Exactly how your print is priced
No mystery numbers — every custom print quote is built from the same open formula: material, machine time, finish and difficulty. Here's how each part works.
Material
Charged per gram of filament used, including supports and skirts. Rates range from £0.09/g for PLA Basic to £0.34/g for Tough Resin.
Machine time
Every gram of plastic takes machine hours to lay down. We charge £3.40 per machine-hour, and finer layers take longer — that's why 0.08 mm prints cost more than 0.28 mm drafts.
Layer height
The layer height you pick multiplies machine time: ultra-fine 0.08 mm takes roughly 1.9× longer than the balanced 0.20 mm default.
Quantity
Batch discounts apply automatically: 5–9 identical units get 10% off, and 10+ units get 18% off — because one setup prints them all.
Material rates · per gram
| Filament | Rate | Character |
|---|---|---|
| PLA Basic | £0.09/g | Crisp detail, matte surface, ideal for display parts. |
| PETG-CF | £0.16/g | Carbon reinforced. Stiff, heat tolerant, low warp. |
| ABS-GF | £0.14/g | Glass filled. Impact resistant for enclosures. |
| PAHT-CF | £0.28/g | Nylon composite. Highest strength-to-weight in the fleet. |
| TPU 95A | £0.19/g | Flexible elastomer for gaskets and grips. |
| Tough Resin | £0.34/g | SLA finish. Sub-50 micron feature resolution. |
Layer height · time factor
- 0.08 mm · Ultra fine×1.9
- 0.16 mm · Standard×1.3
- 0.20 mm · Balanced×1
- 0.28 mm · Draft speed×0.78
Finish options · add-on
- As Printedincluded
- Sanded & Primed+£12
- Hand Painted+£34
Difficulty · multiplier
- Beginner · Simple geometry×1
- Intermediate · Some supports×1.15
- Advanced · Complex supports×1.35
- Expert · Tight tolerances×1.6
Worked example · PETG-CF bracket
- 45 g PETG-CF at £0.16/g£7.20
- 3.1 machine-hours at £3.40/hr£10.54
- Sanded & primed finish£12.00
- Setup & slicing£4.50
- Total, one unit£34.24
Order five identical units and the batch discount brings the same spec to £30.82 each. Every quote from the configurator shows the material grams, machine hours and finish line-by-line before you commit.