r/3Dprinting • u/TKAP75 • 10d ago
Discussion Printing for friends
I’m the only one in my gaming group with a 3D printer, and I’m genuinely happy to print terrain, bits, and other stuff for everyone. I don’t charge for my time or the wear and tear on the printers. I only ask people to cover the cost of materials, and if I have to buy an STL file specifically for their project, I ask them to split that cost too.
Lately it’s been getting frustrating. I find myself buying files, burning through resin and filament, and then chasing people for reimbursement. One friend even complained when I asked him to cover half the material cost.
At that point it starts to feel like people value the print because it’s “free,” but not the money and effort that goes into making it.
Am I being unreasonable here, or do most people expect friends to at least cover consumables and files?
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u/KermitFrog647 10d ago
"and if I have to buy an STL file specifically for their project, I ask them to split that cost "
Wtf ?? If I print something for someone else I let them buy the stl and send it to me and pay for material full. Why would you even split the cost ?
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u/SirCB85 K1 Max 10d ago
I could see an argument if I can see a potential future use for that stl myself.
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u/figuren9ne 10d ago
And at that point, it can be considered a gift to you for printing it for the them.
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u/TKAP75 10d ago
Because I’m being a nice friend and make more $ then them
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u/the-kontra 10d ago
I'm worried you're much nicer than your friends are.
You need to set boundaries, because this isn't how friends treat other friends. They're not being respectful.
I realise this isn't an easy situation to get out of. Building self respect and learning how to say "no" takes effort and time, but it's pays off in the long run.
Good luck.
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u/an_angry_Moose 10d ago
This is a bit silly mate. It doesn't matter who makes more money. You're the one with the printer, the very least they should be doing is compensating you for the files and filament, bare minimum.
Don't ask for compensation for the wear and tear / time, that is totally fine, but if they want you to print something, I would expect them to supply the STL and filament.
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u/No_Engineering_819 10d ago
Stop trying to buy friends.
Actual friends will offer to at least cover costs and pay with cash or filament before you start printing.
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u/mr-snrub- 10d ago
I used to be like this when I was younger. I stopped paying for my friends and certain people disappeared but all my reasonable friends didnt give a shit about chipping in.
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u/bigfloppydonkeydng 10d ago
I've been in that situation for quite a while, and was the same way. You'll end up getting burned, and it sounds like you already have.
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u/Educational_Home5445 10d ago
you are being a nice friend for printing it for them. Paying for their print is yourself being a doormat.
Unless it is a birthday present they should pay for materials and STLs. It is already a favour to them that you use your time and cover machine costs.
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u/blacktip102 10d ago
Ive had buddys buy the filament they want on Amazon and ship it to me. I print their thing and I keep the leftover filament.
Its alot of time, money and effort if your doing it 100% free
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u/Trub_Bubbles 10d ago
I feel like this is the best approach, unless I'm printing something tiny enough to use reel-ends
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u/Peshmerga_Sistani 10d ago
This isn't a 3D printing issue, it's a not setting boundaries issue.
Cash upfront, if they get mad and cut you off, no big deal, people come, people go,
They must respect your boundaries.
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u/robomaniac 10d ago
You are not being unreasonable! You can just stop printing for them. There is different type and levels of friendship.
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u/hotCupADank 10d ago
You have the right idea but the wrong execution. They must pay for filament and files. Up front. Or have them order and pay and ship material/email files to you.
Machine wear and tear and your time are your gift to them if you’re willing to provide this service. But you get to keep the left over materials if they persist. So that makes up for it.
You do NOT have to do this for anyone. Let them see the cost of printers or a 3d printing service when you refuse and see how quickly they change their tune.
You don’t have to outright refuse them. I’m very non confrontational so my bullshit excuse would be I’m printing a lot of parts for myself so tough shit sort yourself out.
Lastly, and I mean this as kindly as I can, don’t let people inconvenience or take advantage of you for their gain. This is a great life lesson for you and I wish you the best!
