3D Printing Material Cheat Sheet: PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU & More
Here’s a quick reference for common 3D printing filament types, what they’re good for, and the temperatures they normally run at.
Use these numbers as a starting point. Every printer, hotend, build plate, and filament brand can behave a little differently.
If you’re just getting started, PLA and PETG are the two materials to learn first. Between those two, you can cover a lot of everyday prints and functional parts.
3D Printing Filament Temperature & Material Guide
This table puts the main information from the chart into a quick searchable reference.
| Material | Best For | Nozzle | Bed | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Everyday prints, models and detailed parts | 190–220°C | 50–60°C | Easy |
| PETG | Durable everyday prints and functional parts | 220–250°C | 70–90°C | Easy / Medium |
| ABS | Strong, heat-resistant functional parts | 230–260°C | 90–110°C | Medium |
| ASA | Outdoor parts, UV and weather resistance | 240–260°C | 90–110°C | Medium |
| TPU | Flexible parts, grips, cases and seals | 220–250°C | 40–60°C | Medium |
| Nylon | Tough, wear-resistant functional parts | 240–270°C | 70–100°C | Hard |
| PC | High-strength engineering parts | 260–300°C | 90–120°C | Hard |
| PA-CF | Rigid, high-performance carbon-fiber parts | 260–300°C | 90–120°C | Expert |
| PETG-CF | Rigid functional parts with a matte finish | 240–270°C | 70–90°C | Expert |
| PEEK | Extreme-temperature and advanced engineering use | 360–400°C | 120–160°C | Expert |
PLA vs PETG: Where should you start?
PLA is usually the easiest material for beginners and works well for models, display pieces, prototypes and detailed prints. PETG is a good next step when you need more durability, water resistance and better performance for functional parts.
Filament Storage Matters
Keep filament in a dry, cool place and use airtight containers, dry boxes or desiccant when needed. Nylon, PC and carbon-fiber materials are especially sensitive to moisture.
A few things to keep in mind
- Keep your filament dry. It makes a bigger difference than most people think.
- Use the listed temperatures as starting points, not hard rules.
- If a print suddenly starts looking bad, check the filament before changing a bunch of printer settings.
- PETG is a strong all-around option once it is tuned for your printer.
- Nylon, PC and carbon-fiber materials need more attention to moisture and printer setup.
- PEEK generally requires specialized high-temperature equipment and is not intended for typical desktop printers.
Use the chart and table as a starting point, then tune from there.
Need filament?
We carry filament for everything from everyday prints to tougher functional projects.
We’ll keep adding more guides as we test different materials, settings and printers.