3D Printer – Buy vs Outsource Calculator
Compare total cost of buying a 3D printer vs outsourcing to a printing service. Break-even volume and TCO.
Use the 3D Printer – Buy vs Outsource Calculator
Compare buying a 3D printer vs outsourcing. Enter costs and expected volume.
Buy (in-house)
Outsource
Comparison
Results
Buy is cheaper over 3 years at 30 prints/month.
Buy TCO: $4,220. Outsource TCO: $27,000.
Buy total cost
$4,220
Outsource total cost
$27,000
Buy avg/month
$117
Outsource avg/month
$750
Break-even volume
3 prints/month
Volume above which buy is cheaper
Break-even: prints/month at which buy becomes cheaper than outsource (ignoring time value of money).
How this calculator works
Enter printer cost, material per print, outsource cost per print, and expected volume. TCO over your horizon is compared.
How to interpret your results
If buy wins at your volume, buying may be cheaper. Break-even volume shows the threshold; above it, buy is typically better.
FAQs
When does buying a 3D printer make sense?▾
When print volume is high enough that material + fixed costs beat the per-print outsource rate. Use break-even volume as a guide.
When does outsourcing make sense?▾
When volume is low, you need occasional prints, or you want to avoid maintenance and upfront investment.
What costs should I include for buy?▾
Printer cost, material per print, maintenance, power. Add labour if you value your time.
What is break-even volume?▾
Prints per month above which buy becomes cheaper than outsource over the horizon.
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