The Filament

Very good value + generally consistent; Spectrum budget PLA/PETG sub-brand

Tier B

The Filament is a Tier B brand: solid value with generally consistent quality, but some batch-to-batch variability has been reported. We rate them this way because of 3d printing journal and filament2print describe the filament as spectrum's answer to cheap chinese imports with polish-made budget pla at roughly 15 eur/kg and spectrum's own comparison positions it below pla premium on gloss and precision, but above no-name imports for eu buyers. Materials available from The Filament include PLA, PLA Matte, PLA CF, PLA High Speed, HT-PLA, and PETG. In day-to-day printing, The Filament stands out for: bambu ams-compatible cardboard refill cores available. Spools typically run $12-$18 per kilogram.

Why Tier B?

  • 3D Printing Journal and Filament2Print describe The Filament as Spectrum's answer to cheap Chinese imports with Polish-made budget PLA at roughly 15 EUR/kg
  • Spectrum's own comparison positions it below PLA Premium on gloss and precision, but above no-name imports for EU buyers

Pros

  • Polish-made budget line from Spectrum with ReFill master-spool option
  • Bambu AMS-compatible cardboard Refill cores available
  • Matte and high-speed variants at aggressive EU street pricing
  • Low shrinkage PLA suited to open-frame printers per Spectrum guidance

Cons

  • Less QC transparency than Spectrum PLA Premium Verify Your Spool reports
  • Newer sub-brand with thinner independent community history than parent Spectrum
  • Matte finish trades gloss for visible layer lines versus Premium line

Additional Notes

  • Spectrum Filaments budget sub-brand launched to compete with import PLA

The Filament Filament FAQ

What materials does The Filament make?

The Filament produces filament in the following materials: PLA, PLA Matte, PLA CF, PLA High Speed, HT-PLA, PETG, PETG CF. Each material is suited to different print applications - check our material database for printing temperatures and specs.

What tier is The Filament filament rated?

The Filament is rated Tier B by Filament Cheat Sheet because of 3d printing journal and filament2print describe the filament as spectrum's answer to cheap chinese imports with polish-made budget pla at roughly 15 eur/kg and spectrum's own comparison positions it below pla premium on gloss and precision, but above no-name imports for eu buyers.

Is The Filament good for beginners?

The Filament can work for beginners, especially given the price point. Just be aware that some batch variability has been reported, so a temperature tower print is a good first step.

What are the pros and cons of The Filament filament?

Pros of The Filament: Polish-made budget line from Spectrum with ReFill master-spool option; Bambu AMS-compatible cardboard Refill cores available; Matte and high-speed variants at aggressive EU street pricing; Low shrinkage PLA suited to open-frame printers per Spectrum guidance. Considerations: Less QC transparency than Spectrum PLA Premium Verify Your Spool reports; Newer sub-brand with thinner independent community history than parent Spectrum; Matte finish trades gloss for visible layer lines versus Premium line.

How much does The Filament filament cost?

The Filament filament typically costs between $12 and $18 per kilogram, depending on the material and color. Specialty composite or engineering-grade materials sit at the upper end of that range.

Where can I buy The Filament filament?

The Filament filament is sold directly through Spectrum Filaments at https://spectrumfilaments.com/en/filament/the-filament-pla/. It is not generally stocked on Amazon.