Cost to start a 3D printing business

Keep your mind on your $$$.

3/10/20252 min read

The cost of starting a 3D printing business depends on your niche, equipment, and business setup. Below is a breakdown of expected startup costs for different budget levels:

Basic Startup (~$500 - $1,500)

Ideal for: Hobbyists & small-scale custom printing (Etsy, eBay, local orders)

Estimated Item Cost

  • FDM 3D Printer (Ender 3 V3 SE, Creality K1, etc.) $250 - $500

  • Filaments (PLA, PETG, ABS) (5-10 spools) $100 - $200

  • Slicing Software (Cura, Prusa Slicer - Free) $0

  • Basic Post-Processing Tools (sandpaper, glue, paints) $50 - $100

  • Website Hosting (WordPress, domain, SSL) $100 - $200

  • Marketing (ads, social media, logo design) $50 - $200

  • Shipping & Packaging Materials (boxes, tape, labels) $50 - $100

  • Total Estimated Cost $500 - $1,500

💡 Best for: Testing the market with simple products before scaling up.

Mid-Tier Startup (~$2,000 - $5,000)

Ideal for: Small businesses selling custom prints, prototypes, and miniatures

Estimated Item Cost

  • FDM 3D Printer (Bambu Lab X1-Carbon, Prusa MK4) $800 - $1,500

  • Resin 3D Printer (Elegoo Saturn 3 Ultra, Anycubic Photon M5S) $400 - $700

  • Filaments & Resin (More materials for variety) $200 - $500

  • Upgraded Post-Processing Tools (UV cure, paints, airbrush) $150 - $300

  • Website Development (WordPress store, plugins) $300 - $600

  • Marketing & Ads (Google, Etsy, social media promotions) $500 - $1,000

  • Legal & Business Registration (LLC, permits, insurance) $300 - $700

  • Total Estimated Cost $2,000 - $5,000

💡 Best for: A more professional operation, selling online and handling moderate demand.

Professional Business Setup (~$5,000 - $15,000+)

Ideal for: Full-scale 3D printing business with high production & multiple printers

Estimated Item Cost

  • Multiple FDM 3D Printers (Bambu Lab X1E, Raise3D Pro3, etc.) $2,000 - $6,000

  • High-End Resin Printer (Formlabs Form 3+, Anycubic Photon Mono M5S) $1,000 - $3,000

  • Industrial Filaments & Resin (bulk purchases for production) $500 - $1,500

  • Post-Processing Setup (resin wash station, air filtration, painting station) $500 - $1,000

  • Professional Website & SEO (custom WordPress store, e-commerce features) $1,000 - $2,500

  • Advertising & Branding (logos, paid ads, influencer marketing) $1,000 - $3,000

  • Legal, Insurance & Business Licensing $500 - $1,000

  • Total Estimated Cost $5,000 - $15,000+

💡 Best for: Scaling up for mass production, corporate orders, and high-end custom prints.

💡 Final Thoughts: What’s the Right Budget for You?

It depends on how big you want to start:

$500 - $1,500 → Small side hustle, test the market with custom prints.

$2,000 - $5,000 → Mid-range business, online store with multiple products.

$5,000+ → Full-time 3D printing business with large-scale production.

Back