Filament guides
Guides to choosing, printing and storing filament. Check product-specific manufacturer instructions and safety data before applying settings to your printer.
Which filament should you use for outdoor projects?
A 3D-printable garden hook is going to live in the rain, the sun, and a hot summer afternoon. Most filaments fail in those conditions — fast.
Read the guide →PLA vs PETG: which should you choose?
The most-asked question in 3D printing. Here's the practical decision framework: temperature, strength, print difficulty, and the situations where each one wins.
Read the guide →How to dry filament properly
Wet filament is the hidden cause of most mysterious print failures. Per-material drying temperatures, equipment options, and what actually works.
Read the guide →How to store 3D printer filament
The practical storage hierarchy from cheap to premium. What you actually need, by filament type and use case.
Read the guide →Best filament for outdoor use in 2026
ASA, PETG, ABS, or specialty outdoor filaments? The practical comparison for parts that need to survive UV, weather, and temperature swings.
Read the guide →First layer adhesion problems: a complete guide
First-layer issues cause more failed prints than any other 3D printing problem. The systematic approach to diagnosing and fixing them.
Read the guide →Filament buying guide for 2026
What actually matters when buying 3D printer filament: diameter consistency, packaging, brand reliability, and how to evaluate filaments before bulk orders.
Read the guide →ABS vs ASA for outdoor printing: which one actually holds up?
ABS and ASA look nearly identical on paper, but their real-world outdoor performance is dramatically different. UV resistance, heat tolerance, and which one to choose.
Read the guide →TPU flexible filament: the complete printing guide
TPU is the most useful flexible filament for 3D printing, but it punishes bad printer setups. Print speed, retraction, direct drive vs Bowden, and the applications where it excels.
Read the guide →Nylon filament: the complete beginner's guide to printing PA
Nylon is the strongest common 3D printing filament, but also the most demanding. Drying requirements, enclosure setup, bed adhesion, and which nylon to start with.
Read the guide →How to fix stringing and oozing in 3D prints
Stringing is one of the most common 3D printing problems. The systematic approach: retraction settings, temperature, travel speed, and the settings that actually fix it.
Read the guide →Filament diameter tolerance: why it matters and how to measure it
Filament diameter consistency is the hidden factor behind unexplained print quality variation. What the tolerance specs mean, how to measure your filament, and which brands deliver.
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