Here's where to start with 3D printing filament

Best answer: PLA, or Polylactic Acid, is the best material for learning how to print with your new machine. With a lower temperature needed and a shorter learning curve, PLA helps you get going faster.


The gold standard Prusament PLA ($25 at Prusa Online)
Less sap, more bend eSun PLA Pro ($23 on Amazon)
So many colours Matterhackers Build PLA ($20 at MatterHackers)


Why PLA?

The reason PLA is so widely used in 3D printing is because of how easy it is to print. PLA has a wide temperature range — between 190c and 230c 3D printing is almost entirely metric, sorry Imperial fans — so even if your 3D printer doesn't have the most accurate reporting, it is highly unlikely that you will be unable to print with it. Some 3D printers like the Pulse XE from Matterhackers can print with a huge variety of exotic filaments, but most people new to printing will want to start with PLA before moving on to more challenging types. One of PLA's other benefits is its much lower tendency to warp o...