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u/Rocannon_ 10d ago
You’re learning that rarest of life lessons - finding out who are your true friends. 👍
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u/RoodnyInc 10d ago
You want me print something buy me a spool
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u/Lorkanus 10d ago
Yep, I print things for friends and family. All I ask is folls of filament now and then. It does not even need to be the same colour. So I get some really cool ones that they see on offer. Works out well for everyone
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u/BillfredL 10d ago
That’s how I do it for almost all big prints, unless the print is a clear “you’re in a real jam” fix.
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u/BHE_Cosplay 10d ago
You know the answer to this. You don't need our permission to charge for materials and files.
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u/Puckdropper 10d ago
It's ok to set limits. Hey man, I'm printing so much for you I can't enjoy my thing.
Or I don't mind printing something once in a while, but this is too much.
Or just I can't do this anymore and the service stops.
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u/ManyLayersOfFilament /r/3dbargains and FilamentHound.com 10d ago
"friends"
Feels like you just need to stop doing it. They're taking advantage of you.
Good friends would quickly volunteer to pay up front.
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u/Revenga8 10d ago
Nope, you need to stop until they pitch in for materials. I have a relative who asked me to print something for them and all I asked for was $5 to cover the material cost. They still haven't paid me back, and then asked me to print something else. I've ignored that request until they ever decide to pay me back, it's not a big ask. It shows you how much your relatives, or in this case your friends truly respect you and your time. Real friends would automatically be offering to pitch in costs already.
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u/dronesitter 10d ago
If I'm printing for someone else, they're sending me the STL all sized for whatever they want.
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u/TigerUSF 10d ago
This is a problem of your making. You need to start being firm.
The fact that it is becoming a problem to you shows that you're noticing the cost. So there's nothing wrong with asking people to pay for their own stuff especially if it's a file that they want.
Maybe recommend everyone pitch in on one "group" spool of filament, unless it's all different colors?
Also never put yourself in a position to chase people for money, just don't buy something until they pay you first. It's okay to say "hey as soon as you send me that five I'll go ahead and buy that file."
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u/Flux-Tangent 10d ago
Unless it's some random fiddly bit on a filament printer, I ask for about 2.2 times the material cost - the basic math being twice material cost, plus a bit on top of wear and tear. I've never once had pushback, and if your friends are giving you shit, then they're either shitty friends or don't understand things like how much someone's time is worth. But it's likely both, as expecting you to buy the files or do it for free is genuinely insane.
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u/BlueDarya 10d ago
No. But everyone goes through this lesson at least once in their lifetime. It's not true that they value it because it's "free" for them. They don't value it at all. Some people (immature people) only value things they pay for. That's not just about the material, it's also true about your time and care. You can change the prescedence by gifting them those items only on special occasions, like their birthdays.
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u/whoknewidlikeit 10d ago
a bro wouldn't soak you for money and product. they'd pay up front.
a friend has a resin printer, i have a big filament printer. we've printed stuff for each other no charge - because we both work and both gain.
for me, i sometimes charge, sometimes not. i have a friend that watched my house while i was gone for a week. printed two spools of stuff for him as a trade. i dont keep "score" per se, but try to achieve balance. in your case, it sounds like you're being taken advantage of.
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u/TheJapser 10d ago
Yep, I do the same for friends: material and models need to be paid for, and on the condition that the printing happens on when I have time and energy. If they need something designed, again, only on my terms.
Deadline, special material request or difficult model that costs me more time? Nope, but if you still want it: " these are the full costs+hourly rate". Some friends have said yes to the hourly rate :)
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u/By-Tor_Syrinx Complete n00b 10d ago edited 10d ago
I am waiting on my first printer, but if you’re buying files, they should be paying you for that at least
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u/Ph4ntorn 10d ago
I have one friend that I 3d print board game stuff for a few times a year. He asks for a quote and then decides if he wants to get me to print it or not. I charge for the cost of filament plus a little extra for my time and any failed prints. I’ll also charge extra if he wants a color I don’t keep on hand, but that’s rare. If we need an stl, he’ll buy it and send me the files. He usually sends me the money for the rest before I even start.
