The Big Six should have been paid their respects. Now it’s time to appease the 3D printing gods. Now it’s time for something more!

We used to focus on strength and flexibility in the past, but now we are focusing more on special properties such as finish and composition.

These filaments are very popular for recreational use of 3D printers because they have exotic properties. This is also the most fun type of filament!

This is the Ultimate Guide to Best 3D Printer Filament

These types of 3D Printer filament have the professional label. This is for two reasons.

First, these types of 3D printed filament, in comparison to the others, are much less popular in desktop 3D printing.

A number of these filaments serve a second purpose, beyond being printed material. They can also be used to support the extruder or provide structural support.

These filaments are still safe for occasional use. Most print in much the same way as the filaments mentioned above, albeit with more attention paid to print settings or special requirements that can be modded onto a standard desktop 3D printer (such as a hotter hot end).

Guide To The Best Filament for 3D Printers

Blue Painters Tape PLA (Polylactic Acid) is one of the two most commonly used desktop 3D printing filaments (with the other being ABS filament). PLA is the recommended “default” material for most desktop 3D printers. PLA can be used in many printing applications. PLA filament is one of most environmentally-friendly materials for 3D printers. Because it’s made from corn-starch, and does not require as much energy to make than other petroleum-based plastics. Outside of 3D printing, PLA plastic is often used in food containers, such as candy wrappers, and biodegradable medical implants, such as sutures. PLA filaments for 3D printing are available in wide variety of colors. They come in sizes 1.75mm to 3mm. You can find tips and tricks to 3D print PLA here: How to succeed when printing in PLA

PLA 3D Printing Filament Properties:

PLA filament is a stiff but brittle 3D printing material.

Best used for cosmetic prints, prototypes, desk toys, low-stress applications.

Because of its ease-of-printing and low warp, it’s the ideal material for a 3D printer beginner.

Blue Painters Tape LAYWOO–D3, Color. Fabb’s Woodfill and Timberfill 3D printer materials are similar to wood and give 3D-printed objects the appearance and feel of fibreboard. Parts are imbued with wood-like characteristics, including the ability to be cut, painted and sanded. PLA is the basic material used in these filaments. Other materials are usually added (usually in powder form). PLA is compatible with 3D printers and easy-to-use, while the materials contribute to the appearance, feel, as well as the properties, of the filament. Woodfill and LAYWOO–D3 give your prints the same texture as real wood, while Corkfill gives you the benefit of its lighter weight. Avoid too high temperatures with these organic materials. You will see wood burn and get darker printed results. It is important to remove the filament from the extruder fairly soon after finishing a print, as the filament will begin to burn in the nozzle and start to clog it. These filaments are all available in both 1.75mm 3mm unspooled and spooled rolls.

Wood PLA 3D Printing Filament Properties:

Wood filaments have the appearance and feel of real wood. They also possess printing properties comparable to those made from PLA.

It is ideal for making wooden busts, sculptures, and tikis. Anything really hard to chisel.

Different temperatures of extruders produce various colors. The darker the best.

Blue Painters Tape Blue Painters Tape is a steel PLA filament that’s more durable than MHBuild PLA. But, due to the steel fibers blended into the plastic, prints will feel stronger and authentic. The 3D-printed steel can be polished and sanded to make beautiful, unique pieces. The Stainless Steel filament, when unpolished looks almost like cast steel straight from a mold. With just a little finishing and polishing, however, you can easily create any look like you desire. 3D Printing Steel can be used to print jewelry, robots, costume, figurines and props. The steel filaments will appeal to both serious and casual designers. A hardened steel nozzle is required for printing due to the high degree of abrasion. These filaments are available in both 1.75mm and 3mm 3D Printing Filament Properties:

This filament. These filaments can be printed like PLA, but they are more slow and the prints will end up being heavier.

This is the best way to make cosmetic prints of jewelry and busts.

Rock tumbling or polishing can achieve the best results.

Matter allows you to produce stunning 3D printed parts that can be used for complex geometries. Hackers’ reliable PRO Series PVA Water-Soluble Support Material . This filament can be used for complex design support. Put 3D printed pieces in a cup of water overnight. The next morning you will find no support. Compatible with filaments such Tough PLA, PLA, Nylon and PLA, this support material allows you to create complexity in your standard materials. Matter makes it easy to print intricate designs and has no post-processing problems. Hackers PRO Series PROVA water-soluble support material.

PRO Series PVA 3D Printer Filament Properties

PRO Series PVA filament, a 3D printing support material that is stiff and water-soluble, can be found in the following:

For models with inner supports, and models with a lot of overhangs or extremely detailed models.

PLA: Best support material for 3D printers because of its similar printing temperature

Well, it depends. PLA or ABS are the best options for beginners to 3D printing. PLA is considered to be the most easy filament to print. PETG is considered an intermediate filament between ABS, PLA and PLA. These details are explained below in each 3D printing filament type.

PLA blends are available with many of the same attributes, so you can print amazing glow-in-the dark, clear, or conductive designs. PLA is the most flexible filament. PLA filaments can be used to make specialized projects.

These flexible filaments can be used to make flexible parts. TPU, PET and other flexible materials are also available. You can read more about them in the flexible filament section of this guide.

Experts who want to use the strongest filaments for 3D printing may prefer PC, Nylon or Carbon-filled, but they are more expensive.

Temperature of 3D printing: 220 to 190C

Heating bed available at 40-60C

Not required to heat chamber

Glass transition temperature is 60-65C

PLA, which is now the most commonly used filament by makers around the world, was developed by the Rep. Rap movement. Vik Olliver, the co-creator of PLA, discovered its potential as a 3D printer while searching for a filament suitable for his first Rep. Rap machines. PLA has been used for 3D printing all kinds of models by millions around the world for 15 years. PLA’s unique properties as a filament that is both very affordable and biodegradable have made it a household name.

PLA is not as hot to print filament than ABS. However, we recommend that you use a heated bed for best results. You don’t need a heated chamber or enclosed build area , making it a favorite of DIY 3D printer owners which typically have open print areas.

While 3D printer filaments such as ABS or ASA use plastic compounds, PLA uses renewable and biodegradable crop starch. PLA is the eco-warrior’s favorite filament. PLA prints with no toxic fumes or foul odors unlike ABS.

3D printing temperatures: 230-2250C

Warm bed recommended for 75-90C

Glass transition temperature is around 80C

PETG is PET with additional glycol added to it in order for it to have better 3D printing properties. PET is widely used to make water bottles as well as in injection molding, with glycol added to make it less brittle and improve improve impact resistance and durability.

The main advantages of PETG filament are that it has good impact resistance and fantastic thermal characteristics, but without the problems with warping associated with ABS or brittleness associated with PLA. PETG filament has been gaining popularity because it is an excellent third choice when deciding between ABS or PLA.

PETG 3D printing has the greatest layer adhesion. PETG’s stickiness is great for layer adhesion. This makes PETG a good choice for making long, thin parts. ABS would be unable to do this.

Below are the recommended PETG options: