One of the most common questions we receive: "I only need 20 pieces -- is that feasible?" The answer is always yes. Low volume manufacturing has never been more accessible, thanks to advancements in additive manufacturing and precision machining.
Why Low Volume Manufacturing Matters
Traditionally, manufacturing required large minimum order quantities (MOQ) to be cost-effective. Injection molding, for example, often requires tooling costs of $10,000-50,000 before a single part is produced. This made small batch production impractical for many businesses.
Today, 3D printing services and CNC machining have democratized production. You can now get 1 custom part or 1,000 -- at prices that make sense for startups, product developers, and businesses of any size.
4-Step Process for Low Volume Production
Upload Your Design
Send us your CAD file (STL, STEP, IGES) or 2D drawings
Get a Quote
Receive pricing within 2 hours, including material and lead time
Production
We manufacture your parts using the optimal process
Quality Check & Ship
100% inspection before packaging and global shipping
Technologies for 1-100 Pieces
3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing)
SLA and SLS are ideal for low volume production of plastic parts. No tooling required -- your parts are built directly from digital files. This makes rapid prototyping and small batch runs extremely cost-effective.
- Best for: Plastic parts, complex geometries, quick turnaround
- Quantity range: 1-500+ pieces
- Typical lead time: 3-7 days
CNC Machining (Subtractive Manufacturing)
For metal parts or applications requiring tight tolerances, CNC milling and CNC turning deliver excellent precision. While setup costs are higher than 3D printing, per-part costs decrease rapidly at higher volumes.
- Best for: Metal parts (aluminum, steel, titanium), tight tolerances
- Quantity range: 1-1,000+ pieces
- Typical lead time: 5-10 days
How to Reduce Your Per-Part Cost
- Design for manufacturing (DFM) -- Simplify geometry where possible
- Choose the right material -- Standard resins/metals cost less than specialty options
- Optimize batch size -- Combining orders saves setup time
- Share similar designs -- Panelization can maximize efficiency
Pro Tip: If your order is 50+ pieces, ask about our tiered pricing. Most 3D printing and CNC services offer significant discounts at higher volumes.
Common Applications for Low Volume Manufacturing
- Product prototyping -- Test form, fit, and function before mass production
- Customized products -- Branded or personalized items for events, gifts, or niche markets
- Replacement parts -- Obsolete or low-demand components
- Market testing -- Launch a new product with limited inventory to gauge demand
- Research & development -- Custom lab equipment, fixtures, and tooling
Ready to Start Your Low Volume Production?
At PrintVX, we specialize in low volume manufacturing runs of 1-100+ pieces. Our services include SLA 3D printing, SLS 3D printing, FDM, and CNC machining for both plastic and metal parts.
Upload your design today and receive a free quote within 2 hours. We ship globally to 50+ countries.
Looking for custom parts?
PrintVX.com provides professional 3D printing and CNC machining services with fast turnaround. Get an instant quote today -- no minimum order required.
Ready to Get Your Custom Parts?
PrintVX offers professional 3D printing and CNC machining services. From prototyping to low-volume production -- fast turnaround, competitive pricing.
Get a Free Quote at PrintVX.com →