If you buy filament, spare parts, or printers that are imported but you charge in local currency, every time the exchange rate moves, your profit moves too. Deciding whether to quote 3D printing in dollars or in local currency isn't a matter of taste: it depends on which part of your costs follows the dollar and which doesn't. This guide helps you separate them, build a quote with a reference exchange rate, and show it to the customer without confusion.
Quoting 3D printing in dollars or local currency: the underlying question
The real question isn't "which currency do I charge in?" but "which currency do I spend in?". If most of what you pay to produce a part is tied to the dollar, charging in local currency with no adjustment mechanism leaves you exposed every time the exchange rate rises. If, on the other hand, most of your costs are local, quoting in local currency is simple and stable. Almost every shop sits in the middle, with a mix of both, which is why you need to separate the costs before deciding.
Which costs follow the dollar and which are local
The table is a general guide, not a rule: every country and every supplier is different. Check it against your own invoices.
What usually follows the dollar and what's usually local (rough guide)
| Cost | Usually tied to the dollar? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Imported filament or resin | Yes, often | The supplier restocks in foreign currency |
| Imported printer and spare parts | Yes, often | Bought abroad or priced off the dollar |
| Imported tools and accessories | Often | Depends on where they're bought |
| Electricity | No, it's local | The rate is set in your area and your currency |
| Your time and labor | No, it's local | Paid and spent in local currency |
| Local packaging and shipping | Almost always local | Unless they rely on imported supplies |
| Software or subscriptions | Depends on the vendor | Many are billed in USD; MiNegocio3D, for example, bills its plans in USD |
Not all of your price moves with the dollar
Because part of your costs is local, a rise in the exchange rate doesn't raise the whole price in the same proportion. Knowing how much of your cost is tied to the dollar keeps you from both falling short and raising too much.
An example with assumptions: what happens when the exchange rate rises
Every value below is a made-up assumption to show the math, including the exchange rate: none are figures from any market. Suppose 1 USD = 1,000 units of local currency. A part uses 50 g of filament at 20 USD per kilo (1.00 USD) and 4 hours of printing with machine wear of 0.10 USD per hour (0.40 USD). That 1.40 USD is tied to the dollar. Electricity (400 local) and your time (3,000 local) are local costs.
Same part at two assumed exchange rates (units of local currency)
| Item | At 1 USD = 1,000 | At 1 USD = 1,200 |
|---|---|---|
| Material and wear (1.40 USD) | 1,400 | 1,680 |
| Electricity (local) | 400 | 400 |
| Your time (local) | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Total real cost | 4,800 | 5,080 |
| Price with a 40% margin | 6,720 | 7,112 |
In the example, the assumed dollar rises 20% but the part's price rises about 5.8%, because more than half of the cost is local. In your shop the split will be different, which is why it pays to calculate it with your own data. If you don't know your material cost per gram, the guide on [PLA cost per gram](/en/blog/costo-por-gramo-pla) explains it step by step, and your [printer's cost per hour](/en/blog/amortizacion-impresora-3d-costo-por-hora) gives you the wear part.
How to quote in local currency with a reference exchange rate
Quoting in local currency doesn't force you to ignore the dollar. What you do is convert the currency-linked costs with a reference exchange rate, write it on the quote, and give it a validity date. That way the customer sees a price in their currency and you know which rate you calculated it at. These are the steps:
If you'd also like to go deeper on keeping prices current when everything goes up, see [how to update 3D printing prices during inflation](/en/blog/actualizar-precios-impresion-3d-inflacion). The full quoting process is in [how to quote 3D printing](/en/blog/como-cotizar-impresion-3d).
When it makes sense to quote in dollars
Quoting directly in dollars makes sense in some cases: when the customer already works in dollars (for example another company or a buyer abroad), when the order is large and imported material weighs heavily in the cost, or when the gap between quoting and getting paid is long and you don't want to be exposed to a change in between. In those cases the price stays stable in the same currency you use to restock.
There are also limits. In some countries there are rules or customs about which currency can or usually is used for prices and invoices, and there may be tax consequences. We can't give you specific advice: consult an accountant or your country's authority before setting a policy. And from the customer's side, a dollar price can be a barrier for someone who earns in local currency, so offering both options often works better.
How to show it to the customer without confusing them
A good format includes the price in local currency, the reference exchange rate with its date, and the validity. Using the assumed numbers above, for example: "Price: 6,720 in local currency. Reference: 1 USD = 1,000 as of October 9. Valid for 5 days". That way the customer understands the price may change after the deadline, and you don't have to argue about it later. A PDF with your branding and those three details looks professional and prevents misunderstandings.
Frequently asked questions
Which exchange rate should I use?+
Is it better to charge in dollars to protect myself?+
How often should I update the exchange rate I use?+
What about quotes I already sent if the dollar moves?+
Quote with your own numbers, not someone else's
MiNegocio3D calculates the real cost per part from your material, electricity, wear, and time data, and builds PDF quotes with your branding to send by email or WhatsApp. Its plans are billed in USD, from 17 USD a month, with a 7-day free trial, no card required, and a 30-day guarantee. You can also start with the free calculator.