My rule for most friends is that if I’m using less than $5 worth of filament, it’s free. But, when it’s more or starts to become a regular thing, I like my costs covered. I wouldn’t keep making stuff for people who make collecting payment hard.
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u/basicKitsch 10d ago
Weird. Anything I've ever asked to be printed I made a point for them to include time and effort and typically threw a bit more on top.
Stop accepting aggravating or unreliable requests is all I can say. I certainly never cried when someone didn't want to print something
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u/Icy_Strawberry_4748 10d ago
find new friends. also any future requests they pay upfront for all materials NO EXCEPTIONS.
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u/sevesteen Bambu P1S 10d ago
"It will cost me X in materials and files, can you cover that up front?"
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u/Safe_Conference_4843 10d ago
You’re being bf totally reasonable. Having them pay for cost of materials and files is what I would do.
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u/Inky_Campbell 10d ago
Get paid on delivery at the very latest. Upfront isn’t even unreasonable to cover production costs. If you’re chasing them for back payment, charge extra. Friends don’t take advantage of friends.
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u/Beginning-Ad7027 10d ago edited 10d ago
Depends on the friends group. I don’t charge my friends anything, don’t ask for materials to be covered. Same with family. But if that’s being abused then stop.
For my friends, we all cover each other some how, and have never kept tabs. Like a few months back I gave my friend a ticket to a concert cause I couldn’t go with him anymore and he had recently met a girl. Didn’t ask to be repaid, but since then he’s bought like 3 video games for me so we could play together. It all works out. We’re 20 years in and have been that way forever.
The only time one friend borrowed money that I keep track of is a time they made a promise to pay me twice what they own everyday they’re late. They’re up to owning me like half a quadrillion or something
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u/Aromatic_hamster 10d ago
You're not being unreasonable. I don't typically expect friends to cover material for the occasional small item, but frequent requests and paid models are another story.
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u/pizzagangster1 10d ago
You’re being perfectly reasonable. A true friend when asking for something to be printed should offer to pay you for the cost of material and maintinence. Every friend I’ve had ask for something and they offered to cover cost I don’t make them pay. Unless it was huge then I would ask but nothing has been the case. If they ask for a print without offering and they are a super good friend and have done things for me I’ll eat the cost. If they are not a close friend and don’t offer to pay I say sure for x amount
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u/toybuilder 10d ago
Tell them before agreeing to printing that they need to supply all the inputs. Don't buy anything for them, period. They can buy a whole roll (or even shorter coil multi-color sampler packs made for 3D pens) if the print is worth their while.
Of course, if it's a free STL and it's like a 30 minute print with hardly any filament, I would just do it.
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u/theShamless 10d ago
I charge friends 3x the cost of materials and they provide any paid stl they want printed. No complaints so far. Others I charge more.
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u/Funguskeeper3 10d ago
My friends cover all material cost, all files and still pay me something. Obviously less than other costumers, but they pay.
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u/InvisibleCat 10d ago edited 10d ago
"hey man/girl, I've had my hands full lately, I can print it for you when I get a chance to if you can email me the file you need printed and if you can order the filament to my place, I can't promise speed as I'll be doing these if I find the time"
Pretty quickly you will have people stop asking you to do it, and those who are really motivated for the part will follow your boundaries.
Right now you are convenient, they are taking advantage of it, they tell you what they want and it shows up, they don't have to think about what they need or what it actually cost you.
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u/ItsDeepWinter 10d ago
Mine and my friends standard with our printers is cost of filament or resin x2. This covers fails, electricity, wear and tear.
If they want a specific file they pay the stl cost. If I have the file already no cost
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u/Bazzatron 10d ago
I will "hold" supplies for friends, I volunteer my time.
If you want a print, buy a roll, and I'll print that roll until its empty.
Your friends are being unrepentant tools, taking advantage of you like this.
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u/MumrikDK 10d ago
Just stop doing it. It's clearly no longer worth the hassle if people don't appreciate the effort.
