Material Guide – The Best Filament For Beginners
The Best 3D Printing Filament for Beginners
As a beginner stepping into the exciting world of 3D printing, choosing the right filament can make or break your experience. The type of filament you use not only affects the quality of your prints but also determines how easy or challenging the process will be. In this guide, we’ll explore the best filaments for beginners, focusing on ease of use, versatility, and affordability.
3D printing filaments come in various types, each with unique properties that suit different applications. For beginners, it’s essential to start with materials that are forgiving and easy to handle while providing excellent results. The most common types of filaments include PLA, PETG, TPU, and eco-friendly options such as recycled PLA (rPLA) and recycled PET (rPET) from Formfutura. Understanding the characteristics of these materials will help you make informed choices and set a solid foundation for your 3D printing journey.
In the following sections, we’ll dive deeper into each filament type, discussing their pros and cons, ideal uses, and tips for achieving the best results. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of which filament aligns best with your needs and projects, helping you embark on your 3D printing adventure with confidence.
1. PLA: The Perfect Starting Point.
Recommended level: beginner
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is widely regarded as the go-to filament for beginners, and for good reason. Its forgiving nature and environmentally friendly properties make it an excellent choice for those new to 3D printing. Whether you’re creating decorative models or functional prototypes, PLA offers reliability and ease of use.
Why Beginners Love PLA
PLA stands out due to its ease of use, requiring relatively low printing temperatures (190-220°C) and not needing a heated bed, which simplifies the printing process. It is also one of the most environmentally friendly filaments available, as it is often made from renewable resources like cornstarch and is biodegradable under the right conditions.
Additionally, PLA’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from creating decorative models to crafting functional prototypes, ensuring that beginners can explore a variety of projects without complications.
Tips for Success:
Keep the print environment cool, as PLA can deform at higher ambient temperatures.
Store PLA in a dry place to prevent moisture absorption, which can lead to print defects.
Product Recommendations from Formfutura:
EasyFil PLA: A beginner-friendly option with excellent print quality and vibrant colors.
ReForm rPLA: An eco-friendly alternative made from recycled PLA, offering the same reliable performance as traditional PLA.
ReFill PLA: Ideal for eco-friendly 3D printing without additional challenges.
- EasyFil ePLA: The go-to PLA filament for easy and accessible 3D printing. This affordable 3D printing filament allows you to experiment without breaking the bank!
ReFill PLA
EasyFil ePLA
ReForm – rPLA
EasyFil PLA
2. PETG: A Beginner-Friendly Step Up
Recommended level: Beginner
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) is an excellent filament choice for beginners ready to experiment with more robust materials. Combining the ease of PLA with the durability of ABS, PETG offers a balance of user-friendliness and performance. Its strength and flexibility make it ideal for functional parts, while its water resistance makes it suitable for projects exposed to moisture. Although PETG requires slightly higher printing temperatures (230-250°C) and a heated bed, it’s significantly less prone to warping compared to ABS, making it an accessible step up for novice users.
Tips for Success:
Use a heated bed set to 70-90°C to prevent warping.
Print at slower speeds to achieve better surface quality.
Product Recommendations from Formfutura:
EasyFil PET: A reliable and easy-to-use PETG filament with excellent layer adhesion.
ReForm rPET: A sustainable PETG option made from recycled materials, offering the same high performance as traditional PETG.
- ReFill PETG: Manufactured for usage with our re-useable master spools. Refill PETG is the most sustainable filament to 3D print with!
ReFill PETG
ReForm – rPET
HDglass
EasyFil PET
3. TPU: Exploring Flexibility
Recommended level: Advanced
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is a flexible filament that introduces exciting possibilities for creating soft, bendable objects like phone cases, gaskets, or wearables. While slightly more challenging to work with than PLA or PETG, TPU is beginner-friendly with the right setup and offers excellent durability and elasticity.
TPU’s defining feature is its flexibility, making it ideal for projects requiring stretchable, impact-resistant, or shock-absorbing components. Additionally, TPU is highly durable, resistant to abrasion, and designed to endure wear and tear, making it suitable for both functional and decorative applications. Its versatility allows beginners to experiment with a wide range of designs and expand their printing skills.
Tips for Success:
Use a direct-drive extruder for better filament control and reduced risk of filament tangling.
Print at slower speeds to ensure smooth and accurate prints.
Product Recommendations from Formfutura:
Python Flex 90A:
Python Flex 98A: Provides a matte finish for professional-looking flexible prints.
Python Flex TPU 90A
Python Flex TPU 98A
Eco-Friendly Filaments: Sustainable Solutions for the Future
Recommended level: Beginner
As sustainability takes center stage, eco-friendly filaments like bio-based PLA blends and recycled PETG (rPET) are becoming increasingly popular. These options enable beginners to create stunning prints while minimizing environmental impact, proving that high-quality results and eco-consciousness can go hand in hand.
Eco-friendly filaments provide an excellent way to reduce waste and carbon footprint. Materials like recycled PLA (rPLA) and recycled PET (rPET) from Formfutura maintain the same high performance as their non-recycled counterparts, making them a fantastic choice for environmentally conscious creators. Additionally, these filaments ensure reliable print quality, demonstrating that sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on results.
Tips for Success:
Store eco-friendly filaments in a dry, moisture-free environment to maintain their integrity.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended print settings to achieve the best possible results.
Product Recommendations from Formfutura:
ReForm rPLA: A recycled PLA filament that’s easy to use, sustainable, and perfect for beginners.
ReForm rPET: A durable and eco-conscious PETG alternative made entirely from recycled materials.
EasyFil PLA: Combines user-friendliness with sustainability for versatile, high-quality prints.
Conclusion
The start of your 3D printing journey is an exciting time filled with creativity and innovation. Choosing the right filament is a crucial step in ensuring a positive and rewarding experience. Whether you opt for the simplicity of PLA, the durability of PETG, the flexibility of TPU, or the sustainability of eco-friendly options like rPLA and rPET, there’s a filament to match every beginner’s needs.
By understanding the unique characteristics and best practices for each material, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle your first projects with confidence. Formfutura’s range of high-quality filaments ensures that you have access to reliable, sustainable, and beginner-friendly options to bring your creations to life. Happy printing!