Which Filament Should I Use for My 3D Printer?

When you get to the question which 3D filament to use when printing 3D models, the answer is usually PLA (polylactide) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

There are many other types of 3D filament, but PLA and ABS have become widely accepted due to their print quality and varied applications. However, you should know that the quality of 3D printing filament varies extremely depending on the manufacturer. This in turn affects the printing.

Source: Dominik Russig (@d3dcreative)

Generally, we would recommend the use of normal PLA as 3D filament for the 3D printing of our tool holders, especially for beginners. Experience has shown that it is the easiest 3D filament to print and the most stable. PLA is partially biodegradable, as it is a biopolymer made from renewable raw materials such as corn starch and sugar cane.

ABS is even more stable as a 3D filament, but is not necessarily beneficial to health. It belongs to the terpolymers.

Source: Dominik Russig (@d3dcreative)

If you want to make your 3D holder more visually appealing, you can use 3D printing filament that is mixed with fibers such as wood. This transfers the feel and look of wood to the holder.

If you are still unsure and do not yet have your own 3D printer, you can first use our Community Printing Service to familiarize yourself as a beginner with the topic of 3D printing.

In the following Creator Masterclass video Felipe from MakerBot gives you a basic introduction into the main 3D printing material options and which ones are right for your applications.

You can find all our 3D printing designs for free in our shop.