What does custom 3D printing cost?
Printing a small part doesn't cost hundreds of euros — but “what does it cost?” honestly can't be answered with a single number. The price depends on the volume of your part, the material and how much design work is needed. On this page you'll see exactly what drives the price, with guide prices and real examples from our workshop. So you'll have a rough idea of where you'll land before you send a request.
Simple parts start around €30. Most of the jobs we make sit between €85 and €165. A quote is always free and without obligation — send your 3D file or just a photo with dimensions.
What drives the price?
1. Print time and material use
The bigger and denser the part, the longer the printer runs and the more material goes in. A handful of small clips is therefore much cheaper than one large solid block — even if they look like “more work”.
2. Material
Standard PLA is the most affordable. Technical materials such as PETG, ASA or carbon-filled variants (for strength, outdoor use or heat) cost more per kilo and sometimes need an adapted print setup. Which material you need depends on what the part has to do — we look at that together with your request.
3. Design and preparation work
If you already have a print-ready 3D file (STL, STEP or 3MF), this cost drops away. If it still needs to be drawn — from a sketch, photo or an existing part we measure up — we charge design time at €45 per hour, as a one-off cost you don't pay again on a re-order. Reverse engineering of a broken part is possible too; we discuss that up front.
4. Finishing and colour
Multi-colour prints, smooth visible surfaces or post-processing (sanding, tapping threads, inserts) add time and therefore price. For functional parts nobody sees, you skip this and keep the price low.
5. Quantities
From a few pieces onward the unit price drops noticeably: the preparation happens once, the printer does the rest. Small runs of 10 to 250 pieces are exactly where 3D printing is cheaper than injection moulding or milling.
Guide prices
Online upload platforms are sometimes cheaper for simple small prints — there you pay for an anonymous print, nothing more. With us, every price includes the thinking along: material choice, printability, fit and one point of contact from file to finished part.
These are guide prices, not quotes: you'll get your exact price after one email with your file or photo — within 1 working day.
A real example from the workshop
Insert plates for a tool case — a set of custom pegboard insert plates for a Milwaukee PACKOUT system, printed in carbon-reinforced PETG (stiff and impact-resistant): €105 excluding shipping.
How to request a price
- Send what you have to hello@embody3.com: a 3D file (STL, STEP, 3MF), a photo with dimensions, or just a description of what the part needs to do.
- You'll get a concrete price with a material proposal and delivery time — free and without obligation.
- After your go-ahead we print and ship your order, neatly packed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order value?+
There is no minimum order value — small parts start from €30. That price also includes the preparation: file check, print setup and material choice. So you're welcome even for a single small part.
How quickly is my part ready?+
For single pieces usually 3 to 5 working days after go-ahead. Runs and design work we agree up front.
Which files can I supply?+
STL, STEP, 3MF or OBJ. No 3D file? A clear photo with dimensions is enough to start.
Is 3D printing cheaper than milling or injection moulding?+
For single pieces and small runs almost always: there are no mould or setup costs. From large quantities (thousands of pieces) injection moulding wins.
Which material do I need?+
For indoor use without heavy load: PLA. Outdoors or in the sun: ASA or PETG. Strong and stiff: carbon-reinforced materials. Unsure — add what the part has to do, and we'll propose the right material. Explained material by material in our material guide.