Why basic filament-only pricing fails
Many makers price parts by counting only filament. That is a fast shortcut, but it hides the real cost of operating your printers.
If you want stable margins, include the full production picture: machine runtime, electricity, maintenance, labor, and overhead.
A simple cost model that works
Use one standard formula for every print job: total cost = material + power + maintenance + labor + overhead.
When this model is used consistently, your pricing decisions get easier and your daily report becomes more reliable.
Set your inputs once, then track by file
Start by defining your baseline cost inputs: filament price per kg, printer kW usage, power rate, maintenance per hour, labor per hour, and overhead percentage.
In My3DMonitor, those values are combined with print duration and material usage so you can see cost and profit per filename.
Review and adjust on a schedule
Costs change over time, so review your inputs monthly or when your utility and material pricing changes.
Small updates applied consistently are better than rare large corrections that break pricing confidence.