Pricing
Fair Pricing on Quality Prints
How Pricing Works
Pricing is simple: you pay based on how much material your print uses, plus a small base fee that covers setup, inspection, and packaging.
When you upload a file, the system calculates the exact amount of plastic needed for your print. The quote you see is the quote you pay—no back-and-forth, no waiting for someone to manually review your file.
Material costs vary based on the type of filament (PLA vs PETG, standard vs specialty colors), but the pricing is always transparent. You'll see the breakdown before you checkout.
Shipping is calculated separately at checkout based on your location and package size. I use actual carrier rates—no markup.
What Affects Your Price
Size & Weight
The biggest factor. A small keychain uses a few grams of plastic; a large enclosure might use hundreds. The instant quote calculates exact material usage from your 3D model.
Material Type
Standard PLA is the most economical. PETG costs a bit more due to material costs. Specialty filaments (glow-in-the-dark, carbon fiber, etc.) have their own pricing.
Infill Density
Most prints don't need to be solid. The default infill settings balance strength and material usage. If you need something extra sturdy, higher infill uses more material.
Quantity
Printing multiples of the same part is efficient—setup is the same whether I'm printing one or ten. Larger orders get better per-unit pricing.
Optional Add-ons
MultiColor Printing — $2
Enable multi-color or multi-material printing using the AMS system. Requires a follow-up consultation to make sure your design is set up correctly for the best results.
Queue Priority — $15
Jump to the front of the queue. Typically shaves 3-5 days off your turnaround time. Good for when you need something faster than the standard ~1 week.
Print Assistance — Free
Not sure if your model is print-ready? I'll review your settings and reach out before printing if anything looks off. No charge—I'd rather catch issues before they waste material.
Ballpark Estimates
Every print is different, but here's a rough idea of what things typically cost:
Small parts (keychains, clips, small brackets) — Usually a few dollars. These use minimal material.
Medium objects (phone stands, figurines, custom housings) — Typically $5-15 depending on complexity and size.
Large items (enclosures, decorative pieces, functional parts) — $15-40+ depending on how much material they need.
Extra large prints — Bigger parts use more plastic. A full-size prop or large container can run $50+.
These are rough estimates for standard PLA. The best way to know what your specific print will cost is to upload the file—it takes 30 seconds and you'll get an exact price.
Why the Prices Are Fair
I'm not the cheapest because I cut corners. I'm affordable because I run things efficiently:
No middlemen. You're buying directly from me. No distributors, no platform fees, no markup chains eating into your budget.
Modern equipment. BambuLab printers are fast and reliable. Higher throughput means I can spread fixed costs across more prints.
No retail overhead. This is an online operation. No expensive storefront, no retail staff—just me, the printers, and your orders.
Fair margins. I'd rather have happy repeat customers than squeeze maximum profit from each order. Good prices build long-term relationships.
Common Questions
How accurate is the instant quote?
Very accurate. The system uses professional slicing software to calculate exact material usage. The price you see when you upload is the price you pay (plus shipping and any add-ons you select).
Do you offer volume discounts?
For larger orders or ongoing production runs, reach out at orders@mandarin3d.com. I'm happy to discuss custom pricing for bulk work—like the 3,500+ keychains I did for Vercel.
What if my file is too big for your printers?
Standard P1S printers handle up to 250×250×250mm. For larger parts (up to 340×320×340mm), I have H2S printers available. If your part exceeds those dimensions, we can discuss splitting it into multiple pieces.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The price shown is what you pay for printing. Shipping is calculated separately at checkout based on your location and package size—I use actual carrier rates with no markup.
What's the turnaround time?
Most orders ship within about a week. If you need it faster, add Queue Priority and I'll bump your order to the front.