Material Selection & Care
Choose a material for the part and keep it in the right condition.
Which filament suits the part I need?
Material selection is a decision tree, not a guess. The choice depends on whether the part is visual or functional, and what environmental or mechanical stresses it will face.
The Decision Framework
1. Visual/Aesthetic Parts
- • Primary concern: Appearance and surface finish
- • Secondary: Basic dimensional stability
- • Materials: PLA, PLA+ (any colour, matte/silk options)
- • Post-processing: Sanding, priming, painting
2. Functional Prototypes
- • Primary concern: Fit and form testing
- • Secondary: Representative mechanical properties
- • Materials: PLA+, PETG (close to production materials)
- • Testing: Assembly verification, ergonomic evaluation
3. End-Use Functional Parts
- • Primary concern: Mechanical and environmental performance
- • Secondary: Long-term reliability
- • Materials: Application-dependent (see below)
Environmental Considerations
- UV exposure → Consider a grade with documented weathering performance, such as an appropriate ASA.
- Moisture/chemicals → PETG, PP
- High temperature → Compare the grade’s heat-deflection data and test conditions with your part’s load and operating temperature.
- Outdoor use → Check UV exposure, moisture, temperature cycling and service-life requirements together.
Mechanical Considerations
- Impact resistance → PETG, ABS, Nylons
- Stiffness → PLA, carbon-filled materials
- Flexibility → TPU, TPR
- Wear resistance → PA (Nylon), PP
KEY_POINTS
- Visual parts → PLA/PLA+ (aesthetics priority)
- Functional parts → Material depends on environment and loads
- UV exposure → ASA is the only reliable choice
- Start with PLA+ prototypes, graduate to production materials
Which material properties should I compare?
Each material family has distinct characteristics that affect printability and performance. Understanding these prevents costly failures.
PLA & PLA+
Print temp: 190-220°C | Bed: 50-60°C
Pros: Easy to print, minimal warping, plant-based feedstock
Cons: Low heat resistance (55°C), brittle, UV degradation
Applications: Prototypes, visual models, low-stress parts
PETG
Print temp: 220-245°C | Bed: 70-85°C
Pros: Chemical resistance, good layer adhesion, flexibility
Cons: Stringing, prone to moisture absorption
Applications: Functional parts, enclosures, outdoor (with caveats)
ABS & ASA
Print temp: 235-260°C | Bed: 95-110°C
Pros: UV stable (ASA), weather resistant, heat resistant (105°C)
Cons: Same printing challenges as ABS, requires enclosure
Applications: Outdoor use, signage, automotive exterior
Specialty Materials
TPU/TPR
Flexible, abrasion resistant, vibration damping. Slow printing, requires direct drive.
Nylon (PA6, PA12)
Exceptional strength, wear resistance. Extreme moisture sensitivity, requires drying.
KEY_POINTS
- PLA: Easy, but limited heat and UV resistance
- PETG: Versatile functional material, watch for moisture
- ABS/ASA: Heat resistant, require enclosure and ventilation
- Nylon: Highest performance, but demanding to print
How should I store and dry filament?
Many printing polymers absorb moisture from the air. The rate and its effect depend on the material, its condition and the surrounding air; there is no universal number of safe days on an open shelf.
How can moisture affect a print?
Popping, bubbles, stringing and a rough surface can be clues. They are not proof by themselves: temperature, extrusion and other conditions can produce similar symptoms. Compare a representative print and record what changed.
Store
Keep dry filament in an intact sealed bag or container with maintained desiccant.
Dry if needed
Use the material maker's method and equipment that controls the specified conditions.
Protect while printing
Where the material requires it, feed from suitable dry storage to limit exposure.
Is a sealed bag enough for storage?
For dry filament between jobs, an intact resealable bag with maintained desiccant may be all you need. Check the seal and keep the material identity with the spool. A storage cabinet can make a larger working library easier to manage; it does not automatically replace a dryer.
Our filament arrives dry in sealed foil-laminate packaging, ready to print without an initial drying cycle when the bag is intact. Keep that bag for storage. For other products, follow their supplier's instructions.
When should I dry filament?
After moisture exposure, use the material maker's drying instructions when needed. Check the exact filament, spool and equipment limits before choosing a cycle. A vacuum seal or a fresh desiccant pack does not establish that absorbed moisture has been removed.
Moisture-sensitive materials may need protected feeding during a print as well as storage between jobs. Review the setup for the length of your job and your workshop conditions.
Use the drying procedureWhat matters when loading or unloading filament?
Proper filament handling prevents jams, clogs, and wasted material. These procedures apply to both Bowden and direct drive systems.
Loading Procedure
- Cut filament end at 45° angle (sharp tip aids feeding)
- Preheat hotend to material temperature
- Release tension on extruder gear
- Insert filament through guide tube to extruder
- Engage extruder — filament should advance smoothly
- Purge until clean, consistent extrusion
Unloading Procedure
- Heat hotend to print temperature
- Extrude 20-30mm to ensure flow
- Quickly retract filament (fast retraction prevents plug)
- Pull filament completely out
- Inspect tip — should be clean, not bulbous
Common Issues
Jams at Heatbreak
Cause: Heat creep (heat traveling up from hotend)
Prevention: Adequate cooling, proper retraction settings
Grinding at Extruder
Cause: Too much resistance, clog forming
Prevention: Temperature verification, clean nozzle
KEY_POINTS
- Cut filament at 45° angle for easy feeding
- Quick retraction when unloading prevents plugs
- Purge thoroughly when switching materials
- Secure filament ends — tangles cause failures
What changes when I use recycled filament?
Recycled content tells you about the feedstock. It does not, by itself, establish the performance of your finished part. Compare the material data and test the job you need it to do.
rPLA (Recycled PLA)
STANDARD rPLA contains 90% recycled material and has a matte finish. Use its material profile and datasheet as the reference; do not add a fixed temperature increase just because the material is recycled.
rPETG (Recycled PETG)
STANDARD rPETG contains 90% recycled material. Check its material data against the application, and follow the same evidence-based storage and moisture checks used for other filaments.
Recycled shades can vary between batches. For a project that needs consistent colour, order the full quantity together and confirm a physical sample where colour matters.
Keep the material stream identifiable
Avoid mixing polymers and keep material labels with collected waste. Check current acceptance, preparation and return instructions before sending material for recycling.
Read the recycling instructionsLearn on your own equipment.
Practise setup, slicing and printing with a trainer.