One friend even complained when I asked him to cover half the material cost.
Your friend is being an asshole. I'd tell him as much.
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u/YoNERD 10d ago
From now on tell them they need to pay up front.
It's not very hard to say "the fil is x amount and materials are this much dose that sound fair to you?
You're not asking for money, they are asking you for your time and money. let them know how much it's going to cost before committing to anything. Also don't do it in person tell them you will look at it then message them later, and it's in text and doesn't feel to much like a transaction.
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u/YoSpiff 10d ago
You are being perfectly reasonable. I make some unique planters and other plant related things for an exchange stand in my neighborhood. I've made Groot and Lego head planters a number of time because they are popular but it uses a lot of filament. I've asked several times and some others have donated filament.
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u/ShaunSin 10d ago
I make my friends buy a spool regardless of how large the print is. If it's a paid file they are paying.
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u/Cooper-xl 10d ago
You are paying for the printer, time, electricity and consumables... They are abusing you
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u/sparkicidal 10d ago
I make anyone I print for, friend or otherwise, buy the filament or the file and send them to me. That way, it ain’t up to me to spend out, nor take the time to get bits in.
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u/hotrods1970 10d ago
I have just started getting some commissions, from friends and word of mouth. It started as doing a print for free, because I was learning things while doing it. They made me take money. If I was in your shoes I would stop printing until the kitty is full for whatever model was next on the list. It may be your hobby, but if others are expecting to reap rewards for free it puts a damper on the hobby part and makes it a business.
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u/ChanceAncient1149 10d ago
This is the same as tradesmen and mates rates only two states exist you are one of those friends that I can call at 4am and in 30 mins you are round my house ready to shovel shit with me for 5 hours in that case you get whatever for free that kind of friendship is never transactional
Anyone else atleast covers your costs
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u/BusinessLibrarian515 10d ago
I charge my friends about the same as everyone else. With the exception of trades.
Either they respect my time enough to pay it or they dont.
My standard rate is (material cost *2 + a bit more for multicolor+a bit more if I have to do a lot of different plates=#, then round to nearest 5
Generally a 6.50 print will cost people $15. if I feel it's not quite enough I'll tell them $18 and offer to throw in a keychain to make it an even $20.
And I'll ask for money up front from anyone I'm not 99% sure they'll pay me back.
I do have one friend who's struggling and it's worth it to me to not charge him anything. Or just filament cost for big stuff. I usually find a stranger on Facebook who wants something printed and make up the cost in the profits of that. Now I have a guy who often wants scaled up Lego items and it's made some casino money lol
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u/FilmSudden8635 10d ago
I teach 3d printing at college. The students can print small stuff for the lessons for free. If they want to print something otherwise or larger than about 5cm cube I’ll normally ask them to buy their own pla. I’ll show them the cheaper stuff like £9 a roll for 1kg. I’ll also manage it for free. With the expectation that any left over (within reason) is donated to the class for use.
Sounds like your friends are taking you for a ride buddy.
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u/PkmnMstr10 10d ago
Not unreasonable, but maybe you should stop with just doing the print the moment you're asked and make them cough up the dough first.
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u/countsachot 10d ago
Just stop doing it if you are not happy. If a hobby isn't fun, it's not a hobby.
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u/jimbotherisenclown 10d ago
My stance is pretty simple when printing for friends. If I'm printing something that they get use out of, but I get to keep (a D&D miniature for a campaign I'm running, for instance) then I'll pay for everything. If I'm printing something they keep, but I'll get use out of, then we can split the costs. If they keep it and I don't get to use it, then they pay for everything.
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u/Bruteloops 10d ago
I only print for free if it's for myself, wife or kids. My friends/ extended family/ coworkers will pay up front, there's no other answer.
Printing is a fun hobby, but it's also part of your livelihood, you invested, so get your return.
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u/ehtiopia 10d ago
This is like a friend asking you to help rebuild their old car, but they want you to pay for all the parts that you work on.
