Where to 3D Print Something Near You (Free and Low-Cost Options)
Where to 3D Print Something Near You (Free and Low-Cost Options)
From a public library (the cheapest local option) to makerspaces and online services — where to 3D print a part near you, and what each one costs.
By the Public-Libraries.com Editorial Team · Updated October 1, 2026
In this guide
Where to 3D print something near you
You don’t need to own a 3D printer to get something printed. Whether you have a ready-to-print file or just an idea, here are the realistic options and what each typically costs:
| Where | Typical cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Public library | About $0.10–$0.15 per gram (a small part ~$1–$3) | Cheapest local option; you submit a file, staff print it, you pick it up in a few days |
| Library or community makerspace | Free–low with a library card; independent spaces ~$10–$75 day pass or $39–$225/month | You run the printer yourself; may need a short orientation |
| Online service (JLC3DP, Craftcloud, Treatstock) | From about $1–$30 plus shipping | Upload your file, they print and ship it; 1–2+ week turnaround |
| University / college fab lab | Often students only; some public (e.g. UVU ~$0.75/cu in) | Call first to confirm it’s open to the public |
| Local print or maker shop | ~$5–$15 minimum for one small item | Labor and setup are priced in, so single items have a floor price |
| Staples / FedEx Office / UPS Store | Not offered | They piloted in-store 3D printing around 2014 but no longer list it |
The cheapest option: your public library
Hundreds of U.S. public libraries now offer 3D printing to the public, and it’s usually the cheapest way to get a single part made. Almost all of them price it the same way: by the weight of filament used, at roughly $0.10–$0.15 per gram. Real examples from library price lists: Downers Grove Public Library in Illinois charges $0.10 per gram (with a $1 minimum); Scottsdale Public Library in Arizona charges $0.10 per gram; and Mahwah Public Library in New Jersey charges $0.15 per gram. A typical 10–20 gram object — a keychain, a small figurine, a replacement knob — lands around $1–$3.
How it works at most libraries: you submit an STL file through an online form, staff queue and print it (you don’t operate the machine), and you pay by weight when you pick it up, usually within a few days to a couple of weeks. Libraries print one file at a time and generally won’t edit your design, so bring a finished model. To find one near you, see our state-by-state list of libraries with 3D printing and makerspaces.
Makerspaces: print it yourself
If you’d rather run the printer yourself — or use a laser cutter, vinyl cutter or sewing machine while you’re there — look for a makerspace. Many library makerspaces are free to use with a library card; you pay only for materials, and tools like laser cutters usually require a short safety orientation first. Where there’s no library option, an independent makerspace or hackerspace charges for access: day passes commonly run about $10–$75 and monthly memberships roughly $39–$225, which typically includes 3D-printer access. It’s the best route if you want hands-on control or plan to print regularly.
Online 3D printing services (upload and ship)
No local option? Online services let you upload a model, get an instant quote, and have the finished part shipped to you. They’re the way to go for materials a library can’t do — resin, nylon, full-color or metal. JLC3DP lists starting prices from about $1 for FDM and $0.30 for small resin parts (it ships from China, so add shipping and 1–2+ weeks). Marketplaces like Craftcloud and Treatstock collect quotes from many print shops so you can compare; a palm-sized plastic part is often in the $8–$30 range from US-based providers. (One name you may remember, Shapeways, went bankrupt in 2024 and relaunched as a business-focused service, so its consumer marketplace is no longer what it was.)
Can I 3D print at Staples, FedEx Office or the UPS Store?
Not anymore. Staples launched an in-store 3D printing service around 2014, and the UPS Store piloted 3D printing in about 100 locations the same year, but neither currently lists 3D printing among its services, and FedEx Office does not offer in-store 3D printing to the public either. If you were counting on a quick trip to a shipping store, use a public library (cheapest) or an online service (widest range of materials) instead.
How much does it cost to 3D print one thing?
It depends on size and where you go, but for a single small object:
| Option | Cost for one small part |
|---|---|
| Public library (per gram) | ~$1–$3 for a 10–20 g object |
| Online, ships from overseas (JLC3DP) | From ~$1–$5 for a small part, plus shipping |
| US local shop or US-based online service | ~$5–$15 minimum, as labor and setup are priced in |
| Professional service (Craftcloud, Xometry) | ~$8–$30+ for a palm-sized part |
The takeaway: a 20-gram object costs roughly $2 in filament at a library, while a commercial shop often has a $5–$15 minimum per item because machine and labor time are built in. Overseas online services can be cheaper per part but add shipping and a wait.
What about "free" 3D printing?
Truly free 3D printing is rare — you almost always pay at least for the plastic — and a library’s few-cents-per-gram rate is about as close as it gets. Most people searching for “free 3D printing” are actually after free 3D models and software, which really are free: download ready-to-print models from Thingiverse or Printables, design your own in the free browser tool Tinkercad, and prepare files with a free slicer like UltiMaker Cura or PrusaSlicer. Then take the finished file to a library to print it cheaply.
Related guides
Libraries with makerspaces & 3D printing (by state) →Printing, copying & fax at the library →How to get a library card →
Frequently Asked Questions
Public-Libraries.com Editorial Team
Public-Libraries.com is an independent, reader-supported directory of every U.S. public library. Our editorial team compiles verified hours, services and resources from official sources — see how we verify our data.
Leave a Reply