3D printer filament

What you should know about filaments

Having a 3D printer at home is no longer unusual. Whether it's spare parts, cool gadgets or customised decorations: you can easily produce many things yourself - when and where you want. This not only saves time and money, but also transport routes and CO₂. In short: 3D printing is a real game changer!

When you work with FDM 3D printing, filament is your most important raw material. Basically, these are plastic threads on rolls that your printer heats up in the hot end, liquefies and moulds layer by layer into your desired object. Thanks to the thermoplastic properties of the material, it becomes soft when heated and can be processed with great precision. Forget ink - filament is more like liquid concrete that hardens and delivers super-robust results. The real magic happens during the printing process itself: The printer presses the molten material through the nozzle, which builds up your model layer by layer. And don't worry - you don't have to be a professional to get started!

The basics: diameter and colours

►Diameter: Filaments are available in 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm as standard. Most desktop 3D printers work with 1.75 mm because it is more flexible to process and puts less strain on the extruder. Larger diameters (2.85 mm) tend to be used in specialised professional printers and often offer a little more grip.

►Colours: Whether multicoloured, neon, glow-in-the-dark or metal look - the choice of colours is huge. With single-extruder printers, you can select the colour for each print job; with dual or multi-extruder printers, you can even combine colours during the process. Multicolour and multi-material printing are no longer high-end features, but are also available for many consumer devices!

What filaments are available and what can they do?

The world of 3D printing filaments is huge - and new ones are constantly being added! There are countless materials in a wide variety of colours, properties and combinations. From classic to exotic, super-flexible to metal-filled. If we were to list every single filament here, we wouldn't be finished tomorrow! That's why you'll find a selection of the most popular and exciting filaments here to help you get started and give you an overview of what's possible.

PLA (polylactic acid):

The perfect all-rounder for beginners! PLA is made from renewable raw materials such as corn starch and is biodegradable. It is easy to print, hardly warps and does not require a heated printing bed. Ideal for decoration, prototypes and beginner projects!

PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol)

PETG is the perfect mixture of PLA and ABS. It is robust, temperature-resistant and easy to print at the same time. Perfect for mechanical components, housings or outdoor parts.

ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)

Tough, robust and heat-resistant - ABS is great for technical applications. However, you need a heated printing bed and preferably a closed housing because it tends to warp and emits fumes.

TPU / TPE (thermoplastic polyurethane / elastomers)

These flexible filaments are like rubber - perfect for mobile phone covers, seals or any project where flexibility is important. A little experience doesn't hurt here because the printing is a little trickier.

PVA (polyvinyl alcohol)

Water-soluble support material for complex prints with overhangs and moving parts. Works great in combination with PLA or PETG if you have a dual-extruder printer.

HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene)

Soluble in D-limonene - often used as a support material for ABS printing. It is stable, easy to print and versatile.

Speciality filaments: Wood and Stone

This is where it gets fancy! Stone filament contains real stone particles and wood real wood fibres. This allows you to create super-realistic stone or wood looks. You can even change the surface structure by controlling the temperature.

Metal filaments (bronze, copper, brass)

These mixed filaments are made of plastic with real metal particles. The result? Models with real weight, a cool metal look and the option to grind and polish them. Ideal for jewellery, figurines or art projects.

Carbon filaments

Are you looking for a 3D printing material that offers maximum stability with minimum weight? Then carbon filaments are just the thing for you! These high-performance filaments consist of a mixture of thermoplastic (such as PLA, PETG or nylon) and fine carbon fibres that make your print objects extremely stable, stiff and light.