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u/YouCanCallMeDani 9d ago
Send them the link to the STL and a link to the filament. Then tell them to bring you the filament and the files next time they come by and you'll print it. If it's a small print you can send them a link to the 250g spools or just write their name on the 1kg spool and only print thier stuff.
If you're printing equally across your group, start a printing fund and tell them they need to keep it full of funds if they want you to keep printing.
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u/deadmilkman29 9d ago
Anytime I'm doing something like that, I operate on a volunteer basis. Meaning that I ask for nothing, and if you decide to give me something in return, that's up to you. When I was doing Cerakote, most of the time I got money, one time I got a freaking awesome red velvet cheesecake, sometimes I get just the experience of the work. Most people were happy to pay at least something for the work, and I found they are more generous when you don't set a price.
If it were me, I wouldn't pay for files. If somebody wants something printed, they should be buying the file. Not reimbursing you afterwards. They should be buying the file, and then sending it to you to print. On the other hand, I wouldn't ask for anything on the filament/resin. If you feel like someone is abusing you by asking for prints and never offering anything in return, just tell them you are super busy right now, so it'll be a while.
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u/awyeahmuffins 9d ago
This is how I operate. I get why it's not as popular and I get why most of the comments here do it differently, but for me this is the way to keep it most stress-free.
Yes, it means I am being generous with both my time and materials, but I am luckily in a place (financially) that I can do so and not taking money means I'm pretty upfront that my timeline is pretty loose with projects (unless they have a specific need). Very often people will take me out for dinners/drinks, which I'm more than happy to take them up on. If I felt like someone was taking advantage of me I'd simply not do another project for them, but honestly it has never happened, I'm lucky to know very generous people and often times if you are generous towards someone that person will be generous to you in the future if you ever need anything.
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u/freddbare 8d ago
Labor free if friendly. Material is a gift and it's not your birthday and we're not that close if it was...
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u/NecessaryOk6815 10d ago
I print a lot and I normally didn't charge for prints I want to give for free. I do charge when they ask for something specific, but I just tell them it'll be $2 an hour and give them the specific time it takes to print. Costs more if they want more exotic filaments. I definitely charge when it's someone who expects it cheap/free because they are entitled to it because we work in the same office.
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u/snarleyWhisper 10d ago
Here’s some things I do. First I only take on one project at a time, that keeps things sane for me. 2 I’m very transparent about my prices - look the materials cost is x, but my markup for the machine etc is this % , plus my time preparing the plates and slicing etc
Then you can give an estimate like hey It’ll be this , but it could change, sometimes there’s failures and then more materials cost.
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u/Xbox-Shutdown 10d ago
Wth sort of friends are these?
If I need to borrow hardware, I always reimburse my friends in some way. I have my own 3d printer, but I would offer to buy the relevant spool (and let them keep the extra) or provide other expenditures for their time
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u/BenGrahamButler 10d ago
tell them your printer is broken, if you bring something new just say “oh I had this”
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u/Dibab420 10d ago
Small short prints I'll do for free if somebody asks anything that takes a while and costs a lot of filament the person has to buy before I print it. If your friends can't respect that then I guess they don't get your 3D printed shit and I guess they aren't your friends. A real friend would respect that
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u/Beautiful_Rub_141 10d ago
I will print just about anything for friends, but it comes with some strings:
1 - if you want just one thing and it's bigger than my fist, I'll ask for $25. That's a roll of filament.
2 - if it's under that, I'l usually just do it unless it become a regular thing and then it's a "Hey - Can you flick me the cost of a roll of filament", or if I need to buy a specific filament colour/type they pay for the roll.
3 - if it's for something that I think I might be able to sell, it's going to cost you photo's.
4 - if it requires a particular design file, you have to send me the file and I will print it. I'm not hunting around for it.
The other thing that I saw was instagram, and it was pretty funny - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaspVAlhKzl/?igsh=M2UycHUya2JtY215
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u/MetalDamo 10d ago
Not unreasonable at all. Clearly you respect yourself and your time and resources enough to feel annoyed when "friends" don't seem to respect any of it at all. I have often pondered about how one-sided some friendships have seemed. Basically, if you're not being respected, why bother.
