The Manuflo Blog
Practical guides for running a profitable 3D print business.
How to Price 3D Printing Services (Without Losing Money)
A practical, step-by-step pricing framework that accounts for material cost, machine time, failed prints, overhead, and markup — so you stop guessing and start profiting.
Why Spreadsheets Are Killing Your Print Shop
Spreadsheets got you started. But as your shop grows, they become the single biggest bottleneck to your revenue. Here's exactly how — and what to do instead.
5 Signs Your 3D Print Business Has Outgrown Spreadsheets
Think your system is "fine"? These five telltale signs reveal when your shop has hit the wall — and what purpose-built software actually changes.
Best 3D Print Shop Management Software in 2026: Manuflo vs. Printago vs. SimplyPrint vs. Spreadsheets
Comparing the top 3D print shop management platforms in 2026: Manuflo, Printago, SimplyPrint, 3DPBOSS, and FilaOps. Find the right tool for your shop size.
Manuflo vs. Printago: Which Print Farm Software Is Right for Your Shop?
An honest comparison for 3D print shop owners. Printago wins at scale. Manuflo wins for 1–15 printer shops that need a full business layer, CRM, and invoicing.
Best 3D Print Shop Management Software in 2026: Manuflo vs. Printago vs. SimplyPrint
An honest, feature-by-feature comparison of every tool print shop owners are actually using — so you can pick the right stack for your shop size and workflow.
Manuflo vs. Printago: Which Print Farm Software Is Right for Your Shop?
Printago is powerful for large farms. Manuflo wins for 1–15 printer service shops that need CRM, invoicing, and a full business layer. Here's the honest breakdown.
Looking for a SimplyPrint Alternative? Here's What Print Shop Owners Switch To
SimplyPrint is great at printer monitoring. But it stops there. Here's what shops add (or switch to) when they need orders, invoicing, and a revenue dashboard.
How to Run a 3D Print Farm Business: The Complete Operational Guide
From shop setup to scaling — a practical 7-part guide covering orders, materials, pricing, invoicing, key metrics, and everything in between.
3D Print Farm Software: What Every Print Farm Owner Actually Needs
There are two categories of print farm software — and most shops only have one. Here's the full stack breakdown and what to use at every shop size.
FoxTrack Alternative: What to Use When You Need More Than the Basics
FoxTrack is free and simple. But when your shop needs CRM, revenue tracking, and professional invoicing, here's what print owners switch to.
How to Invoice 3D Printing Clients: A Complete Guide for Print Shops
What to include, how to calculate final costs, payment terms, and how to look professional — without spending 20 minutes per invoice.
Does Your 3D Print Shop Need a CRM? (And What to Use If It Does)
Most print shop owners don't think they need a CRM — until they lose a repeat customer. Here's how to manage customers without the complexity.
3D Printing Business Software: The Complete Guide for Shop Owners
Every category of software a 3D printing business needs — from slicers to business management — with practical recommendations at every shop size.
How to Run Your Etsy 3D Printing Business Like a Pro (Not a Side Hustle)
Systems, pricing, and the business infrastructure that separates serious Etsy print sellers from hobbyists — and how to build a customer base you actually own.
Is Your 3D Print Farm Actually Profitable? Here's How to Know
Most print farms are busy — but busy isn't profitable. Here's how to calculate your real margin including machine costs, overhead, and your own time.
3D Printing Order Management: How to Track Jobs from Quote to Payment
A practical walkthrough of every stage in the order lifecycle — intake, quoting, production, QC, shipping, invoicing, payment — and where most shops drop the ball.
Filament Inventory Management: Stop Running Out Mid-Print
The real cost of running out of filament mid-job — and a practical system for tracking stock, setting reorder thresholds, and tying usage to specific jobs.
How to Scale a 3D Printing Business: From 2 Printers to 20
When to add printers, how to manage increasing order volume, what breaks at scale, and what infrastructure you need at each stage of growth.