Which 3D Printer Filament Should You Use? A Practical Guide
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Choosing the right 3D printer filament makes a meaningful difference to the quality, durability, and appearance of your prints. With a growing range of filament types available, including PLA, PETG, and specialty variants, it helps to understand what each material does well before you commit to a spool. This guide covers the most common filament types available for Bambu Lab and other FDM printers, explaining where each one performs best and which situations call for something more specialised.
You can browse the full range in the 3D Printer Filament collection at Everyday Home Living.
PLA: The Default Starting Point
Polylactic acid (PLA) is the most widely used FDM filament, and for good reason. It is derived from plant-based starch sources, which makes it one of the more straightforward materials to work with. PLA prints at relatively low temperatures, typically between 190°C and 220°C, and does not require a heated bed to produce reliable results, though a heated bed helps with bed adhesion. It produces minimal odour during printing compared to materials like ABS, making it suitable for use in home environments without specialist ventilation.
PLA is the best choice for decorative objects, prototypes, educational models, and any print that will not be exposed to significant heat. Its main limitation is heat resistance: PLA parts can soften at temperatures above approximately 60°C, which means they are not suitable for objects that will sit in a hot car, near a heat source, or outdoors in Australian summer conditions for extended periods.
Bambu Lab PLA Basic is formulated for reliable printing on Bambu Lab machines, with pre-loaded profiles in Bambu Studio that handle temperature, speed, and retraction settings automatically. The range covers a wide colour palette, from neutrals and brights through to gradient spools that blend two colours across a single print. Single spools and 10-pack bundles are both available in the PLA Filament collection.
PLA Special Effects: Silk, Marble, Glow, and More
Beyond standard PLA, a range of specialty PLA variants adds visual texture and effects without changing the core printing process. Silk PLA produces a high-sheen finish that makes prints look as though they have been cast in polished metal, particularly in gold, silver, and copper colourways. Marble PLA includes fine dark veining through a white or grey base, mimicking natural stone. Wood-fill PLA contains fine wood fibre particles that give printed objects a tactile, matte finish and can be sanded after printing.
Glow-in-the-dark PLA absorbs ambient light and emits a low-level glow in darkness, making it popular for gaming accessories, novelty items, and safety-related applications. Translucent PLA allows light to pass through the print, which is useful for lamp shades, display models, and objects that will be backlit. All of these variants print using similar settings to standard PLA, so they work reliably on open frame printers like the Bambu Lab A1 and A1 Mini without requiring any special configuration.
Explore the specialty options in the PLA Special Effects Filament collection.
PETG: More Durability, Still Accessible
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) occupies a useful middle ground between the ease of PLA and the engineering performance of materials like ABS. It offers notably better heat resistance than PLA, with a typical heat deflection temperature around 70°C to 80°C depending on the brand and print settings. It is also tougher and more flexible, which means PETG parts are less likely to crack or shatter under impact compared to PLA.
PETG is food-safe in its raw form when printed correctly with appropriate nozzle materials and settings, though it is important to note that the layer lines in FDM printing create micro-gaps that can harbour bacteria, which limits its suitability for direct food contact without post-processing. It is a strong choice for functional parts, mechanical components, outdoor-facing objects, and anything that needs to survive moderate heat exposure. PETG prints at slightly higher temperatures than PLA, typically between 230°C and 250°C, and benefits from a heated bed. It prints well on both open frame and enclosed Bambu Lab printers.
Bambu Lab PETG filament is available in the PETG Filament collection at Everyday Home Living.
Engineering Materials: ABS, ASA, PA, and PC
Engineering-grade materials offer significantly higher heat resistance, impact strength, and chemical resistance than PLA or PETG, but they require an enclosed print chamber to print reliably. These materials are prone to warping and layer separation when exposed to drafts or ambient temperature fluctuations, which is why enclosed printers like the Bambu Lab P1S, P2S, and H2 series are needed for consistent results.
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is one of the most established engineering filaments, with good impact resistance and a heat deflection temperature typically above 90°C. It can be post-processed with acetone vapour to produce smooth, glossy surfaces. ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) is chemically similar to ABS but offers considerably better UV resistance, making it the preferred choice for outdoor applications such as garden hardware, vehicle parts, and signage. PA (polyamide, commonly known as nylon) provides excellent flexibility, abrasion resistance, and fatigue strength, making it suitable for gears, hinges, and load-bearing parts. PC (polycarbonate) is one of the toughest printable thermoplastics and can withstand temperatures above 100°C, but it requires high nozzle temperatures and a high-temperature-capable printer.
Filament Diameter and Compatibility
All Bambu Lab printers use 1.75mm diameter filament. This is the standard diameter for most consumer FDM printers and is the format for all filament stocked at Everyday Home Living. The 1.75mm format feeds smoothly through the Bambu Lab direct-drive extruder system and is compatible with the AMS and AMS Lite units for multi-colour printing.
Single spools are available in 1 kg weights for all standard colour options, while 10-pack bundles provide a cost-effective option for high-volume printing or for stocking multiple colours in the AMS. Refill-only spools are also available in selected colours, allowing you to reuse compatible spools and reduce plastic waste from packaging.
Australian Considerations
Storage conditions matter more in Australia's climate than in cooler regions. Filaments like PA (nylon) and some specialty PLA variants are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture from the air. In humid coastal environments or during summer, filament that has absorbed moisture produces poor-quality prints with surface bubbling and stringing. Storing filament in sealed containers with desiccant packs keeps moisture levels low and extends the usable life of your spools. PLA and PETG are less sensitive to humidity than PA but still benefit from dry storage, particularly in Queensland and northern coastal areas.
If you are unsure which filament type is right for your project, the practical starting point for most Australian hobbyists is Bambu Lab PLA Basic. It is forgiving to print with, covers a wide range of applications, and is available in single-spool and 10-pack quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PLA and PETG?
PLA is easier to print with and produces sharp, detailed prints, but it softens at relatively low temperatures (around 60°C). PETG is tougher, more flexible, and more heat-resistant, with a heat deflection temperature typically around 70°C to 80°C. PETG is a better choice for functional parts and outdoor use, while PLA suits decorative objects, models, and prototypes that will not be exposed to heat.
Do I need an enclosed printer to use PETG?
No. PETG prints reliably on open frame printers like the Bambu Lab A1 and A1 Mini. An enclosed chamber becomes important when printing ABS, ASA, PA, and PC, which warp or delaminate when exposed to temperature fluctuations during printing.
How should I store filament in Australia?
Keep filament in sealed containers or resealable bags with silica gel desiccant packs when not in use. This is particularly important for moisture-sensitive materials like PA (nylon) and for anyone in humid coastal or tropical areas. PLA and PETG are less sensitive but still benefit from dry storage over the long term.
Can I use third-party filament in a Bambu Lab printer?
Yes. Bambu Lab printers accept standard 1.75mm filament from any brand. When using third-party filament, you will need to manually set temperature and speed profiles in Bambu Studio, as the pre-loaded profiles are configured for Bambu Lab's own materials.
What is refill-only filament?
Refill-only spools contain filament wound directly without a plastic spool housing, intended for use with compatible reusable spools. They reduce the amount of plastic packaging per purchase and are a practical option for high-volume users who already have compatible spool hardware.
Summary
PLA is the best starting point for most 3D printing projects, offering easy printing, low odour, and a wide colour range. PETG adds toughness and heat resistance for functional parts without requiring an enclosed printer. Engineering materials like ABS, ASA, PA, and PC deliver professional-grade performance but require an enclosed Bambu Lab printer to produce reliable results. Browse the full selection in the 3D Printer Filament collection at Everyday Home Living, and find compatible Bambu Lab printers to match.