3D Printer Depreciation: How to Calculate Machine Cost Per Print

Your Printer Is a Depreciating Asset

A €600 printer that lasts 5000 hours costs €0.12 per hour in depreciation. Ignore this, and you're subsidizing every print you sell from your own pocket.

The Simple Formula

Depreciation per hour = Printer cost / Expected lifetime hours

Depreciation per print = Depreciation per hour × Print time in hours

Estimating Printer Lifespan

• Budget printers (Ender 3): 2000-3000 hours with regular maintenance
• Mid-range (Prusa, Bambu P1S): 4000-6000 hours
• Professional (Bambu X1C, Voron): 5000-8000 hours

These assume regular maintenance including belt replacements, nozzle changes, and bearing lubrication.

Don't Forget Consumables

Beyond the printer itself, add the cost of regular replacements:

• Nozzles: €5-15 every 500-1000 hours
• Build plates: €15-40 every 1000-2000 hours
• Belts: €10-20 every 2000-3000 hours
• Hotend assemblies: €20-50 every 2000-4000 hours

Real-World Example

Bambu Lab P1S (€600), expected 5000 hours, €100/year in consumables:

• Depreciation: €0.12/hour
• Consumables: ~€0.05/hour
• Total machine cost: €0.17/hour

A 3-hour print costs €0.51 in machine wear alone. Add that to your pricing.

Our calculator includes depreciation automatically. Just enter your printer cost and expected lifespan.