There are plenty of good reasons for having a 3D printer at home. That said, sometimes even the most accessible options can be a significant investment, especially if you know that you’ll be giving it a limited use. That’s why opting for a 3D printing service can be a great alternative – you’re only paying for what you want, there’ll be a wider variety of materials available, and someone will do the work for you, among other reasons.
If you’re looking to have something 3D printed on a single run or maybe a small batch, it’s important to keep the cost contained.
In this article, we’ll present some of the least expensive 3D printing services out there. But before diving into the list, let’s review a few things you should keep in mind when choosing a 3D printing service.
Considerations
Since we’re looking for affordable yet no-corners-cut manufacturers, we’ve identified a few considerations that are helpful in judging the quality of 3D printing services:
- Lowest prices: Price is definitely important! We compared services based on the cost of printing a single 60 x 31 x 48-mm Benchy in the least expensive material as well as the cost of a batch order of 50 of them.
- Fast processing time: Everyone wants to get their prints in a timely fashion, so we compared the time frame from when the order was taken to the time it was shipped.
- Various printing capabilities: It’s helpful to have a range of options when you want to print something. Therefore, we took a look at the types of printing options available, including material selection as well as additional finishing or marking services.
- Wide reach: Not all services can ship worldwide, so we made sure to note the reach of services’ shipping.
With these considerations in mind, let’s dive into the list. The following entries are organized by the lowest price for one Benchy, although some services require a minimum order (which is noted where relevant).
Craftcloud
Craftcloud by All3DP isn’t just a 3D printing service. It’s a marketplace for 3D printing services. Craftcloud allows you to compare top services worldwide to find the cheapest one that fits your needs.
Based on your location, you’ll be shown real-time prices from providers worldwide who can print your design in the material of your choice and deliver it straight to you. There are more than 100 material options, not to mention numerous finishes and colors. Besides the wide array of choices, users benefit from IP-protected ordering, a customer care team that answers within an 11-hour average timespan (weekends included), and a new feature that allows you to communicate with your service provider directly. And for business customers, Craftcloud offers special features to cater to internal processes.
Every printing partner featured in the marketplace is screened and met by Craftcloud staff as part of the onboarding process, and the quality of their performance is evaluated on an ongoing basis. The transparency is full: Customers know who is printing their order, and partners are visibly acknowledged on the site. If you’re not sure where to start, Craftcloud will provide you with some suggestions to help guide you through the amazing world of 3D printing.
Baysinger's Additive Manufacturing
The Texas-based company Baysinger’s Additive Manufacturing offers a number of services that can be ordered directly through them or via 3D printing marketplaces such as Craftcloud and Treatstock. If you’re looking for a smaller business with a local warehouse in Texas, they might be your best bet.
Baysinger’s has a machine park of over 24 FDM printers and delivers parts in PLA, PETG, ABS, and ASA. Multicolor printing is also an option, and you can recreate a model with up to five colors. They offer worldwide shipping, and all orders are dispatched from their Dallas manufacturing plant.
- Cheapest material: PLA
- Lowest price: ∼$1.60 (minimum order fee of $15)
- Batch of 50: ∼$80
- Processing time: 10-11 days (Expedite shipping available at a 25% fee)
- Printing capabilities: FDM
- Shipping: Worldwide
WeNext
WeNext aims to streamline the process for makers and small-to-medium-sized businesses.
The China-based manufacturer is a very popular one-stop solution in the Asian market that offers SLM, SLS, SLA, and MJF printing in around 30 different materials, including nylon, polypropylene, and several metals. Additionally, you can have your part manufactured through CNC machining or vacuum casting.
Their manufacturing facility can reach a 48-hour turnaround time with worldwide shipping, alongside ISO-certified processes and machinery.
- Cheapest material: Standard resin
- Lowest price: ∼$3
- Batch of 50: ∼$144
- Processing time: Three days, with the possibility to place 48-hour orders
- Printing capabilities: SLM, SLS, SLA, MJF
- Shipping: Worldwide
SchmidtProto
SchmidtProto isn’t your usual small local shop. With experience printing for automotive and industrial manufacturing, they can craft parts in high-performance engineering materials, including flexible, high-temp, and glass or carbon-filled ones. But what truly sets them apart from the competition is the size at which they can print: They can manufacture components as big as 720 x 350 x 400 mm without batting an eye.
They can also provide micro-manufacturing runs of hundreds of parts while always maintaining close contact with the customer, no matter the order size. They’re available through Craftcloud and Treatstock.
- Cheapest material: PLA
- Lowest price: ∼$3 (minimum order price of $35)
- Batch of 50: ∼$150
- Processing time: 9-12 days, with the possibility to place 1-day orders
- Printing capabilities: FDM, SLA, DLP, LCD
- Shipping: Worldwide
In3DTec
In3DTec is a Chinese manufacturing company with the capability of high-volume production runs and as little as one-day turnarounds. Spread across four locations in mainland China, they boast a machine park of more than 300 units and 20 finishing processes.
The processes offered include not only FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF, DMLS, ceramic, and metal printing but also CNC machining, vacuum casting, and injection molding. With a pool of more than 30 different plastics and metals to choose from, the options are far from limited.
Alongside the more traditional additive manufacturing techniques, they also offer 3D scanning and reverse engineering of parts. This service is great for those designers looking to develop CAD models of fluid or organic shapes, such as a car’s dashboard or a human foot. They also offer engineering consults for those looking to improve their design and prepare it for production.
