First: print time. The printer-hour is the most expensive resource. Height (Z) > footprint (XY) — orientation matters.
Second: material. Standard PLA/PETG is ~$8-12/kg. Specialty nylons with carbon fiber can be $100+/kg. If it's not a structural part, go cheaper.
Third: post-processing. Raw print is one line item, sanding + primer + lacquer is another. Each stage adds 20-40% to the final price.
Fourth: volume. A printer running 8h for one unit vs 8h for ten — same overhead, so per-unit price drops with volume.
Fifth: deadline. Standard queue costs x. Rush — x1.3-1.5. Plan ahead.
Sixth: post-production complexity. Gluing, hand painting, branded packaging — that's human labor we can't automate away.
Best strategy: send the file, tell us what you want to achieve (not 'how you want it printed'). We'll propose the cheapest path to your goal.