Materials
Filaments, resins, and material properties — what to print with, how it behaves, and what it costs.
-
Materials
Tri-Color Silk PLA: Multicolor Gradients Without an AMS or Tool Changer
Tri-color and multi-gradient silk PLA spools produce shifting rainbow effects from a single extruder. Here's what's actually happening and how to get the best results.
-
Materials
Engineering Resins for MSLA Printing: ABS-Like, Tough, High-Temp, and Flexible Compared
Standard photopolymer resin is brittle and UV-sensitive. Engineering resins change that equation dramatically — here's what each functional type actually delivers.
-
Materials
Best Filament Under $25: Value Picks That Don't Compromise on Quality
Budget filament has improved dramatically. These are the brands and specific spools worth buying at the low end of the market — and the ones that waste your time despite the low price.
-
Materials
Polypropylene (PP) Filament: Why It's Difficult and How to Print It Successfully
Polypropylene's chemical resistance and flexibility make it valuable for functional parts, but its near-zero bed adhesion and significant warping push most printers to avoid it. Here's how to manage both.
-
Materials
PCTG Filament: The Cleaner, Tougher Alternative to PETG Most People Haven't Tried
PCTG delivers better optical clarity, tougher impact resistance, and lower warping than standard PETG at similar print temperatures. Here's what it is, who makes it, and whether it's worth switching.
-
Materials
ABS Filament Complete Guide: Why It Is Hard and When to Use It
ABS remains relevant in 2026 for its heat resistance, impact toughness, and acetone smoothability — but it demands an enclosure, specific bed adhesion, and careful settings. This guide covers everything.
-
Materials
ASA Filament: The Complete Guide to UV-Stable Outdoor Printing
ASA is the go-to material for outdoor, UV-exposed 3D printed parts — a better choice than ABS for anything that lives outside. This guide covers settings, drying, and use cases.
-
Materials
High-Speed PLA: How to Print at 200–300mm/s Without Sacrificing Quality
High-speed PLA formulations from eSUN, Polymaker, and others are engineered for 200–300mm/s printing. This guide covers what makes them different, the right settings, and the hardware you need.
-
Materials
Metal-Filled Filament: Copper, Bronze, and Stainless — Printing and Polishing Guide
Metal-filled filaments pack real metal particles into a PLA carrier, enabling prints that look, feel, and partially behave like metal. This guide covers printing, polishing, and electroplating.
-
Materials
Nylon Filament: The Complete Printing Guide for PA6 and PA12
Nylon is one of the strongest and most versatile engineering filaments, but it is also one of the most demanding to print. This guide covers moisture control, bed adhesion, enclosure requirements, and post-processing.
-
Materials
PVA and BVOH Water-Soluble Supports: The Complete FDM Guide
PVA and BVOH dissolve in water, enabling complex geometries impossible with breakaway supports. This guide covers how each material works, compatible hardware, storage requirements, and print settings.
-
Materials
Silk, Rainbow, and Dual-Color PLA: How to Get the Best Results
Silk, rainbow, and dual-color PLA each produce striking visual effects that standard PLA cannot match. This guide explains what makes them different and how to print them for the best results.
