3D Printing Filament Types – Complete Guide
Walk into any filament store — physical or online — and the choice is overwhelming. PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU,
Materials
Real world notes on PLA, PETG, TPU and more, based on prints not datasheets.
What Is PC (Polycarbonate)?
Polycarbonate is the material that appears in bulletproof glass, riot shields, and aircraft canopies, and that pedigree tells you almost
What Is Dual Colour PLA?
Dual colour PLA is a single strand of filament with two distinct colours built into its cross-section — not a
What is nylon (PA)?
Nylon, referred to in the filament world as PA (polyamide), is what engineers reach for when a part genuinely needs
What Is Silk PLA?
The worst filament post on this site was about one specific bad spool, not the category it belonged to. Yuaneang’s
What Is PVA?
PVA — polyvinyl alcohol — is a water-soluble filament used almost exclusively as a support material rather than as something
The Worst Filament I’ve Ever Used: Yuaneang Silk PLA
I have been through several hundred spools of filament over the years across more brands than I could list from
What is PCTG?
PETG has been the default step-up material for most FDM hobbyists for years — the answer to “I need something
What is PLA-CF?
Standard PLA is excellent at what it does. It is easy to print, produces clean surface detail, and covers the
What is ABS?
ABS is one of the oldest materials in FDM 3D printing and one of the most misunderstood. It has a
What is ASA?
Most 3D printing filament decisions are driven by convenience. PLA because it is easy. PETG because it is slightly more
What is TPU?
Overview TPU is a flexible filament used for grips, bumpers, shock-absorbing parts, and anything that needs to compress or bend.