Materials & Pricing
Choose for the job—not the alphabet soup.
Where will the part live? What heat, sunlight, moisture, impact, weight, or movement will it face?
PLA
Broad color range. Great for gifts, models, signs, organizers, and everyday indoor prints.
PETG
Tougher and more weather-tolerant. Used for Mesh3D Up replacement mailbox doors.
Specialty
Silk, marble, glow, translucent, multicolor, flexible, and project-specific choices.
Material comparison
| Material | Best starting uses | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | Indoor decor, gifts, models, signs, organizers, and ordinary household prints | Easy to print with the broadest color selection, but not the first choice for hot vehicles or long-term outdoor exposure |
| PETG | Outdoor parts, brackets, replacements, and projects needing more toughness | More heat- and weather-tolerant than PLA, though it can show more stringing and surface variation |
| Specialty PLA/PETG | Silk, marble, glow, translucent, multicolor, and visual effects | The look may matter more than maximum strength; availability changes |
| Other materials | Flexible or project-specific needs | Quoted only after checking printer compatibility and the actual use |
How printing prices are built
The final price can include material, machine time, setup, supports, failed-print risk, cleanup, labor, hardware, assembly, design work, packaging, and shipping. That is why two parts with the same weight can have different prices.
Starting point
Custom printing generally starts at $5 per part or around $0.40 per gram. This is a starting guide rather than an automatic calculator. Large quantities, simple repeat parts, or unusual jobs are quoted based on the complete project.
Choosing the right material
The most useful information is where the part will live and what it must handle: sunlight, moisture, heat, impact, weight, flexing, chemicals, or appearance. A material recommendation is based on those conditions rather than simply choosing the strongest-sounding option.
Colors and stock
PLA is available in the widest range of colors. PETG and specialty materials have a smaller rotating selection. When you need a specific shade or effect, request it with the quote; material can often be ordered for the project.