3D Printing Filament Guide 2025
Complete guide to 3D printing filaments. Compare PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and specialty materials - costs, properties, print settings, and applications.
Table of Contents
What is 3D Printing Filament?
3D printing filament is the thermoplastic material used in FDM/FFF (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printers. It comes in spools, typically 1.75mm or 2.85mm diameter, and is fed into the printer where it's heated to a semi-liquid state and extruded through a nozzle layer by layer to create 3D objects.
Filament costs range from £0.012-0.020 per gram depending on material type, with spools typically containing 500g, 1000g (1kg), or 2500g. The most common filaments are PLA, ABS, PETG, and TPU, each with different properties, costs, and applications.
Popular 3D Printing Filaments
PLA Filament
£0.0128/g • Easy to print • Beginner-friendly
PETG Filament
£0.016/g • Strong & flexible • Water-resistant
ABS Filament
£0.017/g • High strength • Heat resistant
Calculate Your Filament Costs
Use our free calculators to estimate material costs and pricing for your prints.
Complete Filament Properties Comparison Table
Compare all key properties of popular 3D printing filaments to choose the right material for your project.
| Filament | Cost/g | Nozzle Temp | Bed Temp | Strength | Flexibility | Heat Resistance | Water Resistance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | £0.0128 | 190-220°C | 0-60°C | Moderate (50-60 MPa) | Rigid | Low (50-60°C) | Poor | ⭐ Easy |
| ABS | £0.017 | 220-250°C | 80-100°C | High (40-50 MPa) | Rigid | High (85-100°C) | Good | ⭐⭐ Moderate |
| PETG | £0.016 | 220-250°C | 60-80°C | High (50-55 MPa) | Semi-flexible | Moderate (70-80°C) | Excellent | ⭐⭐ Moderate |
| TPU | £0.020 | 210-230°C | 30-60°C | Moderate (30-50 MPa) | Very Flexible | Low (60-80°C) | Excellent | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard |
| PLA+ | £0.012 | 200-220°C | 50-60°C | Moderate-High (55-65 MPa) | Rigid | Low-Moderate (60-70°C) | Poor | ⭐ Easy |
💡 Pro Tip: Use this table to quickly compare materials. For detailed properties and print settings, see the individual filament sections below.
PLA Filament
Properties
- Cost: ~£0.0128 per gram
- Print Temp: 190-220°C
- Bed Temp: 0-60°C (optional)
- Strength: Moderate
- Flexibility: Rigid
- Biodegradable: Yes
Best For
- Beginners and learning
- Decorative items and models
- Prototypes and concept testing
- Indoor applications
- Budget-conscious projects
- Eco-friendly projects
ABS Filament
Properties
- Cost: ~£0.017 per gram
- Print Temp: 220-250°C
- Bed Temp: 80-100°C (required)
- Strength: High
- Heat Resistance: Good (~80°C)
- Durability: Excellent
Best For
- Functional mechanical parts
- Durable items and enclosures
- High-temperature applications
- Items requiring strength
- Post-processing (sanding, painting)
PETG Filament
Properties
- Cost: ~£0.016 per gram
- Print Temp: 220-250°C
- Bed Temp: 70-90°C (required)
- Strength: High
- Waterproof: Yes
- Food Safe: Yes (when properly processed)
Best For
- Outdoor applications
- Waterproof containers
- Food-safe items
- Functional parts
- Chemical-resistant items
TPU Filament
Properties
- Cost: ~£0.020 per gram
- Print Temp: 220-250°C
- Bed Temp: 40-60°C
- Flexibility: High (rubber-like)
- Durability: Excellent
- Print Speed: Slow (20-40mm/s)
Best For
- Phone cases and protective covers
- Gaskets and seals
- Flexible hinges and joints
- Wearable items
- Shock-absorbing parts
3D Printing Filament Costs
Typical Filament Costs (per 1000g spool):
- PLA: £12.79 per kg (~£0.0128/g) - Most affordable
- PLA+: £11.99 per kg (~£0.012/g) - Enhanced properties
- PETG: £15.99 per kg (~£0.016/g) - Waterproof option
- ABS: £16.99 per kg (~£0.017/g) - Strong and durable
- TPU: £19.99-24.99 per kg (~£0.020-0.025/g) - Flexible material
💡 Cost Example: A 200g print costs approximately £2.56 in PLA, £3.20 in PETG, or £3.40 in ABS.
Learn more: Check out our detailed cost per gram guide for comprehensive material cost breakdowns, or use our free calculator to estimate exact costs for your projects.
How to Choose the Right Filament
For Beginners:
Start with PLA - it's the easiest to print, most forgiving, and cheapest option. Perfect for learning and decorative items.
For Functional Parts:
Choose PETG or ABS - both offer better strength and durability than PLA. PETG is easier to print than ABS.
For Outdoor Use:
Use PETG - it's waterproof, UV-resistant, and weatherproof. PLA degrades outdoors.
For Flexible Parts:
Choose TPU - it's rubber-like and perfect for flexible applications. More challenging to print but offers unique properties.
Ready to Calculate Your Costs?
Use our free calculators to estimate material costs, pricing, and profit margins for your 3D prints.
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Last reviewed: February 2025
Author: 3D Print Calculator Team
This guide is regularly updated to reflect current market prices and material availability.