We get asked the same question at every trade show: "Why does a 3D printed part cost ₹800 when the filament costs ₹20?" The answer is instructive, and understanding it will help you write better briefs, compare quotes intelligently, and negotiate for the right reasons.
The Four Cost Drivers
1. Material
Industrial-grade FDM filament costs ₹1,000–3,000/kg. A 100-cm³ PETG part uses roughly 90 g of material (factoring typical 20% infill and walls), costing ₹90–270 in raw material. SLA resin is ₹3,000–8,000/litre. DMLS titanium powder is ₹6,000–10,000/kg — and powder utilisation in a build is 40–60%, with the remainder recycled but not infinitely.
Material is rarely the dominant cost. For FDM parts, it represents 15–25% of total cost. For DMLS, it is 30–40%.
2. Machine Time
Industrial FDM machines cost ₹15–40 lakh. They depreciate over 4–6 years, require calibration, maintenance, and operator oversight. Machine time for FDM is priced at ₹150–400/hour. A 100-cm³ part typically prints in 2–4 hours — ₹300–1,200 in machine time.
DMLS machines cost ₹3–8 crore and run at ₹2,000–5,000/hour. A 50×50×50 mm titanium block takes 6–10 hours at full density. This is why DMLS part prices start at ₹5,000.
3. Labour: Setup, Removal, and Inspection
Every print requires setup (bed levelling, supports configuration, slicing review), removal and support stripping (15–45 minutes for complex parts), and dimensional inspection. On a ₹500 FDM part, labour may represent ₹150–200 — the single largest cost component after setup amortisation.
This is why small batches of simple parts are relatively expensive per unit, and why 50-piece orders cost less per unit than single pieces: setup cost is spread across the batch.
4. Overhead and Quality Systems
AS9100 and ISO 13485 certification costs ₹8–12 lakh per year in audits, document management, and calibration. This overhead is spread across all production. For a standard order, it adds 5–8% to the total. For certified aerospace/medical orders (which receive the full documentation package), the overhead contribution is 12–18%.
Worked Example: FDM Enclosure
Part: PETG enclosure, 120×80×40 mm, 2 mm walls, 15% infill. Mass ~65 g.
| Material (PETG, 65 g) | ₹90 |
| Machine time (3.5 h) | ₹420 |
| Labour + inspection | ₹160 |
| Overhead + margin | ₹130 |
| Total (single unit) | ₹800 |
| 50-unit batch (amortised setup) | ₹490/unit |
How to Get a Better Price
Batch your orders. Combine multiple part numbers into a single build to share setup cost. Ten different parts ordered together are significantly cheaper per unit than ten separate orders.
Simplify geometry. Support structures increase print time and post-processing labour. Redesign with 45° chamfers instead of horizontal lips. Reduce the number of distinct orientations needed.
Relax tolerances. Standard tolerances are included in the base price. Tighter tolerances (requiring post-machining or 100% inspection) add 20–60% to part cost. Use tight tolerances only where functionally necessary.
Specify standard materials. Specialty materials (exotic resins, IN718, Ti-6Al-4V) carry material surcharges. PETG, PLA, ABS, 316L SS, and standard PA12 SLS powder are all held in stock and priced at commodity rates.