If you're just getting into 3D printing, the filament aisle can feel overwhelming. PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU... where do you even start? This guide cuts through the noise and focuses on the three filaments beginners actually need to know about: PLA, PETG, and ABS.
Short answer: Start with PLA. It's the easiest to print, produces great results, and is the most forgiving. Once you're comfortable, PETG is a natural step up. ABS is worth learning eventually, but save it for when you actually need it.
Read on for the full breakdown of how each one behaves, where it shines, and when to use it.
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a plant-based thermoplastic made from corn starch or sugarcane. It's biodegradable (in industrial conditions), low-odour, and by far the easiest filament to print.
Use PLA for: decorative prints, miniatures, household organizers, phone stands, hobby models, learning projects, and anything that won't be exposed to heat or heavy stress.
Recommended PLA filaments:
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) is a modified version of the same plastic used in water bottles. It's tougher, more flexible, and more heat-resistant than PLA, while still being reasonably beginner-friendly.
Use PETG for: mechanical brackets, phone cases, tool holders, outdoor-adjacent parts, prints that need some flex or toughness, and anything that might see moderate heat.
Recommended PETG filaments:
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is the plastic used in LEGO bricks and car interior panels. It's strong, heat-resistant, and machinable - but it's also significantly harder to print than PLA or PETG.
Use ABS for: automotive parts, high-heat environments, functional mechanical components, and projects where you want to acetone-smooth the surface finish.
Recommended ABS filaments:
Note: If you need heat resistance but want something easier to print than ABS, look at ASA - it behaves similarly but with better UV resistance and slightly less warping. It's worth a try before committing to ABS.
| Property | PLA | PETG | ABS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | Very Easy | Moderate | Difficult |
| Heat resistance | Low (~55°C) | Medium (~75°C) | High (~95°C) |
| Toughness | Low-Medium | Medium-High | High |
| Warping risk | Low | Low-Medium | High |
| Enclosure needed | No | No | Yes |
| Fumes | Minimal | Minimal | Yes |
| Outdoor suitability | Poor | Fair | Fair |
| Cost | Low | Low-Medium | Medium |
Buy PLA first. There's almost no reason to start with anything else. It's forgiving, affordable, available in hundreds of colours, and you'll learn more from printing 20 PLA projects successfully than from fighting ABS warping for a month.
Once you've got a few successful prints under your belt and understand how your printer behaves, grab some PETG. It opens up a whole new world of functional, durable parts.
Save ABS (or ASA) for specific projects where you genuinely need that heat resistance or acetone-smoothing capability.
You'll see a lot of branded variants on the market:
If you're still shopping for a printer, the Bambu Lab A1 Mini is one of the best beginner machines available - it handles PLA and PETG brilliantly out of the box. For budget options, the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE is a solid first printer for those who want to learn the ropes.
Whatever printer you go with, grab a couple of spools of PLA to start - check the current price on Amazon for Hatchbox PLA or eSUN PLA+ and get printing.