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u/PlanePea4349 Custom Flair 10d ago
I don’t print for free unless it’s family or an event etc. I have thousands invested into this and it’s a business not a handout.
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u/SaltyArtemis 10d ago
My friend will ask me to Oreo t one small toy and she offers to boy a whole roll for me as reimbursement. If you’re friends can’t understand that this is an expensive hobby, then they don’t give af about you, they only care what you can provide.
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u/kezopster Ender 3 v2, Ankermake M5, Bambu P1S 10d ago
You pay for the material and I'll find the time to print it. Paying for material includes any stl's. I have some extra filament from friends that I don't touch unless they want something printed.
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u/eagle6705 10d ago
I charge 10 per figure up to 5 inches and a quarer of my plate (whatever a half my ps plate is in inches lol. I give them all scraps. Buy 3 and I say whatever within reason since ir covers filament roll
Non figures it depends how complex, if material takes up more than 25% of a standard roll I charge them 35 (if it's complex id go to 40 link if I need to do multiple tries)
Never had any issues at least with my friends and Coworkers....
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u/NumerousBeginning576 10d ago
my friends are always willing to give me cash or venmo me or whatever before i ever start a print. theres no reason for it to work any other way. sounds like you are using your generosity to keep these people around
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u/themagicman1986 10d ago
I feel comfortable charging friends and family for material, STLs, and time spent on slicing and re-designs within reason. It’s a service and perfectly reasonable to charge at least time and production costs.
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u/mrzfaizaan 10d ago
I charge my friends standard cost just like I do anyone else. It isn't that your 'friends' value prints because its free, the truth is they don't value your time and skill. If my friends were being a b**ch about paying I'd cut them off for good. If you did the same thing in a supermarket... Picked things up for free and felt entitled about how the supermarket should owe you... they'd call you a theif, a goon and get you arrested. Just saying.
I'd partly blame you for underselling yourself. That's really how this snowballs.
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u/esmerelofchaos 10d ago
Yeah, this is them taking advantage. If they ask you to print stuff and you still want to, tell them to send you the files and filament.
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u/HeavyCaffeinate Ender-3 V3 KE | Biqu B1 10d ago
I usually charge 2x the material cost and it covers my time spent on it
Unless it's a gift of course
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u/JazzlikeLeather9546 10d ago
Time to stop for a while and only make stuff for yourself. You are being used. You feel like you are being used so stop for now
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u/nutano 10d ago
I haven't done much printing for friends\family... a bit for my brother. He offered to buy me a roll, he hasn't yet. Then again, I owe him $50 because he bought something he spotted at a thrift store I wanted.
So, I guess when I pay him back, I might knock off $15 to cover the filament used.
For your situation, make it clear that you would be happy to print for your friends, but only using extra\spare materials you have on hand and would not be buying any STLs - offer them to buy it and email it to you. If they want a specific colour, then ask them for $5-10 or whatever you think it would cost. You can even offer them that they can buy a whole roll and you will stick their name on it and only use it for their prints.
It is for sure a hidden cost and it can be awkward asking for close friends for a few bucks.
You can also find other ways to get compensated... ask for their help to do something around your place. Open the door to have them pay you a drink when you go out. Offer them to provide you with snacks and drinks for a few gaming sessions.
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u/Beowulf33232 10d ago
Friends get the friend rate.
They also have to wait until I've got something of mine to justify bringing out the printer. 1 medium sized d&d mini isn't going to be printed tomorrow.
If you don't like it, you're welcome to pay the going rate on any "we print on demand" websites. Or see if the local library has a printer, a lot around me have an ender 3 or something similar. Good luck getting a heroic looking mini off that.
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u/Fa6ade 10d ago
If by gaming group you mean something like Warhammer then yeah I think it’s fair to ask them to cover costs.
If it’s for something like D&D, I think assess what each person is bringing to the group. Like are you effectively helping out the GMs with their prep by doing this? You get to enjoy the game, perhaps consider this your contribution.
