How Much Does a 3D Printing Service Cost in 2019?

Finding the right 3D printing service for your needs can be challenging. It can often seem to take longer than designing the model in the CAD software itself!

More and more printing services are appearing with a variety of different materials, processes, and finishing methods available. Most of them are very similar, however, and finding the signal in the noise is a tedious task.

If you’re interested, take a look at All3DP’s picks for the best online printing services. But for now, let’s do a proper comparison, considering some of the most popular services out there.

All3DP’s done the hard work for you with our all-in-one 3D printing and price comparison service, Craftcloud.

Using your designs and location, the platform offers real-time prices from major global and local providers, including Shapeways, Sculpteo, and i.Materialise. In addition to taking the work off your hands, you can benefit from professional quality, a wide range of materials, and round-the-clock support.

Get It 3D Printed

Craftcloud – 3D Printing & Price Comparison Service

Save up to 50% by comparing prices from the leading 3D printing services. Craftcloud – 3D Printing & Price Comparison Service by All3DP provides worldwide manufacturing and delivery.

In the rest of this article, we’ll present a number of example comparisons using the service. In this way, you can quickly see what results look like and how you can save money having something 3D printed.

The information below was collected using these steps:

1. On the same day (making prices comparable), prices were checked for two parts available on the Craftcloud website – “Trilobe” and “Functional Part”.
2. Different materials have been compared to give a true cost of various material and process combinations. Technologies covered include fused deposition modeling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), and selective laser sintering (SLS).
3. Each part and material price combination has then been checked from two different locations using different currencies in order to determine how prices could be affected from country to country.

The Craftcloud price check includes the following range of materials:

• PLA (best for low cost and prototyping)
• ABS (best for functional, strong, and low-detail parts)
• Nylon (best for strong and functional parts)
• PETG (best for low cost and durability)
• Standard Resin (best for visual models and figurines)
• 316L Stainless Steel (best for highly detailed and functional steel parts)

Prices were gathered from USA and Germany. In order to limit the risk of price fluctuations, all prices were collated on the same day. Where possible, prices were gathered for a black finish in all materials. That said, there is a wide variety of colors available for each different printing process (all of which can be viewed on the Craftcloud website).

It’s also worth noting that at the time of writing, the exchange rates were

• 1 USD = 0.89 EUR
• 1 EUR = 1.13 USD

The Trilobe returned the following prices for customers in the USA and Germany. All prices were for prints in Black with a “Raw” finish unless otherwise noted. The supplier fulfilling the order is also in parentheses alongside each price.

• PLA:
  • USA: $12.68 (Treatstock)
  • Germany: €12.73 (Treatstock)
• ABS:
  • USA: $13.40 (Treatstock)
  • Germany: €16.72 (Treatstock)
• Nylon:
  • USA: $15.01 (JawsTec)
  • Germany: €30.70 (Shapeways)
• PETG:
  • USA: $13.85 (Treatstock)
  • Germany: €18.06 (Treatstock)
• Standard Resin:
  • USA: $21.43 (Harp Concepts)
  • Germany: €29.27 (Treatstock)
• 316L Stainless Steel (Grey):
  • USA: $275.91 (FacFox)
  • Germany: €292.20 (FacFox)

The Functional Part returned the following prices for customers in the USA and Germany. All prices are in Black with a “Raw” finish unless otherwise noted. The supplier fulfilling the order is also in parentheses alongside each price.

• PLA:
  • USA: $13.09 (Treatstock)
  • Germany: €13.61 (Treatstock)
• ABS:
  • USA: $13.40 (Treatstock)
  • Germany: €16.72 (Treatstock)
• Nylon (polished):
  • USA: $29.71 (i.Materialise)
  • Germany: Germany: €30.43 (i.Materialise)
• PETG:
  • USA: $14.53 (Treatstock)
  • €19.61 (Treatstock)
• Standard Resin:
  • USA: $23.44 (Treatstock)
  • Germany: €38.80 (Treatstock)
• 316L Stainless Steel (Grey):
  • USA: $917.90 (FacFox)
  • Germany: €984.19 (FacFox)

When ordering your first parts with Craftcloud, there are a few important details to take notice of before clicking the big blue “Purchase” button:

1. Material is important. Sounds obvious, but make sure you’re selecting the right material for your specific application.
2. Color costs can be affected by finish. Take nylon as an example – it’s easier to add color to a nylon part with “Polished” processing applied, even though it costs extra. So take some time to experiment to find the best option for you.
3. If what you want isn’t there, contact Craftcloud. Say you want a polished finish to your stainless steel part or you’d like to experiment with a material with unique properties (for example a waterproof Polyamide or a Carbon Resin). Get in touch, outline your requirements, and a dedicated team of customer care assistants will help you out!

Happy printing!

Feature image source: Mind Web