Additive Manufacturing Service Bureau Quoting calculator
Service Bureau Margin Calculator
A quote that wins work but misses margin can leave a service bureau absorbing failures, post-processing time, and machine downtime. This calculator compares customer price against estimated job cost so estimators can see margin dollars and margin percentage before release.
What this calculator does
- Calculate gross margin on an additive manufacturing quote from customer price, estimated job cost, and margin reference price.
- a quoting manager needs to confirm a 3D printing quote meets the shop margin target
- Returns gross margin percentage and dollars for a quoted AM job.
Formula used
- Margin dollars = customer quote price - estimated job cost
- Gross margin = margin dollars รท gross margin price basis
Inputs explained
- Customer quote price: undefined
- Estimated job cost: undefined
- Gross margin price basis: undefined
How to use the result
- Use it before sending quotes, approving discounts, or accepting rush orders with added risk.
- It does not calculate cash flow, taxes, commissions, or payment terms unless those are included in estimated job cost.
Common questions
- What should estimated job cost include? Include material, print time, machine burden, operator time, support removal, finishing, inspection, packing, outsourcing, and expected failure allowance.
- What should I use as the price basis? For gross margin, use the customer quote price as the basis unless your finance team specifies another denominator.
- What if the margin is negative? The quoted price is below estimated cost, so the job needs repricing, scope reduction, or management approval.
- How does this help sales? It shows whether a discount or rush quote still protects the service bureau's profit target.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12.