About 3D printing
What does it cost to 3D print one part or a batch?
A PLA part with 50 g of estimated material usage comes to $8 in the Only3D calculator. Three examples show how the minimum charge, a batch of ten and a sanded finish affect the total.
Author: Only3D Print editorial team
Published:
These examples use Only3D’s PLA rate on 2 November 2026, a print-ready file and standard turnaround. The rate includes material, printing and setup. The weight in each example is the estimated material used per copy, including supports. The batch photograph illustrates the kind of work we do. The figures below are worked examples.
Only3D calculates the order in roubles, then divides the total by 75 and rounds up to the next whole US dollar. At the rate used here, 100 g of PLA costs $16 before volume pricing or finishing. For a batch, apply the dollar conversion to the whole order.
1. A small part using 15 g
One copy uses 15 g at 12 RUB per gram, giving 180 RUB. The minimum charge per line item is 300 RUB, so the calculator shows $4. Three identical copies from one file come to 540 RUB in total, which rounds up to $8 for all three. The minimum applies once to that line item.
2. One 50 g part and ten identical copies
One copy costs 50 × 12 = 600 RUB, or $8. Ten copies use an estimated 500 g. The quantity alone qualifies for the 7% volume rate on printing, so the batch comes to 600 × 10 × 0.93 = 5,580 RUB. At the fixed exchange rate that is $74.40, displayed as $75 for the batch.
Weight can also qualify an order for volume pricing. For example, five identical parts using 210 g each add up to 1.05 kg and qualify for the first weight threshold of 1 kg. If several thresholds apply, the calculator uses the highest eligible reduction once.
3. The same part, sanded and primed
Go back to the single part with an $8 print estimate. For the F1 finish, the calculator compares 500 RUB per part with 30% of the print price. Here 30% of 600 RUB is 180 RUB, so finishing adds 500 RUB. Printing, sanding and priming together come to 1,100 RUB, displayed as $15.
If one face needs to be smooth, mark it on a photo or sketch. An enclosure that will sit entirely inside a device may be fine with an as-printed finish. Tell us which surfaces will be visible when you use the part.
Check the estimate for your own model
Upload an STL, STEP or STP file, choose the material and enter the number of identical copies. Compare one copy with a batch using the same finish and turnaround. Then change one setting at a time to see its effect on the price.
We confirm the quote after checking the model. If you only have a physical part or an idea, send photos and overall dimensions. We quote any modelling work separately.
