In this guide · Part 5 of 7
Key takeaways
- PLA is the best filament to start with. It's easy to print, has very little smell and comes in the widest choice of colours.
- PETG is the go-to choice for tougher functional parts that need more resistance to heat and moisture.
- TPU makes flexible, rubber-like parts. ABS and ASA handle heat, and ASA is suited to outdoor use.
- For resin, start with standard or water-washable resin, and use tough resins for functional parts.
- Keep filament dry, and store resin somewhere cool and dark.
How do you choose a 3D printing material?
Ask yourself three questions:
- What will the part do? Think about strength, flexibility, heat, sunlight and contact with water.
- What can your printer handle? Check its maximum nozzle and bed temperatures, whether it's enclosed, and whether it has a hardened nozzle for abrasive materials.
- How should it look? Consider colour, a matte or glossy finish, transparency and special effects.
What are the most common 3D printer filaments?
| Filament | Ease | Typical nozzle temp | Typical bed temp | Enclosure? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Easiest | 190–220°C | 50–60°C | No |
| PETG | Easy | 220–250°C | 70–85°C | No |
| TPU | Moderate | 210–240°C | 40–60°C | No |
| ABS | Moderate | 230–260°C | 90–110°C | Recommended |
| ASA | Moderate | 240–260°C | 90–110°C | Recommended |
| Nylon | Advanced | 240–280°C | 70–100°C | Recommended |
These are typical ranges. Settings vary by brand, so always start with the settings printed on the spool or in your slicer's material profile.
PLA: the best place to start
PLA (polylactic acid) is the most popular 3D printing filament. It prints at relatively low temperatures, rarely warps, has very little smell and comes in a huge range of colours and finishes. It's ideal for models, prototypes, decorative items and most household prints. Its main limitation is heat: PLA softens at around 55–60°C, so it isn't suitable for parts left in a hot car or near heat sources. Shop PLA
PETG: tough and practical
PETG is tougher and more heat- and moisture-resistant than PLA, and a little more flexible, so it's less likely to snap. It's a great choice for functional parts, brackets, containers and outdoor items that aren't in constant strong sunlight. It can string more than PLA, and dry filament helps. Shop PETG
TPU and flexible filaments
TPU is a rubber-like filament for flexible parts such as phone cases, seals, gaskets, grips, bumpers and wearables. Print it slowly, and check that your printer can handle flexible filament. Direct-drive extruders cope best. Shop TPU and flexible
ABS and ASA: heat-resistant
ABS and ASA withstand higher temperatures than PLA or PETG and can be sanded and finished easily. ASA also resists UV light, which makes it the better choice for outdoor parts. Both tend to warp and give off more fumes, so print them in an enclosed printer with good ventilation. Shop ABS · Shop ASA
Engineering filaments
Nylon, polycarbonate and carbon-fibre-reinforced filaments offer high strength, stiffness and heat resistance for demanding functional parts. They need higher temperatures, and usually an enclosure and very dry storage. Abrasive filaments such as carbon fibre need a hardened nozzle. High temperature and engineering · Carbon fibre · Polycarbonate
Speciality and decorative filaments
For looks rather than strength, choose from silk, matte, transparent, glow-in-the-dark and multicolour and gradient filaments, as well as wood-fill and metal-fill blends. Most print much like PLA, but check the label. Shop speciality filament
Support and soluble filaments
On printers that can print two materials at once, soluble or breakaway support filaments make complex shapes easier to clean up. Shop support and soluble filament
What types of 3D printing resin are there?
Standard resin
Excellent detail and a smooth finish at a sensible price. The best place to start for models and miniatures.
Water-washable resin
Cleans up with water instead of IPA. It's still a chemical, so wear gloves, and never pour the wash water down the drain.
Tough and ABS-like resin
Less brittle and more impact-resistant, for functional parts, snap fits and parts that need to take knocks.
Speciality resin
Flexible, high-temperature, castable and other special-purpose resins for specific professional uses.
Most consumer resin printers use UV light at a wavelength of 405nm, and most resins are made to match. Check that a resin is compatible with your printer before you buy it.
What do filament diameter and spool size mean?
Diameter: most printers use 1.75mm filament, and some use 2.85mm. The two aren't interchangeable, so check your printer's specification before you buy.
Spool size: 1kg spools are the most common. Smaller spools and samples let you try new materials or colours, while larger spools and bundles offer better value for high-volume printing.
How should you store filament and resin?
- Keep filament dry. Most filaments absorb moisture from the air. Store spools in sealed bags or boxes with desiccant, or use a filament dryer.
- Know the signs of wet filament: popping or hissing at the nozzle, extra stringing, a rough or bubbly surface, weak layers and filament that snaps easily.
- Store resin in its original opaque bottle with the lid tight, somewhere cool and dark, and out of reach of children and pets.
- Shake resin well before every use, because the pigments settle over time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest 3D printer filament to use?
PLA is the easiest filament to print. It works on almost every filament printer, prints at relatively low temperatures, rarely warps and has very little smell.
What is the strongest 3D printer filament?
It depends on what you mean by strong. For most users, PETG, ABS and ASA are tough and durable. For demanding engineering parts, nylon, polycarbonate and carbon-fibre-reinforced filaments offer the highest strength, stiffness and heat resistance.
Is PLA food safe?
We don't recommend 3D printed parts for repeated contact with food. Even when a base material is considered food safe, layer lines can trap bacteria, and colourants, additives and the printer itself can affect safety. If you need food contact, use a certified material and seal the part with a suitable food-safe coating.
Which filament is best for outdoor use?
ASA is usually the best choice because it resists UV light, heat and weather. PETG is a good alternative for parts that won't spend long periods in strong sunlight.
Can I mix different resins?
It isn't recommended. Different resins can have different curing settings and properties. Empty and clean the vat when you switch between resins.