Filament is used in FDM printers and comes in so many varieties you are bound to find something that you like. The type of filament you use will depend on the different printer you are using as well as the type of model you want to create.
We run down the list of filaments we use the most from PLA to PETG.
eSun Silk PLA
Pushing the envelope
eSun silk PLA is one of my favorites to print with. It prints a little hotter than normal PLA but reduces layer lines in the finished model.
The filament itself also takes on a beautiful shine when printed at high temperatures. Sometimes you need to paint filament to make it look good, but eSun Silk needs no post-processing to look gorgeous.
Sunlu ABS
ABS is great for sanding
ABS is used when you want your print to stand the ravages of weather, or time. It's toxic though, so be careful, and print in a well-ventilated area.
Sunlu makes some excellent filament, and its ABS is no exception. Remember, ABS requires a printer that can have a 90-100 degree print bed to print well and an enclosure.
Proto-pasta Highfive Metallic Blue
As always, high-five
HTPLA is specifically formulated to withstand high-temperature annealing. This creates an incredibly tough model that can be used in any number of commercial ways.
This particularly HTPLA from Prota Pasta is a fan favorite as the color and name is dedicated to Joel Telling, one of the 3D printing communities favorite YouTube Stars.
Hatchbox PLA
My most used filament
When I first started 3D printing I opened an Etsy store with some models I designed. It worked pretty well, and I needed a lot of filament.
Hatchbox was my filament of choice as it was cheap but also gave excellent results. It was the perfect balance I needed to make a success of my business.
Polymaker PolyLite PETG
PETG is great for everything
PETG is an excellent filament that balances the ease of print that you get from PLA and the ruggedness that ABS produces. It's a great material to use for making PPE to as it can stand up to the heat and pressure of the Autoclave.
I'm a big fan of the Polymaker PETG as it is very easy to print with and produces beautiful models.
There are a lot of choices
If you picked any of these products across the different material types you would have a great shot at making excellent prints. Some will work better than others on different printers so it's always a good idea to try different filaments until you find the right for you.
For my money, you should be looking at eSun Silk PLA if you don't plan on painting your models. The glossy finish is just beautiful on unpainted prints.
