How can you calculate your hourly rate as a 3D printing freelancer?

It will be based on the equipment price, printing materials, labor costs, power consumption , and amortization. The power consumption then involves how long it takes to print parts. One important thing is how you can post process the printed parts. After that, you can go to the next step: profit.

Programs like Excel allow fast, plug and play action once you have a document setup with all these variables and calculations. This can also be used to generate invoices for the customers.

Calculating your hourly rate starts with considering both direct and indirect costs. Direct costs involve 3D printing expenses like materials, electricity, maintenance, and consumables. Indirect costs encompass broader business operations like rent, taxes, software, marketing, and insurance. To estimate costs, track expenses and divide by your monthly working hours. This provides a comprehensive understanding of your financial outlay, enabling you to set an informed hourly rate that covers both direct production costs and broader business overheads.

Insbesondere eine ehrlich und selbstkritische Betrachtung der Kosten ist von entscheidender Bedeutung. Es ist verlockend, sich, wenn vorhanden, an der Preisgestaltung der Wettbewerber zu orientieren, man sollte sich aber immer darüber im Klaren sein, ob man zu diesen Konditionen auch wirtschaftlich arbeiten kann. Besonders Aufwände für Wartung, sowie Rüst- und Arbeitszeiten in der Datenaufbereitung werden gerne vergessen, ignoriert oder stark optimistisch geschätzt.

O que me ajudou a ter uma ideia inicial e avaliar se o que eu estava cobrando era adequado foi dividir o salario que eu gostaria de receber pelas horas trabalhadas mensais. Em se tratando de impressao 3d, deve-se considerar alem disso os custos fixos (energia, depreciação e etc), aos custos variáveis (material e etc). A lógica de calculo de valor da hora mencionada acima, deve ser aplicada para os valores de modelagem, fatiamento e operacao da impressão acrescido dos custos.

Para quem inicia, vamos pelo básico: some os custos dos materiais e a depreciação da impressora ao longo do tempo de serviço. Depois, pense no tempo que leva para imprimir e no custo da sua mão de obra. Não esqueça das despesas extras, como eletricidade, internet, ferramentas e manutenção (peças de reposição, filamentos extras). Digamos que o custo dos materiais para imprimir algo seja uns 20 reais por peça, e você calcule 2 horas de trabalho a 50 reais por hora. Some uns 30 reais para eletricidade, manutenção e afins. Se o mercado cobra uns 100 reais por algo similar, talvez você queira cobrar uns 150 reais para ter uma boa margem de lucro, levando em conta seus custos e esforço.

I'd like to highlight the importance of striking a balance between setting a reasonable profit margin and remaining competitive in the 3D printing market. While it's essential to determine the amount of money you want to earn on top of your costs, it's equally crucial to be mindful of market trends and pricing structures. Assessing the pricing strategies of competitors and understanding the perceived value of your services within the industry can guide you in setting a profit margin that is both fair to you and attractive to potential clients. This approach ensures that you remain competitive in the market while achieving your financial goals.

Furthermore, profits regarding expertise could be added, I.e hours of 3d modelling if applicable and any technical input added to the prints. Experimental prints or exotic materials might need more expertise, hence you could consider a bigger profit when doing jobs of these natures.

Determine the level of profit you aim to achieve from your freelance 3D printing work. Your profit margin should cover not only your business expenses but also provide you with a reasonable income. Consider factors such as your desired annual income, taxes, and savings goals. For example, if you aim to earn an annual income of $60,000 and allocate 20% of your revenue to profit, your hourly profit margin would be $12 ($60,000 divided by 2,080 hours per year).

Alem de ter como referencia o valor praticado em seu mercado, deve-se considerar também o chamado custo de oportunidade daquele serviço.

Der Markt in Ihrem Bereich bezieht sich auf die Nachfrage und das Angebot von 3D-Druckdienstleistungen innerhalb: ▪︎ Ihrer spezifischen Nische, ▪︎ Ihrem Standort ▪︎ und der Industrie. Dieser Faktor beeinflusst die Preise, die Kunden bereit sind, für Ihre Dienstleistungen zu zahlen. Um Ihren Markt zu bewerten, ist es wichtig, die Durchschnittspreise anderer unabhängiger 3D-Druckexperten mit vergleichbaren Fähigkeiten und Erfahrungen zu recherchieren. Online-Plattformen, Foren oder Netzwerke können hilfreiche Ressourcen sein, um herauszufinden, welche Preise andere Fachleute festlegen und wie sich ihre Angebote unterscheiden.

I want to underscore the importance of adapting your hourly rate to the dynamics of your specific market. Researching and understanding the demand and supply of 3D printing services in your niche, location, and industry is crucial for setting a competitive rate. While assessing average rates of other freelancers is a valuable reference point, it's equally essential to consider the unique value you bring to the table. Differentiate yourself by highlighting specialized skills, exceptional quality, or unique offerings that resonate with your target clients. By aligning your hourly rate with the market while showcasing your distinct strengths, you position yourself for success in a competitive 3D printing landscape.

