Charging per print hour is a simple way to price work when material weighs little and machine time is the expensive part: long prints, low-filament parts, or lots of fine detail. To set your rate you need to add up what each hour of work costs you and then add your margin. Here's the math, with examples in several currencies.
Hourly rate
You then multiply that total by (1 + your margin). With a 40% margin, you multiply by 1.4. You can see how each piece is calculated in [how much electricity a 3D printer uses](/en/blog/cuanta-luz-gasta-impresora-3d) and in [3D printer depreciation](/en/blog/amortizacion-impresora-3d-costo-por-hora).
When to charge per hour and when per part
Per hour: long, low-material parts
If a part ties up your machine for many hours but uses little filament, time is the main cost. Charging only by grams would leave you out of pocket.
Per part: products you repeat
If you always sell the same item, calculate its cost once and set a fixed price. It's clearer for the customer.
Mixed: minimum plus time
A minimum price per order (to cover prep and shipping) plus the machine hourly rate for the rest.
Examples with assumptions in four currencies
The numbers in the table are round assumptions to show the math: a print that uses 12 g of material per hour, an 80 W machine, and a 40% margin. Neither the material prices, the electricity rates, nor the value of your labor are official figures; replace them with yours.
Cost and rate per machine hour (example with assumptions)
| Country / currency | Material (12 g) | Power | Wear | Your labor | Cost per hour | Rate with 40% margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico (MXN) | $4.80 (at $0.40/g) | $0.20 (at $2.5/kWh) | $3.00 | $15.00 | $23.00 | $32.20 MXN |
| Argentina (ARS) | $360 (at $30/g) | $12 (at $150/kWh) | $200 | $900 | $1,472 | $2,060.80 ARS |
| Colombia (COP) | $1,200 (at $100/g) | $64 (at $800/kWh) | $800 | $4,000 | $6,064 | $8,489.60 COP |
| Peru (PEN) | S/ 1.20 (at S/ 0.10/g) | S/ 0.06 (at S/ 0.70/kWh) | S/ 0.80 | S/ 4.00 | S/ 6.06 | S/ 8.48 |
With the Mexico rate from the example, an 8-hour part would come to $257.60 MXN (32.20 × 8). With a different machine, material, or value on your time, the result changes: that's why another shop's rate doesn't work for you.
Don't copy the competition's rate
Another shop may have machines already paid off, cheaper material, or not charge for its time. If you copy its price without knowing your cost, you may end up charging less than it costs you to produce.
Common mistakes when setting an hourly rate
Frequently asked questions
How much do you charge per hour for 3D printing?+
Is it better to charge per hour or per gram?+
Should I charge my prep time separately?+
How often should I review my rate?+
Calculate your rate with your numbers
The free calculator at minegocio3d.com/calculadora adds material, electricity, wear, and labor with your data. And with MiNegocio3D you store each printer's cost per hour and use it in all your quotes. From 17 USD a month, with a 7-day free trial, no card required, and a 30-day guarantee.