How to optimize your files for lower machine time and less material waste before you order
Your digital file serves as the direct recipe for our production. When you upload a model to our price calculator, the system analyzes the model’s volume and calculates the necessary machine time automatically. In practice, an FDM 3D printer works like a robot-controlled glue gun that builds your model layer by layer with melted plastic. Every single layer takes time, and time is exactly the primary cost.
Machine time makes up the largest part of your 3D print price. A small figure might take 30 minutes to produce, while a larger and more complex model can take over 9 hours. Material also costs money, as we purchase filament in 1 kg rolls, but the machine’s operating time carries the most weight. A massive or unoptimized model uses more of the roll and locks the machine for a longer time. You therefore lower the 3D print price directly by reducing material consumption and optimizing the design for faster production.
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How can hollowing out your model reduce the price?
You pay for all the material included in your 3D model. A massive block of plastic costs unnecessarily much money if the strength is not required. You should make your model hollow to save significantly on the price. This process is called hollowing in technical terms.
You control material consumption precisely through wall thickness and infill. Walls make up the model’s outer shell. A standard strength often requires 3 to 4 walls, which corresponds to perimeters in your slicer. You should reduce this number to 2 walls if the model is only to be used visually. Infill is the internal structure that keeps the model stable. A standard of 20% infill ensures good strength for functional parts. Lower this value to 10% or 15% to save material and machine time on cosmetic items.
Remember also to make drain holes if you order SLA or SLS 3D print. Without these holes, excess material is trapped inside the hollow model during production. This increases the weight and thus the price. Place two small holes at the bottom of your hollow model so that excess resin or powder can flow out.
Why is reducing support material the key to savings?
Support material ends up directly in the bin after production. You pay for material to hold up overhanging parts while the machine works, but it adds no value to the final product. After the 3D print itself, we remove this structure manually, which costs both material and labor time.
Design your model with self-supporting angles to avoid this cost. A 3D printer typically handles angles up to 45 degrees without help. You should avoid angles that are flatter than this limit. Rotate your model in your 3D design program and find the orientation that has the fewest overhangs. Lay the flat side with the largest surface area against the bottom to create a stable foundation without the need for scaffolding.
Use tree supports if support is absolutely unavoidable. This structure looks like organic branches on a tree and only grips the model exactly where necessary. It uses significantly less material than traditional, block-shaped support. Less support means less waste and a lower 3D print price.
How do polygon count, nozzle size, and file resolution affect your price?
The file format and resolution control both the quality and the speed of production. We recommend the STL format, which works like a JPEG image for 3D models. A polygon count that is too high makes the file heavy for our system to calculate, while a count that is too low makes the model angular and unattractive.
Choose a larger nozzle to increase speed if the finish is not critical. The standard nozzle size on our machines is 0.4 mm. A 0.6 mm nozzle lays more plastic per path, which significantly reduces the number of paths required. Your 3D print will be finished faster, lowering the price. The surface becomes slightly coarser with a larger nozzle, but you should accept this trade-off to achieve a lower price on large, simple items.
Also, adjust the layer height in your expectations. The standard layer height is often 0.2 mm for a nice finish. Increase this to 0.28 mm if you want to save money. The machine has to print fewer layers to reach the full height, which saves time.
How can batch production be utilized in the file?
Collect your small parts into one combined order. Every startup of a 3D printer costs a fixed startup fee for preparation. You distribute this cost over several units by ordering many items at once.
Take advantage of the principle of filling the build plate. If you need 20 cable holders or 50 small assembly pieces, it pays to pack them closely. Our system often calculates a better price for a combined production, as we can utilize the machine’s area better. This is called nesting. Upload all parts at the same time instead of placing individual orders over several days.
How can splitting large models save you money?
Large models often require large machines with a higher hourly rate. Your model might also require a lot of support to fit on the build plate in one piece.
Cut your model into smaller pieces before uploading. Use the cut function in your CAD program to divide a large helmet or figure into smaller parts with flat cut surfaces. These surfaces are placed directly against the build plate during production, removing the need for support. Smaller parts fit on our standard machines, which have lower operating costs than large-format printers.
Glue the parts together after receipt. Use a strong glue like cyanoacrylate or two-component epoxy for the assembly. The joint often becomes stronger than the 3D print itself due to the chemical bonding of the glue. You save money on machine time, support material, and avoid fees for large-format print by thinking in modules.
Which infill percentage should I choose to save money?
Choose an infill between 10% and 15% to achieve the lowest price without losing structural stability. A lower filling degree saves both filament and 3D print time, which reduces costs. For purely visual models, you can also reduce the number of walls to two for further savings.
Why does using support material make my 3D print more expensive?
Support material increases the price because you pay for plastic that must be thrown away, as well as time for manual post-processing. You should rotate your file digitally so the flat side faces down toward the build plate. This minimizes the need for support and ensures a faster and cheaper production of your item.
Does a larger layer height make my 3D print cheaper?
Yes, an increased layer height of, for example, 0.28 mm makes your 3D print cheaper to produce. When the printer lays thicker layers, it has to pass over the model fewer times to reach the full height. This reduces machine time significantly, which is the primary factor for the final price.
Is it cheaper to order many 3D prints at once?
It is often cheaper to collect your items into one batch order to distribute the startup costs over several parts. By uploading several small parts simultaneously, we utilize the 3D printer’s build plate better through nesting. This reduces waste time and gives you a better unit price on your total order.
How do I save money on large 3D models?
You save money on large models by cutting them into smaller pieces with the cut function in your CAD program. Smaller parts can be printed on standard machines without the use of expensive support structures. You simply glue the parts together afterward, which is often cheaper than paying for large-format 3D print.
Which file format is best for an accurate 3D print price?
We recommend the STL format for price calculation, as it is the absolute industry standard for 3D print. The format works as a digital recipe that lets our system analyze the volume accurately. Ensure you export your file with an appropriate resolution so it is neither too angular nor unnecessarily heavy.
Make the most of your budget
You now have 5 concrete methods to lower your 3D print price significantly. By optimizing your file before upload, you ensure that you only pay for the necessary material and the absolute machine time. It pays to use five minutes in the design phase to rotate, hollow out, or split your model.
Below you can see an overview of the effect these individual measures have on your final price.
| Optimization measure | Action | Estimated effect on price |
| Hollowing | Set walls to 2 layers, infill to 10-15% | High (Saves material) |
| Reduce Support | Orient file correctly, use the 45-degree rule | High (Saves waste and time) |
| Layer Height & Nozzle | Increase layer height (0.28mm) or nozzle size (0.6mm) | High (Saves machine time) |
| Batch production | Collect several small parts in one order | Medium (Distributes start cost) |
| Cutting | Cut large models into smaller, flat pieces | Medium (Avoids support) |
Is your file ready for production? Use our online price calculator now and see your savings immediately.
