Desktop vs industrial 3D printers
The biggest price factor is the class of machine. Professional desktop printers such as the Prusa CORE One+ and CORE One L are built for workshops, offices and design studios.
Industrial systems such as the BigRep ONE, PRO and STUDIO print parts up to around one metre in size and are priced accordingly. They are built for production tooling, full-scale prototypes and continuous work.
Build volume
Larger build volumes need bigger frames, stronger motion systems and larger heated chambers, which raises the price. Compare the largest part you need to print in one piece with each model's build volume, rather than buying the biggest machine available.
- Prusa CORE One+: 250 x 220 x 270 mm
- Original Prusa XL: 360 x 360 x 360 mm
- BigRep STUDIO: 1000 x 500 x 500 mm
- BigRep ONE: 1005 x 1005 x 1005 mm
Materials and heated chambers
Printers that handle engineering materials such as PC, PA and PEEK need enclosed, temperature-controlled chambers and higher nozzle temperatures. These features add cost, but they are essential if you print functional or high-temperature parts.
Multi-material printing
Printers with several toolheads, such as the Original Prusa XL with up to five, can print multiple materials or colours in one job. The extra toolheads add to the price, so only pay for them if your parts need them.
Running costs to plan for
The purchase price is only part of the total cost. Budget for:
- Filament or resin
- Spare nozzles and other wear parts
- Electricity and workspace
- Operator time and training
Buying a printer vs using a 3D printing service
If you only need parts occasionally, a 3D printing service can cost less than owning a printer. If you print every week, owning a machine usually pays off. 3Dit offers both, so you can start with the service and buy a printer when your volume grows.