3D Printing Filament Tutorials
Master every filament type with our comprehensive guides. From beginner-friendly PLA to advanced engineering materials like PEEK and carbon fiber composites. Learn optimal settings, properties, and techniques for perfect prints with over 15 different material types.
15+ Material Types
Detailed Settings
Expert Tips
Specialty Materials
Material Recommendation Tool
Not sure which material to choose? Answer a few questions and get personalized recommendations.
Find Your Perfect Material
Beginner
Algae-based PLA
Revolutionary bio-based PLA made from algae. Completely biodegradable with reduced carbon footprint and unique green coloring.
190-220°C
Bed: 50-60°C
50mm/s
Beginner
Common Uses:
Sustainable projects
Eco-friendly prototypes
Educational models
+2 more
Beginner
Bamboo-filled PLA
Eco-friendly PLA filled with bamboo fibers. Lightweight, sustainable, and offers a unique natural texture and smell.
190-220°C
Bed: 50-60°C
45mm/s
Beginner
Common Uses:
Eco-friendly projects
Sustainable prototypes
Natural textures
+2 more
Beginner
Cork-filled PLA
PLA filled with real cork particles offering unique texture, low density, and excellent insulation properties.
190-220°C
Bed: 50-60°C
40mm/s
Beginner
Common Uses:
Insulation parts
Lightweight objects
Natural textures
+2 more
Beginner
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
PLA is the most beginner-friendly 3D printing filament. It's biodegradable, easy to print, and produces minimal odor during printing.
190-220°C
Bed: 50-60°C
60mm/s
Beginner
Common Uses:
Prototypes
Decorative items
Educational models
+2 more
Intermediate
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS is a strong, durable thermoplastic that's perfect for functional parts. It requires higher temperatures and good ventilation due to fumes.
220-250°C
Bed: 80-110°C
40mm/s
Intermediate
Common Uses:
Automotive parts
Electronic housings
Tools
+2 more
Intermediate
Bronze-filled PLA
PLA filled with bronze particles creating a metallic finish that can be polished and patinated. Heavier than regular PLA with unique properties.
190-220°C
Bed: 50-60°C
35mm/s
Intermediate
Common Uses:
Sculptures
Decorative items
Jewelry
+2 more
Intermediate
Copper-filled PLA
PLA filled with real copper particles that can be polished to a bright copper finish. Offers limited thermal and electrical conductivity.
190-220°C
Bed: 50-60°C
35mm/s
Intermediate
Common Uses:
Decorative objects
Antimicrobial surfaces
Heat sinks
+2 more
Intermediate
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
PETG combines the ease of PLA with the strength of ABS. It's chemical resistant, crystal clear when transparent, and food-safe.
220-250°C
Bed: 70-80°C
50mm/s
Intermediate
Common Uses:
Food containers
Medical devices
Transparent parts
+2 more
Intermediate
Recycled ABS
ABS made from recycled plastic waste. Maintains excellent mechanical properties while supporting circular economy principles.
220-250°C
Bed: 80-110°C
40mm/s
Intermediate
Common Uses:
Sustainable manufacturing
Eco-friendly parts
Recycling projects
+2 more
Intermediate
Recycled PETG
Environmentally friendly PETG made from recycled plastic bottles. Maintains excellent properties while reducing environmental impact.
220-250°C
Bed: 70-80°C
50mm/s
Intermediate
Common Uses:
Sustainable projects
Eco-friendly prototypes
Educational models
+2 more
Intermediate
Steel-filled PLA
PLA filled with stainless steel particles. Magnetic, heavy, and can be polished to a metallic finish. Unique magnetic properties.
190-220°C
Bed: 50-60°C
35mm/s
Intermediate
Common Uses:
Magnetic assemblies
Heavy prototypes
Metallic finishes
+2 more
Intermediate
Transparent PETG
Crystal clear PETG formulated for maximum transparency and optical clarity. Perfect for see-through applications.
220-250°C
Bed: 70-80°C
40mm/s
Intermediate
Common Uses:
Transparent housings
Optical prototypes
Display cases
+2 more
Intermediate
Wood-filled PLA
Wood-filled PLA contains real wood particles, giving prints a natural wood appearance and smell. Can be sanded and stained.
190-220°C
Bed: 50-60°C
45mm/s
Intermediate
Common Uses:
Decorative items
Artistic pieces
Furniture prototypes
+1 more
Advanced
Flexible TPU 95A
Harder TPU variant with 95A shore hardness. Offers good flexibility while maintaining easier printability than softer TPU variants.
210-230°C
Bed: 50-60°C
25mm/s
Advanced
Common Uses:
Phone cases
Gaskets
Automotive parts
+2 more
Advanced
High-temp PETG
Modified PETG with enhanced temperature resistance and improved mechanical properties for demanding applications.
230-260°C
Bed: 80-90°C
45mm/s
Advanced
Common Uses:
High-temp applications
Automotive parts
Industrial components
+2 more
Advanced
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
TPU is a flexible filament perfect for creating rubber-like parts. It's excellent for gaskets, phone cases, and wearable items.
210-230°C
Bed: 50-60°C
20mm/s
Advanced
Common Uses:
Phone cases
Gaskets
Wearables
+2 more
Expert
Aramid Fiber Composite
Aramid (Kevlar) fiber reinforced filament offering exceptional impact resistance and cut resistance. Perfect for protective applications.
240-260°C
Bed: 80-100°C
30mm/s
Expert
Common Uses:
Protective equipment
Impact-resistant parts
Safety gear
+2 more
Expert
Flexible TPU 85A
Soft TPU variant with 85A shore hardness. Extremely flexible and rubber-like, perfect for applications requiring maximum flexibility.
210-230°C
Bed: 50-60°C
15mm/s
Expert
Common Uses:
Soft toys
Wearables
Flexible joints
+2 more
Expert
Nylon (Polyamide)
Nylon is an engineering-grade filament with excellent strength, durability, and chemical resistance. Perfect for functional parts.
Expert
PEI (Polyetherimide)
PEI offers excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability at high temperatures. Used in aerospace and automotive industries.
320-360°C
Bed: 110-130°C
25mm/s
Expert
Common Uses:
Aerospace parts
Automotive components
Electronic housings
+2 more
Expert
PPSU (Polyphenylsulfone)
PPSU is a high-performance thermoplastic with exceptional chemical resistance, high temperature stability, and excellent biocompatibility for medical applications.
340-380°C
Bed: 120-140°C
20mm/s
Expert
Common Uses:
Medical devices
Sterilizable parts
Chemical processing
+2 more
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General 3D Printing Tips
Essential tips that apply to all filament types for better print quality and success rates.
Temperature Control
Maintain consistent temperatures for optimal layer adhesion and print quality.
Calibration
Regular bed leveling and extruder calibration ensure consistent results.
Speed Settings
Adjust print speeds based on filament type and model complexity.
Storage
Keep filaments dry and properly stored to prevent quality degradation.
Material Properties Comparison
Compare key properties of different 3D printing materials to choose the right one for your project.
| Material | Difficulty | Strength | Temperature | Flexibility | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PLA | Beginner | Medium | Low | Low | Low | Prototypes, Decorative |
ABS | Intermediate | High | Medium | Medium | Low | Functional Parts |
PETG | Intermediate | High | Medium | Medium | Medium | Food Safe, Clear Parts |
Nylon | Expert | Very High | High | Medium | High | Industrial, Gears |
PEEK | Expert | Exceptional | Very High | Low | Very High | Aerospace, Medical |
Carbon Fiber | Advanced | Very High | Low | Very Low | High | Lightweight, Strong |