Choosing the right filament is one of the most important decisions in any 3D printing project. Each material has unique properties that make it suited to different applications — from decorative prototypes to functional mechanical parts. In this guide, we break down the most common filaments so you can make the right call for your next print.
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
The beginner-friendly all-rounder.
PLA is the most widely used 3D printing filament and for good reason. It's made from renewable resources (typically corn starch), prints at low temperatures, and doesn't require a heated bed. It produces minimal warping and virtually no odour during printing.
- Print temperature: 190–220°C
- Bed temperature: 20–60°C (often not needed)
- Strength: Moderate — rigid but brittle under impact
- Heat resistance: Low — softens around 55–65°C
- Best for: Prototypes, display models, cosplay props, low-stress parts
- Avoid for: Anything exposed to heat (car dashboards, outdoor summer use) or high mechanical stress
PLA is available in a huge range of colours and specialty finishes including matte, silk, marble, and even wood-fill variants. If you're new to 3D printing, start here.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
The tough, heat-resistant workhorse.
ABS has been a staple in manufacturing for decades — it's the same plastic used in LEGO bricks. It's tougher than PLA, more flexible, and handles heat significantly better. The trade-off is that it's harder to print: it warps easily, produces fumes that require ventilation, and needs an enclosed printer for best results.
- Print temperature: 220–260°C
- Bed temperature: 90–110°C
- Strength: Good — tough with some flexibility
- Heat resistance: Good — withstands up to ~100°C
- Best for: Functional parts, enclosures, automotive components, parts that need post-processing (acetone smoothing)
- Avoid for: Open-air printers without ventilation, highly detailed prints
ABS is still popular in industry, but for many hobbyists it's been largely replaced by PETG and ASA which offer similar benefits with easier printing.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
The best of both worlds.
PETG combines the ease of printing of PLA with much of the strength and heat resistance of ABS. It's the material of choice when you need functional parts that hold up in the real world. It's also food-safe (when printed on a clean nozzle), chemically resistant, and doesn't warp nearly as much as ABS.
- Print temperature: 220–250°C
- Bed temperature: 70–90°C
- Strength: Very good — strong and somewhat flexible
- Heat resistance: Moderate — withstands ~80°C
- Best for: Mechanical parts, outdoor use, food containers, functional prototypes
- Avoid for: Parts requiring fine detail (PETG can be stringy)
If you could only use one filament for functional parts, PETG would be a strong choice. It's our go-to recommendation for customers needing durable, real-world prints.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
The flexible, rubber-like filament.
TPU is an elastomer — a flexible, rubber-like material that can bend, stretch, and compress. It's ideal for anything that needs to absorb impact or flex during use. Printing with TPU requires a direct-drive extruder (Bowden setups struggle with flexible filaments) and slower print speeds.
- Print temperature: 220–250°C
- Bed temperature: 40–60°C
- Strength: Excellent impact resistance — very hard to break
- Flexibility: High (Shore hardness typically 85A–95A)
- Best for: Phone cases, vibration dampeners, gaskets, grips, wheels, wearables
- Avoid for: Rigid structural parts, high-precision prints
Nylon (Polyamide)
The engineering-grade performer.
Nylon is exceptionally strong, wear-resistant, and self-lubricating — making it ideal for mechanical components like gears, bearings, and hinges. However, it's hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air), which means it must be stored in a dry box and ideally dried before printing.
- Print temperature: 240–270°C
- Bed temperature: 70–90°C
- Strength: Excellent — strong, flexible, and wear-resistant
- Heat resistance: Good — withstands ~80–120°C depending on blend
- Best for: Gears, bearings, hinges, snap-fit parts, industrial prototypes
- Avoid for: Beginners — requires dry storage and careful tuning
ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)
ABS's weather-resistant cousin.
ASA shares many of ABS's mechanical properties but adds excellent UV resistance and weatherability. This makes it the go-to choice for outdoor applications where the part will be exposed to sunlight and rain. It still requires an enclosed printer and good ventilation, but it's slightly less prone to warping than ABS.
- Print temperature: 230–260°C
- Bed temperature: 90–110°C
- Strength: Good — comparable to ABS
- UV resistance: Excellent — won't yellow or degrade in sunlight
- Best for: Outdoor signage, garden fixtures, automotive trim, weatherproof enclosures
- Avoid for: Indoor-only parts (use PETG instead for easier printing)
Specialty Filaments
Beyond the standard materials, there's a growing range of specialty filaments worth knowing about:
- Carbon Fibre Filled (CF-PLA, CF-PETG, CF-Nylon): Chopped carbon fibre mixed into a base filament. Increases stiffness and reduces weight but is abrasive — requires a hardened steel nozzle.
- Wood Fill PLA: Contains real wood particles for a natural look and feel. Can be stained and sanded. Mostly decorative.
- Metal Fill PLA: Contains metal powder (bronze, copper, steel). Heavy, can be polished to a metallic finish. Decorative use only.
- PC (Polycarbonate): Extremely strong and heat-resistant (up to 150°C), but requires very high temperatures and an enclosed printer. Used in engineering applications.
Quick Comparison Table
| Filament | Ease of Printing | Strength | Heat Resistance | Flexibility | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Easy | Moderate | Low | Rigid | Prototypes, display |
| ABS | Hard | Good | Good | Slight | Functional parts |
| PETG | Moderate | Very Good | Moderate | Slight | All-round functional |
| TPU | Moderate | Impact-resistant | Moderate | High | Flexible parts |
| Nylon | Hard | Excellent | Good | Moderate | Mechanical parts |
| ASA | Hard | Good | Good | Slight | Outdoor use |
How to Choose
Ask yourself these questions:
- Will it be functional or decorative? Decorative → PLA. Functional → PETG, ABS, or Nylon.
- Will it be exposed to heat? If yes, avoid PLA. Consider ABS, ASA, or Nylon.
- Will it be outdoors? ASA is your best bet. PETG is also decent.
- Does it need to flex? TPU is your only real option.
- Does it need to withstand mechanical wear? Nylon or carbon fibre composites.
Not sure which material suits your project? Get a quote from us and we'll recommend the best filament for your specific application.