How to price 3D printed planters
Planters use more filament than most decor and often print in vase mode or with thin walls. Material choice also decides whether they can live outdoors.
Typical material use
80–300 g
Typical print time
3–10 h
Common materials
PLA indoors; PETG or ASA outdoors
Hands-on time
5–10 min
Step 1: work out your real cost
The calculator is preset for a typical planter. Change it to your slicer's numbers.
Estimated cost per print
$7.08
- Material
- $3.20
- Electricity
- $0.14
- Printer wear
- $0.72
- Labor
- $2.67
- Failed-print buffer
- $0.35
An estimate from the numbers you enter. It leaves out packaging, shipping, marketplace fees and tax.
What drives the cost
- Size scales grams roughly with surface area, so a 2× larger planter can use about 4× the filament.
- Drainage trays add a second print.
- Outdoor-grade filament costs more per kg.
Costs the calculator leaves out
- Drainage trays or saucers
- Protective packaging for thin walls
- Larger shipping box
Step 2: turn cost into a price
A simple method: price = (cost + fixed fees) ÷ (1 − fee % − margin %). Using the example print cost of $7.08, plus about $1.50 for extras, a 10% marketplace and payment fee and a $0.45 fixed fee gives:
| Target margin | Price that covers it |
|---|---|
| 10% | $11.29 |
| 20% | $12.90 |
| 30% | $15.05 |
Illustrative only. Use your marketplace's current fee schedule, shipping and tax. A price that covers cost is not a promise anyone will buy at it, so check demand and competing listings.
Pricing tips for planters
- Price by size tier (small, medium, large) instead of one price.
- Sets of 3 nested sizes are an easy bundle.
- Bulky parcels cost more to ship, so check postage before pricing.
Price other products
Know your cost. Now check the demand.
MeshNomics helps makers research what to make and sell. Compare model interest and marketplace signals, review commercial-use permissions and evaluate production costs before committing printer time and money.
Start your free 30-day trialNo card required. Estimates only, not a promise of sales or profit. Also free: cost calculator · STL repair.