🖨️ 3D Printer - Buy vs Outsource Calculator
Compare costs and make an informed decision
Units printed per month
Cost when outsourcing printing
Initial purchase price
Filament/material cost per print
Time cost per print
Maintenance and repairs
Period for comparison (e.g., 12 for one year)
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Your Monthly Volume
Input the number of units you plan to print per month. This is crucial for accurate cost comparison.
Input Outsourcing Costs
Enter the cost per unit when outsourcing to a 3D printing service. Include all fees and shipping costs.
Enter Purchase and Operating Costs
Fill in the 3D printer purchase price, material costs per unit, labor costs, and monthly maintenance expenses.
Set Analysis Timeframe
Choose the period for comparison (e.g., 12 months for one year). This affects the total cost calculation.
Review Results
Examine the recommendation, total costs, savings, ROI, and break-even point to make your decision.
Formula
Total Outsourcing Cost:
Total Outsourcing = Monthly Volume × Outsourcing Cost Per Unit × Timeframe (months)
Total Buy Cost:
Total Buy = Printer Cost + (Monthly Volume × Material Cost × Months) + (Monthly Volume × Labor Cost × Months) + (Maintenance Cost × Months)
Net Savings:
Savings = Total Outsourcing Cost - Total Buy Cost
ROI:
ROI = (Savings / Printer Cost) × 100%
Break-Even Point:
Break-Even Months = Printer Cost / ((Monthly Volume × (Outsource Cost - Material Cost - Labor Cost)) - Monthly Maintenance)
Example 1: High Volume Scenario
Monthly Volume: 200 units, Outsourcing: $5/unit, Printer: $2,000, Material: $1.50/unit, Labor: $0.50/unit, Maintenance: $50/month, Timeframe: 12 months
Total Outsourcing: 200 × $5 × 12 = $12,000
Total Buy: $2,000 + (200 × $1.50 × 12) + (200 × $0.50 × 12) + ($50 × 12) = $2,000 + $3,600 + $1,200 + $600 = $7,400
Savings: $12,000 - $7,400 = $4,600
Recommendation: Buy (saves $4,600 over 12 months)
Example 2: Low Volume Scenario
Monthly Volume: 10 units, Outsourcing: $5/unit, Printer: $2,000, Material: $1.50/unit, Labor: $0.50/unit, Maintenance: $50/month, Timeframe: 12 months
Total Outsourcing: 10 × $5 × 12 = $600
Total Buy: $2,000 + (10 × $1.50 × 12) + (10 × $0.50 × 12) + ($50 × 12) = $2,000 + $180 + $60 + $600 = $2,840
Savings: $600 - $2,840 = -$2,240 (costs more)
Recommendation: Outsource (saves $2,240 by not buying)
About 3D Printer - Buy vs Outsource Calculator
The 3D Printer Buy vs Outsource Calculator helps businesses and individuals make informed decisions about whether to purchase a 3D printer or continue outsourcing 3D printing services. This comprehensive tool compares total costs, calculates return on investment, identifies break-even points, and provides clear recommendations based on your specific printing needs and volume.
When to Use This Calculator
- Business Planning: Evaluate whether purchasing a 3D printer makes financial sense for your business
- Startup Decision: Determine if buying equipment aligns with your budget and production needs
- Cost Optimization: Compare ongoing outsourcing costs versus one-time purchase and operating expenses
- Volume Analysis: Understand how printing volume affects the buy vs outsource decision
- ROI Assessment: Calculate return on investment for 3D printer purchases
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Comprehensive Analysis: Considers all costs including purchase, materials, labor, and maintenance
- ✅ Clear Recommendations: Provides straightforward buy or outsource guidance based on your data
- ✅ Break-Even Analysis: Shows exactly when your investment pays off
- ✅ ROI Calculation: Quantifies the return on your 3D printer investment
- ✅ Timeframe Flexibility: Analyze costs over any period from months to years
- ✅ Real-World Accuracy: Accounts for real operating costs, not just purchase price
Common Applications
- Prototyping Businesses: Evaluate equipment needs for product development
- Manufacturing Companies: Assess in-house vs outsourced production capabilities
- Educational Institutions: Determine if purchasing printers for labs is cost-effective
- Hobbyists and Makers: Make informed decisions about personal 3D printer investments
Tips for Best Results
- Accurate Volume Estimates: Base your monthly volume on historical data or realistic projections
- Include All Costs: Don't forget maintenance, labor time, and material waste in your calculations
- Consider Quality Differences: Factor in any quality advantages of in-house printing
- Account for Convenience: While not quantifiable, consider the value of immediate access and control
- Review Regularly: Recalculate as your volume or costs change over time
Frequently Asked Questions
What costs should I include in the maintenance cost?
Include regular maintenance expenses such as replacement parts, repairs, upgrades, and any service contracts. Also consider the cost of your time spent on maintenance tasks.
How do I estimate labor cost per unit?
Calculate the time spent per print (setup, monitoring, post-processing) and multiply by your hourly rate. If you're doing it yourself, use your opportunity cost or market rate for similar work.
What if my printing volume varies significantly?
Use an average monthly volume based on your historical data or projected needs. You can run multiple scenarios with different volumes to see how sensitive the decision is to volume changes.
Does this calculator account for the time value of money?
This calculator uses simple cost comparison. For more sophisticated analysis including discount rates and net present value, consider using a financial calculator that accounts for the time value of money.
What if I need multiple printers?
Multiply the printer cost by the number of printers needed and adjust the volume accordingly. The calculator will show the total investment required for your fleet.
Should I consider the resale value of the printer?
For more accurate long-term analysis, you can subtract estimated resale value from the printer cost. However, this calculator focuses on operational cost comparison during the analysis period.