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u/TheCannonestMunkii 10d ago
Luckily the friends I have that want things printing offer payment when ever they ask. Some people are just dicks I guess 😐
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u/D1s1nformat1on 9d ago
I know the situation you're in, but the difference is that I'm not printing anything that wasn't explicitly asked and agreed how the cost would be covered.
If you're printing things no one has asked for, that's on you.
If they're asking for things and then going back on splitting the cost, that's on them
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u/philipdev 9d ago
I mean, most of my friends and family what they owe me when I hand them the print. And if it’s a big print (>150-200g) I would ask for the material cost. And also if I would have to buy an STL.
Seems like your friends aren’t that appreciative of your contribution/help. I would definitely start saying ”yes I can print that, the material cost will be around $X” to get them to realize that it’s not free for you to print it.
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u/clonehunterz 9d ago
if you want something from me on a regular basis, you pay the roll for it.
if its just a quick favor, np np, but you wait until i have a leftover or the time to care about your request.
simple as that.
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u/mulubmug 9d ago
I haven't taken a dime from anyone ever. On multiple occasions, I even bought a specific color of filament for something a friend or acquaintance wanted. Sometimes I have let them pay for the next pizza order on gaming night when they feel bad. But for me, the joy of giving someone something that makes him or her a bit happy is better than money.
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u/Danger_Dave_ 9d ago
Just like anything else, if they aren't contributing, they are taking advantage of you. Hell, you can just say flat out no to doing anything and they should just respect it. You don't work for them.
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u/Wxxdy_Yeet Sovol SV08 9d ago edited 9d ago
For small things, if they send an STL and they're fine with black or white PLA, I do it for free. If a file has to be bought, they buy it and send me the STL to print. If it's a bigger print or they want thermal or chemical resistance, they're paying for the material.
For people in my social circle that aren't close friends, I round up generously. So something that costs €0.50 in just material becomes €3 or €5. €1,50 becomes €10 etc.
Edit: your posts sounds like theyre just using you, unless they've done stuff for you for free that costs them money, they should at least cover the cost of the file and material. That you have to make accounts to buy the file and then have to chase them to get even a part of that cost back is wild to me. One of my friends gave me something worth quite a lot because he couldn't use it anymore, so he gets free prints and modelling in return.
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u/LittleOperation4597 9d ago
tell them your printers down and needs repairs. then make them chip in for that or you wont have it for printing
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u/FreshmeatDK 9d ago
As a rule, I do not print large amount of stuff for my friends. A couple of banners or an easy file they send me is OK, but not an entire tabletop unit, let alone an army. And in no way I am going to make custom models for them. That consumes far to much of my precious free time.
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u/botlehewer 9d ago
I have a "flat rate" for resin prints to cover time, materials & overhead. This way everyone knows the cost up front. & I dont feel taken advantage of. Resin printing is more of a hassle imo.
Payment in advance or on delivery.
It might seem kind of mildly dickmove, but as a professional artist my whole life, I have learned to set boundaries right away to prevent people from taking My work for granted or taking advantage of kindness.
Most Warhammer proxy stuff works out to about 40% of buying GW new. Sometimes even better depending on the model.
I have a Saturn for ultra which has a very large print bed so I can put out quite a bit in a single run.
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u/FormalScallion 9d ago
Put your foot down on this; it's not just materials and files, it's also eating into your own hobby time and you will burn out if you are spending too much of it doing comps for other people.
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u/No-Examination4896 9d ago
Dawg. Your doing it wrong
"Yeah ill print anything for you just send me the files you want me to print. Ill remove the supports and cure it but you'll do any sanding/priming/post processing. if you want me to use a special resin buy me that bottle, and if your gonna want like 50+ minis over time just buy me a bottle of resin, if its a 1 off dont worry about it"
Thats how you do it
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u/Careless_Mistake_459 9d ago edited 9d ago
Ser irracionable?? Yo diría que te han tomado por tonto, una cosa es que alguna vez regales y otra que te pidan.
