MP3D | Filament cheat sheet

MP3D / MATERIALS REFERENCE

Filament cheat sheet.

Choose a material. Understand its properties. Get a better print.

ONE LAYER AT A TIME

Printing services only. Supply your own ready-to-print file. We do not offer custom design or 3D modelling. TPU, Nylon (PA) and PC printing are currently unavailable. Other materials are listed for reference; confirm availability when requesting a quote.

01 Printing settings

Starting ranges from your supplied reference. Use the filament manufacturer’s profile and check your printer’s capabilities; settings vary by brand and formulation.

Material	Nozzle °C	Bed °C	Fan speed	Difficulty
PLA	190–220	45–60	80–100%	Easy
PLA+	200–230	50–65	70–100%	Easy
PETG	230–255	65–85	20–60%	Medium
ABS	240–265	90–110	0–20%	Hard
ASA	245–270	90–110	0–30%	Hard
TPU · unavailable	210–240	35–60	30–70%	Medium
Nylon (PA) · unavailable	250–290	70–100	0–30%	Hard
PC · unavailable	260–310	100–120	0–30%	Very hard
PLA-CF	200–230	45–60	50–100%	Medium
PETG-CF	240–270	70–90	20–60%	Medium

02 Find the right material

PLA

Material reference

Easy to print; crisp detail; low warping.

Best for

Prototypes, decorative items, display pieces and indoor models.

PLA+

Material reference

Stronger than standard PLA; easy to print; smooth surface finish.

Best for

Functional prototypes and everyday models.

PETG

Material reference

Tough and durable; good chemical resistance; less brittle.

Best for

Functional parts, brackets, containers and mechanical components.

ABS

Material reference

Strong and durable; heat resistant; requires an enclosure.

Best for

Functional parts, enclosures and engineering components.

ASA

Material reference

UV, weather and heat resistant.

Best for

Outdoor parts, enclosures, signs and mounts.

TPU

Currently unavailable

Flexible and elastic; impact and wear resistant.

Best for

Flexible parts, gaskets, feet and vibration dampers.

Nylon (PA)

Currently unavailable

High strength and wear resistance; absorbs moisture.

Best for

Gears, bushings and mechanical parts.

PC

Currently unavailable

Very high strength and heat resistance; tough and durable.

Best for

Engineering parts and high-temperature applications.

PLA-CF

Material reference

Stiffer than PLA; matte finish; requires a hardened nozzle.

Best for

Rigid parts, functional prototypes and lightweight components.

PETG-CF

Material reference

Strong and stiff; good heat resistance; requires a hardened nozzle.

Best for

High-strength functional parts and mechanical components.

03 Properties at a glance

Qualitative comparisons from the supplied cheat sheet, not engineering specifications. Actual performance depends on the filament, print orientation and settings.

Material	Strength	Impact resistance	Heat resistance	UV / outdoors	Flexibility	Chemical resistance
PLA	Medium	Low	Low	Poor	Low	Low
PLA+	Good	Medium	Low	Poor	Low	Medium
PETG	Good	Good	Medium	Good	Low	Good
ABS	Good	Good	Good	Fair	Low	Good
ASA	Good	Good	Good	Excellent	Low	Good
TPU · unavailable	Medium	High	Medium	Fair	Excellent	Good
Nylon (PA) · unavailable	High	High	Good	Fair	Medium	Excellent
PC · unavailable	High	High	High	Fair	Low	Excellent
PLA-CF	High	Medium	Medium	Fair	Low	Good
PETG-CF	High	High	Good	Good	Low	Good

04 Quick troubleshooting

Problem	Try this
Stringing	Dry filament, lower nozzle temperature and increase retraction.
Warping	Increase bed temperature, use an enclosure where suitable, avoid draughts and use a brim.
Poor layer adhesion	Increase nozzle temperature, reduce cooling and check filament dryness.
Brittle prints	Dry filament, check print temperature and reduce fan speed.
Clogged nozzle	Check filament quality, dry filament, clean the nozzle and use the correct temperature.
Poor first layer	Clean the build plate, check Z-offset and adjust bed temperature.
Surface defects	Calibrate flow, check temperature and use consistent filament.
Under-extrusion	Check for clogs, increase temperature and check extruder tension.
Over-extrusion	Reduce flow rate, check temperature and calibrate extrusion steps.
Layer shifting	Check belt tension, print speed and the stability of your setup.

Keep filament ready to print

Keep it dry. Store in airtight containers with desiccant.
Watch moisture-sensitive materials. PETG, TPU, nylon, PC and carbon-fibre filaments absorb moisture readily.
Use a filament dryer. Follow the manufacturer’s drying temperature and time.
Reseal after use. Keep spools in a sealed bag or dry box.

Before you print

ABS, ASA and some engineering materials can emit fumes. Provide ventilation and/or filtration.
Avoid printing in unventilated indoor spaces.
Use a hardened nozzle for carbon-fibre filaments.
Follow the filament and printer manufacturer’s safety guidance.

Creality K1C tips

Start with Creality Print or OrcaSlicer material profiles. Use an enclosure for ABS, ASA and engineering materials. Avoid excessive chamber heat with PLA. Dry moisture-sensitive filaments, run temperature towers and flow calibration when changing brands, and use a hardened nozzle for carbon-fibre materials.