London-based additive manufacturing specialist 3D People is calling on manufacturers to rethink how they evaluate 3D printing, emphasising in a new insight piece that an exclusive focus on “price per part” risks overlooking the broader value additive manufacturing brings to modern production.
In its analysis, The Real Cost of 3D Printing: Beyond Price per Part, co-founders Sasha Bruml and Felix Manley say that while unit pricing can be a useful benchmark for traditional manufacturing methods such as injection moulding, it does not capture the economic and operational advantages of additive manufacturing.
“Additive isn’t just a different way to make parts, it’s a completely different production philosophy,” Manley said.
He noted that manufacturers who rely solely on part price comparisons may fail to recognise benefits such as design freedom, shorter lead times, reduced inventory requirements and more responsive supply chains.
According to the company, additive manufacturing differs from conventional production by requiring no costly tooling, enabling rapid design iteration and supporting on-demand manufacturing.
This, 3D People says, can eliminate stockholding and warehousing expenses while allowing engineers to optimise components for performance rather than manufacturability.
Bruml added that many manufacturers are shifting their focus toward total cost of ownership. “When you factor in savings from lighter designs, reduced assembly complexity, and fewer warranty issues, additive often delivers better long-term value, even when the price per part appears higher,” he said.
3D People also highlights potential savings in logistics, quality assurance and post-processing, describing additive manufacturing as an increasingly strategic option for low-to-mid volume production and shorter product life cycles.
The company says its approach to working with customers spans the entire value chain – from design optimisation to surface finishing and part validation—positioning 3D People as a strategic manufacturing partner rather than a traditional supplier.
“We don’t just quote parts, we collaborate,” Manley said. “Our mission is to help engineers and procurement teams see additive as a full manufacturing solution, not just a quick fix.”
To access the full insight, visit 3D People’s website.
