The right filament settings are the difference between a clean print and a stringy, warped mess. This is a practical, no-fluff reference for every common 3D printing material — the exact nozzle and bed temperatures, cooling, retraction and bed-adhesion settings that actually work, plus what each material is good (and bad) at.

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

Temperature: Nozzle 190-220C (sweet spot: 205-210C). Bed 50-60C. Enclosure: Not needed. Open frame fine. Enclosure can cause heat creep issues. Bed Adhesion: PEI sheet (best), blue painter's tape, glue stick on glass. Cooling: 100% part cooling fan after first layer. PLA loves cooling. Speed: 40-100mm/s standard. High-speed printers: 150-300mm/s with tuned profiles. Retraction: 0.5-1mm (direct drive), 4-6mm (Bowden). Speed 30-45mm/s. Layer Height: 0.08-0.32mm. Sweet spot 0.2mm for speed/quality balance. Stringing: Low. Easy to tune out. Warping: Minimal on small/medium parts. Large flat parts can warp without brim. Heat Resistance: POOR. Glass transition 55-60C. Softens in a hot car, near a window in summer, in a dishwasher. Strength: Moderate. Stiff but brittle. Shatters rather than flexes under impact. UV Resistance: Poor. Degrades in direct sunlight over months. Not for outdoor permanent use. Moisture Sensitivity: Low-moderate. Can absorb moisture over weeks but less critical than PETG/Nylon. Drying: 45C for 4-6 hours if needed. Food Safety: Generally considered safe base polymer but pigments/additives may not be. Layer lines harbor bacteria. Not truly food-safe without food-grade coating. Post-Processing: Sands easily. Primes and paints well. Cannot be acetone smoothed (use ethyl acetate or THF — toxic, not recommended). Glues well with CA (super glue). Cost: $15-28/kg. Budget: eSUN PLA+ ($18-20/kg), Hatchbox ($22/kg). Premium: Polymaker PolyLite ($25/kg), Prusament ($30/kg). Best For: Prototyping, display pieces, cosplay props, toys, decorative items, educational prints. Common Problems: Heat creep in enclosed printers (reduce enclosure temp). Oozing on travel moves (increase retraction). Brittle after UV exposure.

PLA+ (PLA Plus)

Same temps as PLA. Slightly more impact resistant, slightly less brittle. Modified PLA with additives for toughness. eSUN PLA+ is the gold standard — $18-20/kg, prints like PLA but survives drops better. Not a dramatic improvement — still softens at 55-60C.

Silk PLA

Nozzle: 200-220C (slightly higher than standard PLA). Bed: 50-60C. Key Property: Gorgeous metallic/shiny finish straight off the printer. Weakness: Weaker layer adhesion than standard PLA. More brittle. DO NOT use for functional parts. Tips: Print slower (40-60mm/s) for best sheen. Reduce cooling to 60-80% for better layer bonding. Cost: $20-30/kg. TTYT3D, CC3D, Eryone are popular brands. Best For: Vases, decorative prints, display pieces, lithophanes, gifts.

Matte PLA

Nozzle: 200-220C. Bed: 50-60C. Key Property: Non-reflective matte finish that hides layer lines significantly. Tips: Polymaker PolyTerra PLA ($20/kg) is the gold standard matte PLA. Also eco-friendly packaging. Best For: Prints where you want minimal visible layer lines without post-processing.

Wood PLA (Wood-Fill)

Nozzle: 190-220C. CRITICAL: Temperature affects color — lower temp = lighter, higher temp = darker. You can create wood grain effects by varying temp mid-print. Bed: 50-60C. Nozzle Size: Use 0.6mm nozzle minimum. 0.4mm WILL clog with wood particles. Speed: Slow, 30-50mm/s. Wood particles can clog at speed. Retraction: Minimize — wood particles jam in retraction zone. Cost: $25-35/kg. Hatchbox Wood, ColorFabb WoodFill. Best For: Decorative pieces with natural wood look/feel. Can be sanded and stained like real wood. Warning: Clogs are the #1 issue. Clean nozzle frequently. Do not leave filament sitting hot in nozzle without printing (it will carbonize and clog).

