Comparison
Slicer cost vs. pricing calculator: what the slicer doesn't calculate
The slicer estimates time and filament, and some show the material cost. That's the start of the price, not the price. See what's left out.
Summary
Slicer cost or Meu Sócio 3D
| What you need | Slicer cost | Meu Sócio 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Print time and filament weight | Yes | Uses the slicer numbers |
| Filament cost | If the spool price is set up | Yes |
| Printer electricity | Some slicers | Yes |
| Printer wear | No | Yes |
| Labor (prep, finishing, packing) | No | Yes |
| Reserve for failed parts | No | Yes |
| Taxes and sales fees | No | Yes |
| Profit margin and selling price | No | Yes |
| Quote, order and inventory | No | Yes |
The slicer shows the cost of printing, not the cost of selling
OrcaSlicer, Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, and Cura calculate the time and filament for each print, and can show the material cost when the spool price is set up. It's a useful number, but it's only part of the cost.
What gets left out: machine wear, your time to prep and finish the piece, failed prints, taxes, and card or marketplace fees. And, of course, the profit margin.
From slicer to selling price
It's simple: take the time and weight the slicer shows and enter them in the pricing calculator, along with your hourly rate and your taxes. It adds everything up and gives you the price that pays the bills and leaves the margin you chose.
Slicer cost is enough if you
- Print for your own use
- Just want a material estimate
Choose Meu Sócio 3D if you
- Sell the pieces you print
- Need a price that covers your time and taxes
- Want a price ready to send to the customer
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does Bambu Studio calculate the price of the piece?
It estimates time and filament and can show the material cost if the spool price is set. Labor, wear, failures, taxes and margin aren't part of that calculation.
Which slicer shows the energy cost?
Some slicers let you enter the cost of electricity. Even so, printer wear, labor, and taxes are still left out.
How do I use the slicer's numbers in the price?
Take the time and filament weight to the pricing calculator or the free calculator. They combine those numbers with the other costs and calculate the selling price.
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