1. Start with a complete batch
Slice the actual quantity you plan to sell. Add the grams and times from all plates in that order. Use the number of sellable items as the quantity.
For different quantities, save a copy and enter newly sliced totals. Do not assume print time or purge waste scale in a straight line.
2. Count each gram once
Each filament can have its own spool price and net filament weight. Separate the model, supports and purge or prime tower. If the slicer total already includes waste, enter that total once and leave the other gram fields at zero.
3. Put a value on your time
Preparation covers the whole order: design, setup, messages and packing work. Finishing is minutes per item. Machine allowance is a cost per print hour, separate from labour and electricity.
One way to estimate machine allowance is (purchase cost − expected resale value + expected repairs) ÷ expected productive print hours. Use assumptions that fit your business.
4. Choose a pricing method
Margin targets profit as a percentage of sales after the costs and fees entered here. Markup targets profit as a percentage of job cost. A 30% markup is not a 30% margin.
Fixed fees are charged once per order, plus any per-item fee. Percentage fees apply to the entire displayed batch selling price.
The exact calculations
- Filament
- Σ (model + support + purge grams) × spool price ÷ net spool grams
- Electricity
- Print hours × average watts ÷ 1,000 × cost per kWh
- Labour
- (Prep minutes + finishing minutes × item count) ÷ 60 × hourly rate
- Contingency
- (Filament + electricity + machine allowance) × buffer percentage
- Margin price
- (Job cost + fixed fees) ÷ (1 − percentage fee rate − target margin)
- Markup price
- [Job cost × (1 + markup) + fixed fees] ÷ (1 − percentage fee rate)
All percentage rates in these formulas are decimals. The unit price rounds up to the next cent, and the batch total is that price × quantity. Internal calculations retain precision; rounded breakdown rows can differ by a cent.
Saving & backups
The current draft saves as you type when browser storage is available. Save job creates a new snapshot. Open or compare snapshots in Saved jobs. Export JSON to back up saved jobs plus the current valid draft. Import adds copies and preserves existing jobs.
A backup can contain customer details. Store and share it accordingly. The cost CSV is a report; use JSON for restoring data.
What this edition covers
Manual FDM batch estimates, editable currency labels, local job storage and customer quotes. It does not import STL/G-code, connect to a printer, convert currencies, calculate tax, track inventory or synchronise devices. Desktop browser use is the primary workflow; local file opening on phones depends on the device and browser.