Contrary to popular belief, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to 3D Printing. This principle also applies to pricing as each material has its own criteria that influence its price. Most 3D printing materials are priced on the basis of a startup cost and the volume of your part. However, for some materials, part surface, orientation, and density also come into play. Below is a list of all possible criteria that can be used to calculate prices:

• Startup Cost: A fixed cost independent from the parameters of your part (EUR/piece).
  
  
• Minimum Price: The minimum price you have to pay per ordered piece. Unlike the startup cost, this cost vanishes when the price is higher than the minimum price (EUR/piece).
  
  
• The box around your model: An imaginary box around your part determines how much space your design will take up in the printer (X x Y x Z = mm³).
  
  
• Model Volume: The volume of your part is used to calculate the material cost (mm³). Please note that selecting the “do not hollow” option may impact the price (more details in the article: Will the density of my model affect the price?)
  
  
• Orientation: The way your part is positioned on the print platform will impact the support generation and therefore the price. Please note that the selecting “keep the part orientation” option may impact the price. (more details in the article: Is the orientation of my model affecting the price?)
  
  
• Density: The ratio of the box surrounding your part to the part volume will influence the price, and for example, will allow price corrections in designs with a low part volume and a large surrounding box (% mm³/mm³).
  
  
• Quantity Discount: If you order two or more copies of a part, the price automatically decreases, mainly because the preparation of multiple copies can be carried out more efficiently. Please note that this price decreases until it reaches the minimum part price. (see above)
  
  
• Required Machine Volume: The volume of your parts and the space around it that your part requires in the build chamber in order to build it successfully.