

Important Factors Not Included in Base Calculation

  1. Learning Curve Costs: Time spent learning CAD design, slicer software, and printer operation has economic value.
  2. Failed Prints: Industry averages show 10-20% failure rates for beginners, decreasing to 2-5% with experience.
  3. Space Requirements: 3D printers need dedicated space with proper ventilation, especially for resin printers.
  4. Time Value: Outsourcing frees up your time for other productive activities.
  5. Quality Differences: Professional services often provide superior surface finish and dimensional accuracy.
  6. Material Variety: Services offer hundreds of materials; owning limits you to what your printer can handle.

When Outsourcing Makes More Sense (Despite the Numbers)

Sometimes qualitative factors outweigh pure financial calculations:

  • Occasional Need: If you need prints only a few times per year
  • Specialized Materials: When you need metals, ceramics, or advanced composites
  • Extreme Precision: For medical, aerospace, or micro-scale applications
  • No Technical Interest: If you have no desire to learn 3D printing technology
  • Space Constraints: In small apartments or offices without ventilation

Best Practices for 3D Printer Ownership

Maximizing Your ROI: 7 Proven Strategies

1. Start with Realistic Expectations

Budget 20% above calculator estimates for unexpected costs. The first 3 months typically have higher failure rates and learning expenses.

2. Choose the Right Technology

Match printer type to your primary use case: FDM for large functional parts, resin for small detailed items.

3. Bulk Purchase Materials

Buy filament in 5-10kg spools to reduce cost by 15-25%. Store properly with desiccant to prevent moisture absorption.

4. Optimize Print Settings

Reduce infill density, increase layer height, and use faster speeds for non-critical parts to save 30-50% on print time and material.

5. Scheduled Maintenance

Weekly cleaning, monthly lubrication, and quarterly part replacement prevents costly failures and extends printer life.

6. Monitor Electricity Usage

Use smart plugs to track consumption. Consider printing overnight during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-based pricing.

7. Consider Resale Value

Quality printers retain 40-60% of value after 2 years. Factor this into long-term cost calculations.

8. Join Communities

Online forums and local makerspaces provide free troubleshooting, design feedback, and sometimes bulk purchase opportunities.

Future Trends in 3D Printing Economics

The Changing Cost Landscape (2024-2027)

Printer Prices

Trend: Decreasing 8-12% annually
Impact: Faster ROI for buyers
Entry-level printers approaching $150

Material Costs

Trend: Stabilizing with slight decreases
Impact: More specialty materials available
Recycled filament becoming mainstream

Outsourcing Prices

Trend: Increasing 5-8% annually
Impact: Buying becomes more attractive
Higher quality expectations

Emerging Technologies That Will Impact Your Decision

  • AI-Powered Printing: Reduced failure rates and optimized settings
  • Multi-Material Systems: Single printers handling diverse materials
  • Faster Printing Technologies: New methods cutting print times by 50-80%
  • Subscription Services: Printer-as-a-service models for businesses
  • Localized Production Hubs: Community-based printing services reducing shipping costs

Final Recommendations and Decision Framework

The 3D Printer Decision Matrix

Use this framework alongside our calculator results:

Your Situation Recommended Action Expected Outcome
Student/Hobbyist
(<5 prints/month)		 Use university/community resources or outsource Low cost, maximum flexibility
Prototyping Business
(10-20 prints/month)		 Buy 1-2 reliable mid-range printers 6-10 month ROI, control over timeline
Manufacturing Support
(30+ prints/month)		 Establish small print farm with 3-5 printers 3-6 month ROI, production capacity
Occasional Professional Use
(Variable needs)		 Hybrid approach: own basic printer + outsource specials Balanced cost and capability

Critical Questions Before Buying

  1. Do I have 5-10 hours per week for printer operation and maintenance?
  2. Am I comfortable with basic troubleshooting and technical learning?
  3. Do I have adequate space with proper ventilation and electrical capacity?
  4. Is my print volume consistent enough to justify the investment?
  5. Do I need capabilities beyond what consumer printers offer?

When to Re-evaluate Your Decision

Mark these checkpoints on your calendar:

3-Month Review

Assess actual vs. predicted:
• Print success rate
• Monthly print volume
• Time investment
• Material consumption

6-Month Review

Evaluate:
• ROI progress
• Skill development
• Maintenance costs
• Print quality improvements

Annual Review

Decide:
• Scale up (add printers)
• Upgrade technology
• Continue as-is
• Switch to outsourcing

Thanks for Reading!

We hope this comprehensive guide and calculator help you make an informed decision about 3D printer ownership versus outsourcing. Remember that the best choice depends on your specific needs, technical comfort, and financial situation.

Disclaimer

This 3D Printer Buy vs Outsource Calculator and accompanying analysis are provided for informational and educational purposes only. The calculations are estimates based on industry averages and typical usage patterns. Actual costs may vary significantly based on:

  • Specific printer model and manufacturer
  • Local electricity rates and utility structures
  • Material price fluctuations and availability
  • Individual skill level and failure rates
  • Market conditions for outsourcing services
  • Maintenance requirements of specific equipment

The break-even analysis assumes consistent print volume and does not account for technological obsolescence, changing business needs, or opportunity costs of time investment. Always conduct thorough research, consider multiple quotes from suppliers and service providers, and consult with financial advisors before making significant equipment investments.

Calculator Mafia and its creators are not responsible for decisions made based on this calculator’s output. Use this tool as one input among many in your decision-making process. 3D printing involves electrical equipment and potentially hazardous materials—always follow manufacturer safety guidelines and local regulations.

Results are based on mathematical models and should be verified with real-world data from your specific situation. The “recommendations” provided are suggestions based on the inputs you provide and should not be considered professional financial advice.

Scroll to Top