Find the right consumables
Guide to 3D printing materials for hobbyists
The choice of filament or resin can determine whether your project is successful. This guide helps you find the right material, whether you are printing figures, jewellery, cosplay parts or practical items for your home.
View filament and resin at CompumailWhy is the choice of material important?
Each filament and resin type has its own strengths, weaknesses and properties. Your choice determines whether the finished object is flexible, strong, heat-resistant, detailed or simply enjoyable to print. You do not need to begin with the most difficult material. Most beginners will do perfectly well with PLA or standard resin.
Have you not chosen a printer yet? Read our guide to Anycubic 3D printers, where we explain the difference between FDM and LCD/resin and help you select the right printer for your projects.
Resin types for LCD/resin 3D printing
Resin printers deliver the highest level of detail and smooth surfaces, making them popular for figures, jewellery, miniatures and art projects. These are the most common resin types and their ideal applications.
Standard Resin
Versatile and easy to start with
Standard resin is the most popular choice for home use. It provides fine details, smooth surfaces and a good balance between price and quality, making it ideal for hobbyists getting started with resin printing.
- Easy to print and post-process
- High level of detail and smooth surfaces
- Can be painted and treated after printing
- Relatively brittle under mechanical stress
Ideal for: Figures, miniatures, jewellery, art projects and decorative objects.
Post-processing: Requires washing in IPA and UV post-curing
Tough Resin
Stronger and more durable than standard resin
Tough Resin is designed for objects that must withstand greater mechanical stress. It is more resistant than standard resin and a good choice when an object needs to be used rather than simply displayed.
- Higher impact strength than standard resin
- Suitable for functional parts and props
- Maintains a high level of detail
- Slightly more expensive than standard resin
Ideal for: Cosplay props, clips, brackets and parts intended for everyday use.
Post-processing: Requires washing in IPA and UV post-curing
Flex Resin
Elastic and rubber-like
Flex Resin creates objects with a soft, rubber-like character. It can be bent and compressed without breaking and is an enjoyable material for projects that require flexibility.
- Elastic and rubber-like properties
- Withstands bending and compression
- Suitable for soft grips, joints and flexible parts
- Lower detail than standard resin
Ideal for: Soft cosplay parts, flexible joint sections, ergonomic grips and creative projects.
Post-processing: Requires washing in IPA and UV post-curing
Dental / Medical Resin
Precision for professional applications
Dental and medical resin is developed for applications with strict requirements for precision and chemical stability. It is a specialist material typically used in professional environments and requires specialised equipment.
- Biocompatible and chemically stable
- Extremely high precision
- Approved for use close to human tissue
- High cost and special handling requirements
Ideal for: Professional dental applications, medical models and hearing aids.
Requirements: Professional printer and approved post-processing equipment
Castable Resin
For jewellery design and metal casting
Castable Resin is specifically developed for the jewellery and metal industries. The material burns out cleanly when heated and can be used for lost-wax casting, making it ideal for creative hobbyists who want to produce their own metal jewellery.
- Burns out cleanly without ash or residue
- Very high level of detail
- Compatible with traditional casting processes
- Requires a furnace and casting equipment
Ideal for: Homemade jewellery, rings, pendants and metal figures.
Process: Print → investment/plaster → burnout → metal casting
Filament types for FDM 3D printing
Filament is the material used by FDM printers and is available in many variants with very different properties. These are the most popular types and their ideal uses at home.
PLA
Polylactic Acid – the easiest material to begin with
PLA is the most popular filament for home use and an excellent choice for anyone new to 3D printing. It is based on lactic acid, is biodegradable and prints easily, even without a heated print bed.
- Very easy to print and ideal for beginners
- Little or no odour during printing
- Wide range of colours and low cost
- Brittle under mechanical stress and temperatures above approximately 60 °C
Ideal for: Figures, gifts, organisers, decorations and projects that do not require high strength or heat resistance.
Print temperature: 190–220 °C | Bed: 0–60 °C | Price: Low
PLA+
Improved PLA — stronger and tougher
PLA+ is an upgraded version of standard PLA with additives that make the material tougher and less brittle. It prints almost like PLA but creates objects that withstand daily use more effectively.
- Tougher and less brittle than standard PLA
- As easy to print as PLA
- Good surface quality and detail
- Still has limited heat resistance
Ideal for: Brackets, organisers, cosplay props and objects that need greater durability than standard PLA.
Print temperature: 210–230 °C | Bed: 0–60 °C | Price: Low to medium
PETG
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol – strong and easy to print
PETG is one of the most versatile filament types and combines many of the advantages of PLA and ABS. It is easier to print than ABS, more durable and heat-resistant than PLA, and resistant to mild chemicals.
- Good strength and flexibility
- Better heat resistance than PLA, up to approximately 80 °C
- Good chemical resistance
- Can be prone to stringing at excessive temperatures
Ideal for: Outdoor decorations, bottle holders and objects exposed to sunlight or moisture.
Print temperature: 230–250 °C | Bed: 70–85 °C | Price: Medium
ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene – robust and heat-resistant
ABS is a classic and robust plastic used extensively in industry. It is strong and heat-resistant, and its surface can be smoothed with acetone vapour. It requires an enclosed printing environment and good ventilation because it releases fumes during printing.
- High strength and toughness
- Heat-resistant up to approximately 100 °C
- Can be smoothed with acetone vapour
- Requires an enclosed printer and ventilation
Ideal for: Cosplay armour, functional automotive parts, indoor mechanical components and objects exposed to heat.
Print temperature: 220–250 °C | Bed: 80–110 °C | Price: Medium
TPU
Thermoplastic Polyurethane – flexible and rubber-like
TPU is a flexible filament with rubber-like properties. It can stretch and bend without breaking and is useful for projects requiring softness or shock absorption. A low printing speed is required for good results.
- Flexible and shock-absorbing
- Good chemical and UV resistance
- Withstands repeated bending and compression
- More difficult to print and requires low speed and a direct-drive extruder
Ideal for: Phone cases, protective covers, soft cosplay parts, RC car tyres and grips.
Print temperature: 220–240 °C | Bed: 30–60 °C | Price: Medium to high
PC
Polycarbonate – extremely strong and heat-resistant
Polycarbonate is one of the strongest filament materials and offers industrial-grade plastic properties for home printers. It is tough, impact-resistant and able to withstand high temperatures. It requires a printer capable of reaching high temperatures.
- Very high strength and toughness
- Heat-resistant up to approximately 110–130 °C
- Naturally transparent material
- