Beginner's Guide to 3D Printing Filaments
Everything you need to know to start your 3D printing journey. From choosing your first filament to understanding what equipment you'll need.
1. Best Filaments for Beginners
Start with these materials. They're forgiving, widely available, and perfect for learning the basics of 3D printing.
PLA
Polylactic Acid
Easiest to print, cheap, widely available, fast, good bridges/overhangs, easy support removal
PETG
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-modified
Tougher than PLA, higher temp tolerance, more durable in real-world use
TPU
Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Perfect layer adhesion; extremely impact resistant; nearly indestructible
Recommended Starter Set
- PLA (general prints)
- PETG (functional parts)
- TPU 95A (flexible parts, only after comfortable with PLA/PETG)
2. Keys to Print Success
These factors matter more than which specific brand you buy. Get these right and you'll have successful prints with almost any decent filament.
3. Equipment You'll Eventually Want
You don't need all of this immediately, but as you progress, these tools will make printing easier and open up more material options.
Dry box or filament dryer
Essential for hygroscopic materials like Nylon, TPU, PETG
Hardened steel or ruby nozzle
Required for abrasive filaments (CF/GF/glow/metal/wood)
Enclosure
Needed for warp-prone and fume-prone materials (ABS/ASA/PC/PA)
0.6mm nozzle
Better for filled filaments and high-flow printing (reduces clogging)
4. What to Avoid (For Now)
These materials are great but require additional equipment or experience. Save them for later when you're more comfortable with printing basics.
Needs Enclosure + Ventilation
- -ABS
- -ASA
- -PC
These materials warp heavily and produce fumes that need proper ventilation.
Needs Filament Dryer
- -Nylon/PA
- -PVA/BVOH
- -TPU (if humid conditions)
These materials absorb moisture quickly and print poorly when wet.
5. Filament Basics
Common Diameters
Always check your printer's specifications before buying filament.
Typical Spool Sizes
1kg spools are most common. Larger sizes offer better value for frequently used colors.
6. Next Steps
Ready to learn more? Here are some recommended next steps: