The Complete Filament Guide

Choosing the right filament is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a 3D printing enthusiast. Each material has unique properties that make it ideal for certain applications. Use this guide to find the perfect filament for your next project.

📌 Note: The temperature ranges and properties listed in this guide are general industry standards. Always refer to your specific filament's datasheet or manufacturer recommendations for exact settings, as values can vary between brands.

PLA+ (Polylactic Acid Plus)

PLA+ is an enhanced version of standard PLA – tougher, less brittle, and with a better surface finish. It's the most beginner-friendly filament available and the go-to choice for visual and decorative prints.

Best For:

• Prototypes and concept models – Fast to print and easy to iterate
• Decorative items – Figurines, display models, vases, artistic pieces
• Educational projects – Ideal for classrooms and learning environments
• Low-stress mechanical parts – Brackets, clips, and housings that won't face heavy loads
• Indoor use – Desk organisers, phone stands, cable management

Key Properties:

• Printing temperature: 200–230°C
• Minimal warping, no heated bed required
• Low odour during printing
• Biodegradable and eco-friendly
• Softens around 60°C – not suitable for high-heat environments
• Not ideal for outdoor or prolonged UV exposure

Real-World Examples:

A custom desk nameplate, a miniature architectural model, a board game piece replacement, or a decorative plant pot holder. If it sits on a shelf and won't face heat or moisture, PLA+ is your go-to.

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

PETG bridges the gap between PLA+ and engineering-grade filaments. It's tough, slightly flexible, and handles real-world conditions far better than PLA+. A fantastic all-rounder for functional prints.

Best For:

• Functional parts – Mechanical components, jigs, fixtures, enclosures
• Outdoor use – Garden tools, outdoor mounts, signage
• Food-safe applications – Containers and utensils (when printed correctly)
• High-temperature environments – Near electronics or in warm spaces
• Water-resistant items – Bathroom organisers, waterproof enclosures

Key Properties:

• Printing temperature: 230–250°C
• Higher impact resistance than PLA+
• Good chemical resistance
• Semi-flexible – less brittle under stress
• Heat resistant up to ~80°C
• Slight stringing – tune your retraction settings

Real-World Examples:

A camera mount for outdoor use, a protective electronics enclosure, a replacement washing machine part, or a water bottle holder for your bike. If your print needs to survive the real world, PETG delivers.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

ABS is a classic engineering filament known for its toughness and high heat resistance. It's the material used in LEGO bricks and many automotive parts. It requires more care to print than PLA+ or PETG, but rewards you with incredibly strong, heat-resistant results.

Coming soon to Filentra – available in 2027.

Best For:

• High-heat applications – Parts near engines, heaters, or hot environments
• Strong mechanical parts – Gears, levers, structural components
• Post-processing – Can be sanded, painted, and acetone-smoothed to a glass-like finish
• Automotive and industrial use – Brackets, housings, protective covers

Key Properties:

• Printing temperature: 220–250°C
• Heated bed required (90–110°C)
• Prone to warping – enclosed printer recommended
• Heat resistant up to ~100°C
• Emits fumes during printing – ensure good ventilation

Real-World Examples:

A custom car interior trim piece, a replacement gear for a power tool, a protective housing for electronics in a hot garage, or a functional prop that needs to be sanded and painted smooth.

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)

ASA is essentially ABS's outdoor-ready sibling. It shares ABS's strength and heat resistance but adds outstanding UV and weather resistance, making it the best choice for anything that lives outside.

Coming soon to Filentra – available in 2027.

Best For:

• Outdoor installations – Garden fixtures, outdoor signage, street-facing mounts
• Automotive exteriors – Mirror housings, antenna mounts, trim pieces
• Marine and poolside use – Resists moisture and chlorine
• Long-term functional parts – Anything that needs to last years in the sun

Key Properties:

• Printing temperature: 230–260°C
• Heated bed required (90–110°C)
• Excellent UV resistance – colours won't fade outdoors
• Heat resistant up to ~100°C
• Similar warping tendency to ABS – enclosed printer recommended

Real-World Examples:

A weatherproof enclosure for a smart garden sensor, a custom letterbox number plate, a roof rack accessory for your vehicle, or outdoor camera housing that stays sharp-looking after years in the sun.

Quick Comparison

Still Not Sure?

A simple rule of thumb:

• Decorative or indoor? → PLA+
• Functional or light outdoor use? → PETG
• High heat or heavy mechanical stress? → ABS
• Long-term outdoor exposure? → ASA

Browse our current range of PLA+ filaments and PETG filaments, and stay tuned for ABS and ASA coming in 2027!