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

Temperature: Nozzle 230-250C (sweet spot: 235-240C). Bed 70-85C. Enclosure: Not required but helps with consistency and reduces warping on large parts. Bed Adhesion: PEI sheet works great — WARNING: PETG bonds TOO well to smooth PEI. Use textured PEI or apply thin glue stick layer as release agent on smooth PEI. Cooling: 30-50% fan. Too much cooling = poor layer adhesion. Too little = stringing mess. Speed: 40-80mm/s standard. High-speed: 100-200mm/s with tuning. Retraction: 1-2mm direct drive, 4-6mm Bowden. PETG strings more than PLA — increase retraction distance by 0.5mm, consider enabling wipe. Stringing: HIGH. The #1 complaint. Increase retraction, reduce nozzle temp by 5C, increase travel speed, enable wipe/coasting in slicer. Warping: Moderate. Large flat parts will warp. Use brim (5-10mm). Heated bed essential. Heat Resistance: 75-80C glass transition. Survives in a car (barely). Better than PLA. Strength: Higher than PLA. More flexible/ductile — bends before breaking. Good impact resistance. UV Resistance: Moderate. Better than PLA for outdoor use but not UV-proof. Moisture Sensitivity: HIGH. Absorbs moisture readily. Wet PETG strings uncontrollably and pops/crackles. Dry before use if stored improperly. Drying: 65C for 4-8 hours. Food Safety: PETG is the same family as water bottles (PET). Some brands are FDA-compliant for food contact. Still, layer lines harbor bacteria — use as single-use or coat with food-safe epoxy. Post-Processing: Harder to sand than PLA. Does not acetone smooth. Primes and paints OK with proper prep. CA glue and epoxy work well. Cost: $18-28/kg. Overture ($18/kg), eSUN ($20/kg), Polymaker ($25/kg), Prusament ($30/kg). Best For: Functional parts, water-resistant items, outdoor use (short-term), mechanical components, battery holders, enclosures, anything that needs more strength than PLA. Common Problems: Stringing (see above). Sticking too hard to smooth PEI (use textured or glue stick). Elephant foot (reduce first layer flow to 95%).

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Temperature: Nozzle 230-260C (sweet spot: 240-250C). Bed 90-110C. Enclosure: REQUIRED. Non-negotiable. ABS warps catastrophically without enclosure. Target 45-60C chamber temp. Bed Adhesion: ABS slurry (ABS dissolved in acetone, painted on bed), Kapton tape, PEI with glue stick, Magigoo. Cooling: MINIMAL or OFF. 0-15% fan. ABS needs to stay hot for layer adhesion. Cooling causes cracking and warping. Speed: 40-70mm/s standard. Slower on overhangs/bridges. Retraction: 0.5-1mm direct drive, 3-5mm Bowden. Stringing: Moderate. Less than PETG if temps are dialed in. Warping: EXTREME. The defining challenge of ABS. Enclosure, heated bed, brim, draft shield — use every tool available. Large flat surfaces will warp. Design with rounded corners. Heat Resistance: 100-105C glass transition. Excellent for functional parts in warm environments. Strength: Good. More impact resistant than PLA. Good blend of stiffness and toughness. UV Resistance: POOR. Yellows and becomes brittle in sunlight. Use ASA for outdoor. Moisture Sensitivity: Low-moderate. Less hygroscopic than PETG/Nylon. Drying: 60C for 4 hours. Fumes: TOXIC. Styrene fumes are harmful with chronic exposure. Print in ventilated area or use activated carbon filtration. Do not print ABS in your bedroom with the door closed. Post-Processing: ACETONE SMOOTHING — the killer feature. ABS dissolves in acetone vapor, creating a smooth, glossy surface. Acetone vapor bath: hang part over warm acetone for 15-60 seconds. Beautiful results. Also sands, paints, and glues easily. Cost: $18-25/kg. Hatchbox ($22/kg), eSUN ($20/kg), Polymaker ($24/kg). Best For: Parts needing heat resistance, acetone-smoothable display pieces, automotive interior parts, electronic enclosures. Legacy material — ASA is often better.

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)

Temperature: Nozzle 240-260C (sweet spot: 245-255C). Bed 90-110C. Enclosure: Required (same as ABS but slightly more forgiving). Key Difference from ABS: UV RESISTANT. ASA is the outdoor filament. Same mechanical properties as ABS but survives years in direct sunlight without yellowing or becoming brittle. Warping: Less than ABS but still significant. Enclosure required. Fumes: Toxic (similar to ABS). Ventilate. Acetone Smoothing: YES, same as ABS. Cost: $22-30/kg. Slightly more than ABS. Best For: Outdoor functional parts, garden items, automotive exterior, anything exposed to sun/weather. If the part goes outside, use ASA, not ABS.