- Cheapest material: PLA
- Lowest price: ∼$5
- Batch of 50: ∼$135
- Processing time: 3-6 days
- Printing capabilities: FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF, DMLS, ceramic, and metal printing
- Shipping: Worldwide
PCBWay
The renowned PCB manufacturer PCBWay has upped its game and introduced the option to order 3D prints directly from its website. Alongside various circuit boards and SMT assembly options, you can now have your model 3D printed in around 30 different materials. FDM, SLS, SLA, MJF, PolyJet, and DMLS manufacturing are the main technologies offered.
In addition to 3D printing, PCBWay offers a wide range of prototyping and manufacturing processes like CNC machining, vacuum casting, and injection molding. There are also options to add metal inserts to the parts, mark prints with serial numbers, or even assemble them. And to make your part even more good-looking, the surface finishes offered include electroplating, spray painting, and sanding.
- Cheapest material: White resin
- Lowest price: ∼$5
- Batch of 50: ∼$118
- Processing time: 2-3 days
- Printing capabilities: FDM, SLS, SLA, MJF, PolyJet, DMLS
- Shipping: Worldwide
3D For Me Studio
3D For Me Studio is a lesser-known 3D manufacturer that operates in Oregon, US. On top of having a physical location, they also offer to print your model through online services such as Craftcloud. They can make your idea come to life either via FDM or resin printing, with plenty of materials to choose from.
Among the most interesting offers, you’ll find HIPS, metal-filled PLA, and castable resin. And a combination of leftover materials can be offered at a discount, if you’re going to post-process the models later (or don’t mind a colorful version). Take a look at their portfolio and judge for yourself.
- Cheapest material: PLA
- Lowest price: ∼$6
- Batch of 50: ∼$80
- Processing time: 6-9 days
- Printing capabilities: FDM, SLA
- Shipping: Worldwide
Taurus3D
Next up, there’s Taurus3D. With experience in the automotive, medical, and drone industries, this Kentucky-based manufacturer makes business exclusively via online services like Craftcloud and Treatstock. By handling all steps of the process, their aim is to offer customers the most hassle-free experience possible. From 3D modeling through material choice and finally printing, you’ll be guided and assisted constantly.
The parts are produced to a professional standard and are made through FDM and SLA processes. The material choice includes nylon and carbon fiber composites.
- Cheapest material: PLA
- Lowest price: ∼$7
- Batch of 50: ∼$190
- Processing time: 10-22 days
- Printing capabilities: FDM, SLA
- Shipping: Worldwide
Hudson Creative Group
Sometimes, it’s actually convenient to go with smaller businesses to ensure quick and effective communication, especially for small-to-medium-sized orders. With five years of experience in the field, Hudson Creative Group will print your design in almost all filament materials. You can ask for a custom order and request a part made out of a specific filament. By default, you can choose between PLA, woodfill PLA, PETG, ABS, PC, and TPU, as well as durable or decorative plastic options.
They also offer a 3D design service and, if you live in Arkansas (US), even 3D scanning. Available through Craftcloud and Treatstock, they offer two-day or less turnaround time for orders under $30.
- Cheapest material: PLA
- Lowest price: ∼$12
- Batch of 50: ∼$180
- Processing time: 10-22 days
- Printing capability: FDM
- Shipping: Worldwide
JawsTec
Based in Idaho, JawsTec provides its services to professional and first-time users alike. Don’t get frightened by the name: The company has a helpful website with in-depth FAQs and an instant quote function. In regard to 3D printing, they house SLS and MJF printers with PA12, PA11, TPU, polypropylene, and glass-filled PA12 materials as well as SLA printers with a variety of resin options. The tolerances and quality of these processes can be expected to be higher compared to a home setup with an FDM printer. Other manufacturing options available through JawsTec include CNC machining, SLM, sheet metal fabrication, and injection molding.
If you don’t have a design file suitable for printing, the JawsTec design team can generate a CAD drawing for you. And if you’d prefer to assess the print quality for yourself before ordering, JawsTec also offers a small selection of pre-printed models for sale.
When it comes to lead times and pricing, the Standard production option means a lead time of 5-7 days, whereas with Economy, orders can take up to twice as long (∼14 days) but will also have a 20% discount, so if you’re not in a rush, it might be an even better option.
- Cheapest material: SLS nylon PA12
- Lowest price: ∼$16 (∼$7 if with “Economy” production)
- Batch of 50: ∼$340
- Processing time: 5-7 days, with the possibility to place Expedite orders (limited to MJF and SLS nylon materials) with a lead time of 3 days
- Printing capabilities: SLS, MJF, SLA
- Shipping: Worldwide
i.Materialise
i.Materialise is the 3D printing service that belongs to the Belgian Materialise group, the developers of the popular software suite Materialise Magic. Launched in 2009, they offer SLS, SLA, FDM, MJF, PolyJet, and metal printing, alongside lost-wax casting. i.Materialise presents a wide selection of materials, including ABS, high-detail resin, and various metals.
Among other solutions, they offer an on-demand CAD design service, sample kits, and low-volume manufacturing runs. With the 10% educational discount, the cost of entry for this tech is reduced for students and teachers.
The operation is chiefly based in Leuven, Belgium, but consists of more than 15 locations around the world, and global shipping is available. Keep in mind that there’s a minimum order size of ∼$45. And if you’re in education and meet certain requirements, you can get a discount.
- Cheapest material: SLS polyamide
- Lowest price: ∼$16
- Batch of 50: ∼$605
- Processing time: 6-10 days (some materials up to 25 days); 48h (priority orders, only polyamide)
- Printing capabilities: SLS, SLA, FDM, MJF, PolyJet, indirect and direct metal printing, lost-wax casting, multicolor, and precious metals printing
- Shipping: Worldwide
License: The text of "Cheap 3D Printing Service: The 10 Best Services" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.