What 3D printing costs in New Zealand
Real numbers, in NZD, from a working Tauranga print workshop - updated for 2026. As of August 2026, a made-to-order print from PartDrop costs $22–200 NZD including GST, depending on size. Here's exactly how that breaks down.
2026 price list, by size
Standard PLA in one colour. Shipping is added at checkout and depends on where it's going.
| Size | Height | Price (NZD, incl. GST) | Typical pieces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | up to ~6 cm | $22–45 | Palm-sized - keyrings, tokens, small figures. |
| Mediummost popular | up to ~11 cm | $45–80 | Mug-sized - most keepsakes and models. |
| Large | up to ~17 cm | $80–130 | Bottle-sized - statement pieces and busts. |
| XL | up to ~25 cm | $130–200 | Our biggest - near the print-bed limit. |
Why a range within each size? See “what drives the price” below - a chunkier object costs more than a slender one. Multi-colour prints add a surcharge - your exact price is always shown before you pay.
What actually drives the price
Size
The biggest lever. Each size step roughly doubles the material and print time, which is why the bands step up the way they do.
How solid it is
A chunky object uses more filament and hours than a slender one of the same height - that's what moves you within a size's range.
Colours
One colour (from eight) is standard. Multi-colour bands add a surcharge because each colour change costs printer time.
What it doesn't depend on
Complexity. An intricate shape costs the same as a simple one at the same size and volume - the printer doesn't care how clever the geometry is.
Shipping, honestly
Delivery is added at checkout - $7.60 to $45.70 depending on the size of the parcel and where it's going.
Everything is printed in Tauranga and couriered domestically, so there's no international freight, no customs, and it arrives in days rather than the weeks an offshore service takes.
Service vs buying a printer
A decent entry-level printer is several hundred dollars before filament, failed prints and the learning curve. If you print constantly, buy one - genuinely. If you want one great piece a few times a year, a finished small print from $22 beats owning a machine you have to tune.
And if what you have is a photorather than a 3D file, the modelling is included in the price - that's the part you can't do with a printer alone.
3D printing cost NZ - FAQ
How much does it cost to 3D print something in New Zealand?
At PartDrop (Tauranga, 2026) a made-to-order 3D print costs $22–200 NZD including GST, priced by size: small $22–45, medium $45–80, large $80–130, xl $130–200. Shipping is added at checkout and depends on where it's going. You see the exact price for your actual model before you pay.
How much does a custom figurine made from a photo cost?
The same size pricing applies and the 3D modelling is included in it - you don't pay extra for the photo-to-model step. Most keepsake figurines are our medium size at $45–80 NZD. You preview the 3D model and approve the exact price before anything is printed, so trying it costs nothing.
Why do two prints the same height cost different amounts?
Because printers charge in material and hours, not centimetres. Within a size, a chunky solid object uses more filament and more printer time than a slender one, so it sits higher in the range. A slim figurine and a dense bust can be the same height and print for quite different prices.
Is it cheaper to buy a 3D printer or use a printing service?
If you'll print one thing, or a few things a year, a service wins: a decent entry-level printer is several hundred dollars before filament, failed prints and the hours of learning, while a finished small keepsake from us is $22–45 NZD. If you'll print constantly, buying your own machine pays for itself - we'll say that honestly. Many of our customers simply don't want to own and tune a machine for one great gift.
How much does shipping cost within NZ?
Delivery is added at checkout - $7.60 to $45.70 depending on the size of the parcel and where it's going. Because we print in Tauranga and courier domestically, there's no international freight and no customs.
Do the prices include GST?
Yes - every price shown on PartDrop includes GST. There are no hidden fees: the one optional extra is multi-colour printing, which adds a surcharge that's shown in your price before you pay.
Are there any hidden costs?
No. The price you approve is the price you're charged - nothing is printed or billed until you've seen your 3D model and the exact NZD figure. Multi-colour prints add a surcharge - your exact price is always shown before you pay.
Upload a photo or a 3D file - you approve the model and the price before paying.
More keepsake ideas