As in any other market study you also would need to find what is that would make a client choose your services above your competitors. What is the added value that you can offer?

Research the prevailing market rates for 3D printing services in your region or industry. Factors such as your level of expertise, the complexity of projects, and the demand for your services can influence your pricing strategy. Look at what other freelancers or 3D printing service providers are charging for similar projects and adjust your rates accordingly. For instance, if the average market rate for 3D printing services in your area is $50 per hour, you may use this as a benchmark when determining your own hourly rate.

Start with your desired annual income, factoring in expenses like equipment, materials, software, and utilities. Estimate the number of billable hours per week, accounting for non-billable tasks. Include self-employment taxes and insurance costs. Divide your total annual expenses by billable hours to determine the minimum hourly rate needed. Then, research industry standards and competitors to ensure your rate aligns with market expectations. Adjust based on your expertise, unique services, and client demands for a competitive yet profitable rate.

Ihr Wert in diesem Bereich bezieht sich auf den einzigartigen Nutzen und den positiven Einfluss, den Sie Ihren Kunden durch Ihre 3D-Druckdienstleistungen bieten. Dies spiegelt sich in: ▪︎Ihren Fähigkeiten ▪︎Ihrem Fachwissen ▪︎Ihrem Ruf ▪︎und Ihrem Portfolio wieder. Um den Wert zu bestimmen, ist es wichtig, zu vermitteln wie Sie Probleme lösen, innovative Lösungen oder einen zusätzlichen Mehrwert für die Projekte Ihrer Kunden schaffen. Dabei können Erfahrungsberichte, Fallstudien oder Kundenbewertungen genutzt werden, um Ihre herausragenden Leistungen und Ergebnisse zu präsentieren. Falls Sie beispielsweise hochwertige 3D-Drucke termingerecht und innerhalb des Budgets geliefert haben, können Sie einen Preis über dem Durchschnitt verlangen.

Value>everything else, Value=solved pain. The part you make might be very large, small, a simple prism, or a complex geometry. All that matters is the problem that it's solving: didn't exist before, saves time, is reliable, has more options, or is adaptable. Highlighting the benefits rather than the features. Also, the 3D printing process itself is simple because it is been mostly done by machine but the prior engineering over the design is more crucial. Tailor your offer and guide them to perceive the value. Imagine you helping NASA prototype a part for an aircraft and they saved a lot of resources out of that so you should be getting what you provided in proportion to the pain solved. Never devalue yourself and always deliver the best.

In 3D printing, like any other industry your value depends on how unique your service offerings are while there are industry average rates which basically serve as a benchmark. Generally in case of 3D printing the attributes to master are: - Faster turn around - Printing Quality - Wide range of Materials - DfAM service - Post Processing Capability If one can demonstrate a sustained excellence in all these areas they can command hourly rates well above the market norms. Getting customer testimonials, presenting case studies can help boost the value of 3D printing services.

I've found that emphasizing your value is a key factor in determining your hourly rate. Your value encompasses the unique benefits and impact you bring to clients through your skills, expertise, reputation, and portfolio. When estimating your value, effectively communicate how you solve problems, create solutions, and add significant value to your clients' projects. Utilize testimonials, case studies, or reviews to showcase your proven track record of delivering high-quality 3D prints on time and within budget. By highlighting your achievements, you not only differentiate yourself from the competition but also position yourself to command a higher rate that reflects the exceptional value you provide to your clients.

Here I want to stress the significance of Staying updated on the latest technologies, materials, and industry trends enhances your expertise and allows you to offer cutting-edge solutions to your clients. Dedicate time to continuous learning, attend relevant workshops or conferences, and explore new techniques. This commitment not only adds to your skill set but also positions you as a forward-thinking professional in the ever-evolving field of 3D printing. Additionally, cultivating a strong network within the 3D printing community can open up collaboration opportunities, provide valuable insights, and contribute to your overall success in the industry.

Nunca deve-se esquecer de adicionar os impostos no valor final do produto. Em pequena escala pode ser que nao seja algo tao consideravel, mas ainda assim, tem de ser adicionado ao valor total.

I have found that you need a large calculator to factor in all of the detail when freelance 3d printing. It s relatively easy to charge for CAD time, that is simple, set an hourly rate that you're comfortable with. When it comes to the printing, you have to factor in machine depreciation, electricity, consumables usage, material usage, time for prints, unplanned failure costs for both time and materials. I have a nice spreadsheet that calculates all of this for me and all I have to do is choose the machine, the material, and input how much time I spent doing print prep and it spits out how much I should charge and even factors in shipping costs.

Here is a hot take, don't. Don't charge per hour. Charge per project and provide the expected number of hours that it will take to complete the project. Charging per hour quite often punishes efficient professionals for being too efficient. Make sure that your quote is within the market price. If another artist did it in 50h and charged 1000 for it, you should also charge 1000 for it, even if it only takes you 35h. Artist charge for the outcome, not the time to paint. On the other hand, it's really important to think of future opportunities with key stakeholders. Sometimes, you will charge less than 1000, as per the example above, to retain a customer for future opportunities. Always remember to not devaluate yourself.