Blog
Pricing, materials, energy and the realities of running a 3D print shop. Short reads that pair with the calculator.
September 14, 2026
NewsCreality SPARKX i8 launches Sept 21 — the QuarTeks low-waste math
Creality SPARKX i8 price ($399, $289 early bird), Sept 21 Indiegogo launch and QuarTeks 4-color specs — plus the real purge-waste savings. Sept 2026.
September 08, 2026
NewsAnycubic Kobra X — is $299 native multicolor worth it?
The Anycubic Kobra X does native 4-color at $299. We run the real multicolor cost math — purge waste, cost per part, and how it stacks up vs the Bambu A1.
September 08, 2026
Purge vs tool-changer — which multicolor system pays off by volume?
Purge-based multicolor (AMS, ACE) is cheaper upfront but wastes filament; tool-changers cost more but purge nothing. Here's the break-even math by volume.
June 05, 2026
NewsBambu Lab A2L announced — the giant bedslinger at $469
Bambu Lab announced the A2L; the A1 stretched to H2C build volume (330×320×325 mm) but open-frame, at $469. Cost analysis and positioning vs the A1 and H2C.
June 02, 2026
NewsCreality K3 with KliTek announced — the nozzle-changing cost analysis
Creality K3 price, release date and KliTek nozzle-changing specs — plus the real filament-cost math vs AMS. Updated October 2026.
May 30, 2026
How to choose your first 3D printer in 2026
Practical buyer's guide for 3D printers — pick by budget and the parts you actually want to print. The expensive mistakes beginners make, and how to avoid them.
May 29, 2026
How to price 3D-printed parts for sale
From raw material to the right markup — a direct guide for makers selling 3D prints who want to stop charging less than they should.
May 26, 2026
How to choose the right 3D printing filament by application
Practical guide to picking filament by application — decorative, functional, outdoor, food-safe, flexible. When each material makes sense and when to skip it.
May 23, 2026
3D printing failure rate — what's normal and how to reduce it
How much failure is normal on a 3D printer, how to measure it, the top causes and how to bring it down. Pricing without failure means selling at a loss.
May 22, 2026
Markup for 3D printing — how much above cost should you charge?
2×, 3×, 4×? How to pick the right markup for your 3D-printed parts so you're neither overpriced nor working for free.
May 15, 2026
PLA vs PETG vs ABS — which one should you sell?
Practical comparison of the three most common filaments: properties, cost, print difficulty and when each one makes business sense.
May 08, 2026
How much does one hour of running a 3D printer cost?
The exact electricity math per hour of printing — by printer model, by state, and by material. With real numbers.
May 01, 2026
How to sell 3D-printed parts on Etsy, eBay and Amazon Handmade
Fees, shipping, taxes and how to price right on each platform without zeroing out your margin. Side-by-side with real numbers.