Cost per gram sounds simple. It isn’t. That $0.10/gram FDM quote and $0.80/gram SLS quote aren’t playing the same game. You need to know what hides inside that gram.
FDM plastic runs cheap—$0.05 to $0.15 per gram for PLA or ABS—because machines are simple and material is bulk. But watch out. Supports add 30% extra weight you still pay for. Failed prints? Often on your tab. SLA resin jumps to $0.40–$1.20 per gram, yet it captures hair-thin details FDM misses. SLS nylon lands at $0.50–$2.00 but needs zero supports and delivers snap-fit strength. Metal printing? Brace for $5–$15 per gram. The real trick: ask your vendor what that gram includes. Raw material only? Machine time? Post-curing? Support removal? A “cheap” gram that needs six hours of hand-finishing kills your budget faster than an honest upfront rate. Always demand itemized breakdowns. Compare total landed cost per usable part, not just the raw weight on the scale.
Smart buyers think in cost per functional part, not cost per gram. The gram is just the starting line.
FAQ
Q: Why do two vendors charge wildly different per-gram rates for the same material?
A: Machine depreciation, labor costs, and failure rates vary. A $200,000 industrial printer and a $500 desktop kit both print PLA, but quality, speed, and reliability aren’t close. Ask about layer height, tolerance guarantees, and batch consistency.
Q: Should I always pick the lowest per-gram rate?
A: Rarely. A $0.08/gram FDM quote for a complex medical prototype may fail 40% of the time. A $0.60/gram SLA job with 99% success rate costs less per good part. Do the math on yield, not just material.
Q: Does “per gram” include support material?
A: Sometimes. Always clarify. FDM supports often count toward billable weight. SLA and SLS supports may or may not, depending on vendor policy. Get it in writing.
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