How We Price a 3D Print (No Mysteries)
Ever wondered why one part costs $6 and another costs $40? Here is exactly what drives the price — and how to print smarter.
The short answer
The price of a 3D print is set by four things: the grams of plastic the part needs, the material, how strong you asked it to be, and flat per-order fees. On 3DprintLB that is $0.14 to $0.22 per printed gram depending on material, a $3.50 order fee, and $5 delivery — all shown before you order.
Most print shops make you message them and wait for a number. We show the price instantly — so it is only fair to explain how it is calculated.
1. How much material your part uses
This is the biggest factor. When you upload a file, we measure its actual volume and dimensions and estimate how many grams of filament it will take once printed. Bigger and denser parts use more material, so they cost more.
2. How strong you need it
Parts are not printed solid — the inside is a lattice called infill. A decorative piece can be light at 15% infill and cheap. A functional bracket that has to bear load uses 50% or more, which means more material and more print time. You choose the strength; the price adjusts live.
3. Material and colour
Standard PLA is the most affordable at $0.14 per printed gram. Tougher PETG is $0.16 and flexible TPU is $0.22. Multi-colour prints use extra material and machine time — the printer purges the nozzle at every colour change — so they carry a 25% surcharge plus $2.
4. Flat service and delivery fees
A $3.50 order fee covers setup, quality inspection and packaging, and delivery is a flat $5 anywhere in Lebanon. There is an $8 minimum order before delivery. That is the whole list — no hidden extras at checkout.
Printing smarter
- Choose the lowest strength that still does the job.
- Order several small parts together to share the flat fees.
- Scale a model down if the exact size is not critical.
- Print five or more of the same part and a quantity discount applies automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the quote an estimate rather than an exact weight?
Because the final number depends on how the part is oriented and supported on the bed, which is decided at slicing. The engine models a printed part as a shell around a lattice, which tracks real slicer output closely for typical parts — and the price you are shown is the price you pay, even if the actual grams differ slightly.
Does a hollow model cost less than a solid-looking one?
Yes, substantially. Price follows printed grams, and a hollowed model can use a fraction of the plastic of the same shape printed dense.
What is infill and which setting should I pick?
Infill is the internal lattice that fills the space inside the walls. 15% for decorative pieces, 25% as a standard default, 50% for parts that take load, and 100% only when a part must be as strong and as heavy as possible.
Are there any fees added at checkout?
No. The total you see includes the parts, the $3.50 order fee and the $5 delivery. You pay the courier in cash on arrival.
Got a file to print?
Instant price, delivered anywhere in Lebanon for a flat $5.