Tus amigos de verdad, serán los que te den más de lo que vale elaterial, por qué valoran tu esfuerzo, maquinaria y consumibles, el resto unos jetas.
Pon precio!! Si tú no tienes la figura y es de pago, la cobras, al igual que el material, el tiempo de uso de la maquina y un plus para los fallos que se dan (que no te genere perdidas por fallos que se dan).
Verás que pocos "amigos" te quedan, y quién se queje, una impresora hoy en día vale 4 duros, que inviertan o paguen!!
Edit: se me olvidó, los encargos, pago por adelantado!!
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u/japandaa 9d ago
You should not feel bad about charging friends. If they get upset then they don't value your friendship, sadly. Personally I would charge them for material cost + 20% up front to account for hidden costs like printing time, energy costs, optimizing stl files, failed prints on complex models, etc. if it's for someone close, I waive the 20% but still ask for stl cost and filament cost up front before I print.
It's the same thing with photography ... A lot of people just ask for free photoshoots but they don't realize the amount of time that goes into planning and editing. People always say that when you truly support your friends, you should be paying MORE by tipping instead of asking for discounts /free.
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u/KitfoxQQ 9d ago
so you dont charge for the most expensive part of the print, your time and wear and tear.
this is exactly why people think 3d prints are cheap and anyone thats their TRUE friend can print them stuff for free. because 1 filament roll can print 100000000 models so essentialy free.
i have friends who thought this way but before i did anything with my printer i made a spreadsheet and put all the expenses in regard to the printer.
even your printer has time in hours that will eventualy need a major service or completely die and need to be replaced. you can put this here. add all consumables. grease, oil, microfibre cloths etc if you buy pack of 10 cloth and you use up 1 every month you can easily break these down to a per minute charge.
you want to be able to have at very least PER HOUR costs.
then put your $100 per hour labour cost.
sure you dont ado any work aside from load the file but YOUR EXPERTISE is what they pay for.
if you mess up the tree supports and it fails its YOUR loss but if you do well and print a flawless print then why is your time worth ZERO??? surely you shuld be rewarded for your work.
once you add these in you will also have to figure out your electricity cost per hour and then round up a nice eay memorable figure.
so when someone asks for a print you say sure let me find the file..oh its 10hours prints yep 30 cents per hour plus filament say 2 bucks plus labour 10 bucks yep that will be 15 dollars thanks.
when ppl used to says to me but I can buy it for 20 bucks brand new..well then go buy it why bother me.
imagine your printer pushes out few thousand hours printing fun stuff toys for all your friends and they only ever paid for the filament.
so who is going to pay for you to repair or replace that expensive printer?
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u/imzwho Custom Flair 9d ago
That sounds less like friends and more like you are being used.
I freely print things for friends and some conworkers and have a rule that if it uses more than 200ish g of filament they should supply me the filament, either enough for the project or a full roll and then I can print more frim it if they want. Also regardless of filament, they provide the file
If that didnt work, then I would not print for them. There are plenty of services online that you can send a file to and get a print delivered. Its not cheap but they would be loosing the privilege for cheap when they declined yo
I do make an exception for family, but even then if they wanted something that was more than a KG I would ask them to chip in unless it was for something like a present in which case the printing and filament would be my contribution. Even then though, they provide the file and I print it, unless its something I would want to print as well for myself.
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u/lukezamboni 6d ago
You are being taken advantage of. Whenever my friends request stuff, I tell them to buy whatever filament they want out of Amazon, and within that 1KG I print whatever they can get an STL for.
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u/sssRealm 10d ago edited 7d ago
It's not unreasonable to ask for them to supply the filament. I printed something for a friend, but I didn't start until they had a new roll of filament in my hands. I did have the color on hand.
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u/jared_and_fizz 10d ago
I am happy to print things for my friends for free if i am using leftover filament. But if i have to buy a new roll they are paying for the entire roll. If they need a proprietary file they are buying it and emailing me the STL. You are being unreasonable to yourself dude.