How to Price Custom 3D Print Commissions (2026 Guide)
Custom commissions are different from catalogue prints — unpredictable design time, revision cycles, and unique material requirements. If you price them like standard prints, you'll undersell. This guide breaks down the five components of a custom quote, how to estimate design time, when to charge rush fees, and how to communicate with clients. Use the free calculator for material and print cost, then add design and revision time on top.
The 5 Components of a Custom Quote
- Design time — CAD work, modifications, or original modelling
- Prototyping prints — test prints (always charge for these)
- Final print material cost — filament/resin, electricity, post-processing
- Post-processing — sanding, painting, assembly
- Revision allowance — 1–2 rounds included; charge for more
How to Estimate Design Time
Simple modifications (resize, add text, small tweaks): 30 minutes to 1 hour. Moderate custom models (new part from reference, functional adaptation): 2–4 hours. Complex original designs (from scratch, intricate geometry): 5–15+ hours. Get a clear brief from the client — " I need a phone stand with my logo embossed" is very different from "design me a custom enclosure." When in doubt, quote a range and clarify that the final price may adjust if the scope changes.
Pricing Design Time
UK rates: £25–50/hour for design work, depending on complexity and your experience. US: $30–60/hour. Don't undercharge — design is skilled labour. If you're unsure, start at the lower end and raise as you build a portfolio. The Pro calculator lets you add labour as a line item for custom jobs.
Prototyping Cost
Always charge for test prints — at minimum, material cost + 50% time surcharge. Prototyping consumes filament and time; clients who expect free iterations will push for endless tweaks. Quote "up to 2 prototype prints included; additional iterations at cost."
Rush Fee Framework
| Turnaround | Surcharge |
|---|---|
| Standard (5–7 days) | Base price |
| Expedited (2–3 days) | +30% |
| Rush (next day) | +60% |
Adjust based on your capacity and how much the rush disrupts your schedule.
Client Communication
Get a clear brief — what exactly do they want? Reference images, dimensions, and material preferences. Manage revisions — include 1–2 rounds in the quote; charge for additional changes. Deposit policy — for custom work, 50% upfront is standard. It protects you from clients who vanish after you've done the design. Get the deposit before starting CAD or printing.
Example Quote: Custom Phone Stand with Logo
Client wants a phone stand with their logo embossed. Design: 1.5 hours × £35/hr = £52.50. Prototype: 1 test print, 80g PLA, 2h print — material £2, electricity £0.15, time surcharge 50% = £3.23. Final print: 100g PLA, 2.5h, same rates — material £2.50, electricity £0.19, labour 15 min £8.75 = £11.44. Total: £52.50 + £3.23 + £11.44 = £67.17. Round to £70 and add "1–2 minor revisions included." Use the free calculator for the print cost, then add design and prototype on top. See our pricing guide for the full formula.
Related tools & guides
Quote Custom Jobs With Confidence
Add design time, prototyping, and final print cost — the free and Pro calculators handle the rest.