Despite becoming far more affordable, 3D printing’s costs can still be prohibitive for some users. From hardware to software to materials to creation of the product itself, there are a lot of costs to consider when deciding if 3D printing is right for you. The convenience and freedom of doing it yourself can be great, but what if your project’s original scope exceeds your expectations?
If you’re considering 3D printing your next creation, keep reading to find out whether it makes sense to do it yourself or get some help.
Should You Hire a 3D Printing Company?
There are a number of factors to consider when deciding if a 3D printing company is the right option for you. This mostly depends on your budget, the scale of production you’re aiming for, and the complexity of your project.
For casual printers, a big hurdle is the initial cost of getting started with 3D printing yourself. To start, you’ll need a printer, somewhere to store it, and filament to print with. If you’re printing small items for yourself and without commercial purpose, these startup costs can be a bit prohibitive. However, a small-scale product run completed by a printing company requires no initial hardware investment – just the cost of the job. But, if you’re prototyping regularly and will make use of the materials and printers regularly, the investment may be worthwhile.
You also have to be certain that your choice can handle the scale and complexity of your project. Depending on your budget, it may be too expensive to buy the type of machine or number of machines necessary to create your objects in a time-effective manner, but a well-equipped printing company is likely to have the capacity to handle your desired production run and the high-tech equipment necessary for the best product. However, if you’re printing smaller, simple items with lower quality requirements in small batches, a personal machine may be able to keep up with your needs.
But when in doubt, consult with a professional so that you can be certain your project gets everything it needs to be successful.