TPU 95A (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

Temperature: Nozzle 220-240C (sweet spot: 225-235C). Bed 40-60C. Enclosure: Not needed. Extruder: DIRECT DRIVE ONLY. Bowden tube = guaranteed disaster. The filament will buckle and jam in the Bowden tube. If you have a Bowden printer, don't even try. Speed: SLOW. 20-30mm/s for 95A. Up to 40mm/s for harder TPU (98A). Printing fast = filament buckles in extruder. Retraction: NONE or minimal (0.2-0.5mm, 20mm/s). TPU is elastic — retraction pulls it like a rubber band and it jams. Stringing is expected and acceptable. Clean up with heat gun or scissors. Cooling: 50-100% fan. Bed Adhesion: Blue tape, PEI, glass with glue stick. TPU sticks well to most surfaces — sometimes TOO well. Use glue stick as release agent. Stringing: EXTREME. Accept it. Cut/trim strings after print. Retraction makes it worse. Shore Hardness: 95A is the most common — flexible like a shoe sole. Available from 80A (very soft) to 98A (semi-rigid). Strength: Extremely high impact resistance. Does not break — it flexes and returns to shape. Cost: $25-40/kg. NinjaTek NinjaFlex ($45/kg), Overture TPU ($25/kg), SainSmart TPU ($28/kg). Best For: Phone cases, watch bands, gaskets, seals, vibration dampeners, wheels/tires, grip handles, wearables. Common Problems: Jamming in extruder (slow down, remove retraction), stringing (accept it), grinding (reduce extruder tension).

Nylon PA6 / PA12

Temperature: PA6: 250-270C. PA12: 240-260C. Bed: 70-90C. Enclosure: REQUIRED. Nylon warps as badly as ABS. Target 50-60C chamber. Drying: CRITICAL. Nylon is the most hygroscopic common filament. MUST dry before every print session. PA6: 70C for 12+ hours. PA12: 70C for 8+ hours. Print from a dry box if possible. Bed Adhesion: Garolite/G10 sheet (best), PVA glue on glass, Magigoo PA. Standard PEI may not hold. Nylon is notoriously hard to stick. Cooling: 0-20% fan. Speed: 40-60mm/s. Strength: HIGHEST strength and toughness of common filaments. Excellent wear resistance, self-lubricating, chemical resistant. Industry standard for gears, bearings, hinges. Heat Resistance: 80-180C depending on type and glass fiber content. Moisture Sensitivity: EXTREME. Will absorb moisture from air in hours. Store in sealed containers with desiccant. Print from dry box. Cost: $30-60/kg. Polymaker PA6-CF ($50/kg), Taulman 645 Nylon ($40/kg). Best For: Gears, bushings, living hinges, mechanical parts, jigs/fixtures, anything needing wear resistance and toughness. Common Problems: Warping (enclosure + G10 bed), moisture (dry aggressively), poor bed adhesion (use G10 or Magigoo PA).

PC (Polycarbonate)

Temperature: Nozzle 260-310C. Bed 100-120C. Enclosure: ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED. Chamber temp 60C+ recommended. Key Property: Highest heat resistance (140C+ glass transition) and impact resistance of any common FDM filament. Polycarbonate is what motorcycle visors and bulletproof glass are made from. Drying: 80C for 8-12 hours. Very hygroscopic. Difficulty: EXPERT LEVEL. PC is the hardest common filament to print. Requires all-metal hotend capable of 300C+, high-temp bed, sealed enclosure, and patience. Bed Adhesion: PEI with glue stick, Garolite, BuildTak. Very difficult to adhere. Warping: EXTREME. Worse than ABS. Design with radiused corners, use brim, keep chamber hot. Strength: Exceptional impact resistance. Much stronger than ABS/PETG. Cost: $35-60/kg. Polymaker PC-Max ($40/kg), Prusament PC Blend ($35/kg). Best For: High-heat applications, transparent parts (PC is naturally clear), safety/impact-critical parts, electrical insulation. Notes: Prusament PC Blend is easier to print than pure PC — good starting point.

SUPPORT MATERIALS

PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol)

Temperature: Nozzle 190-220C. Bed 45-60C. Key Property: Dissolves completely in tap water. Used as support material with dual-extrusion printers alongside PLA. Process: Print supports in PVA, soak finished print in water for 2-12 hours, supports dissolve leaving clean surface. Moisture: EXTREMELY hygroscopic. Must store in sealed dry box. Even brief exposure to air degrades it. Cost: $40-60/kg. Expensive, single-purpose material. Best For: Complex PLA prints with internal cavities, overhangs that need clean support removal.

HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene)

Temperature: Nozzle 230-250C. Bed 90-110C. Key Property: Dissolves in d-limonene (citrus-based solvent). Used as support material for ABS/ASA. Process: Print supports in HIPS, soak in limonene for 12-24 hours. Cost: $20-30/kg. Limonene costs $15-20/L. Best For: Dissolvable supports for ABS/ASA prints.

CARBON FIBER FILLED FILAMENTS

General Notes on CF Filaments

Available as: PLA-CF, PETG-CF, ABS-CF, ASA-CF, PA-CF (Nylon-CF), PC-CF
HARDENED NOZZLE REQUIRED. Carbon fibers destroy brass nozzles in hours. Use hardened steel ($5-15), tungsten carbide ($30), or ruby ($80+).
Properties: Stiffer, lighter weight, more dimensionally stable. Better surface finish than base material.
Weakness: More brittle than non-CF version. Reduced impact resistance. CF adds stiffness but removes flexibility.
Layer adhesion: Often slightly worse than non-CF version.
Cost: 1.5-2x the price of base filament.

PA-CF (Nylon Carbon Fiber) — The Engineering Filament

Temperature: Nozzle 260-280C. Bed 80-100C. Enclosure required. Properties: Strongest CF filament. Used in professional jigs, fixtures, end-use parts, drone frames. Cost: $45-70/kg. Bambu Lab PA6-CF ($50/kg), Polymaker PA6-CF ($55/kg). Best For: Replacement for machined metal parts in some applications. Serious engineering use.

FILAMENT STORAGE AND DRYING REFERENCE

Material	Drying Temp	Drying Time	Storage Priority
PLA	45C	4-6 hrs	Low — tolerant
PETG	65C	4-8 hrs	Medium — strings when wet
ABS	60C	4 hrs	Low-Medium
ASA	60C	4 hrs	Low-Medium
TPU	55C	4-8 hrs	Medium
Nylon	70C	12+ hrs	CRITICAL — prints fail
PC	80C	8-12 hrs	CRITICAL
PVA	45C	4-6 hrs	CRITICAL — degrades fast

Storage Tips:

Vacuum-sealed bags with silica gel packets: cheapest solution
Cereal containers with reusable desiccant: budget dry box
Sunlu S2 FilaDryer ($49): print while drying, fits 1 spool
Eibos Cyclopes ($69): larger, fits 2 spools
Polymaker PolyBox ($40): simple dry storage box with hygrometer
IDEAL: print directly from a heated dry box for Nylon/PC

Signs of wet filament: popping/crackling during printing, excessive stringing, rough surface finish, poor layer adhesion, bubbles in extruded lines, steam/vapor from nozzle.

FILAMENT COST COMPARISON (1KG SPOOL, 2025 PRICES)

Material	Budget	Mid-Range	Premium
PLA	$15 (no-name)	$20 (eSUN)	$30 (Prusament)
PLA+	$18 (eSUN)	$22 (Hatchbox)	$28 (Polymaker)
PETG	$18 (Overture)	$22 (eSUN)	$30 (Prusament)
ABS	$18 (eSUN)	$22 (Hatchbox)	$28 (Polymaker)
ASA	$22 (eSUN)	$26 (Polymaker)	$32 (Prusament)
TPU 95A	$22 (Overture)	$28 (SainSmart)	$45 (NinjaTek)
Nylon PA6	$30 (eSUN)	$40 (Taulman)	$55 (Polymaker)
PC	$30 (Duramic)	$40 (Polymaker)	$50 (Prusament)
PA-CF	$45 (Bambu Lab)	$55 (Polymaker)	$70 (ColorFabb)
Silk PLA	$20 (TTYT3D)	$25 (Eryone)	$30 (Polymaker)
Wood PLA	$25 (Hatchbox)	$30 (ColorFabb)	$35 (FormFutura)

BRAND RECOMMENDATIONS BY RELIABILITY

Tier 1 — Excellent consistency, tested profiles: Prusament, Bambu Lab, Polymaker

Tier 2 — Good quality, widely available: eSUN, Hatchbox, Overture, SainSmart

Tier 3 — Budget/variable quality: SUNLU, Duramic, TTYT3D, Geeetech, MIKA3D

Notes: Buy a well-known brand for your first few rolls. Cheap filament causes frustrating problems that beginners mistake for printer issues. Once you know how your printer behaves, experiment with budget brands.

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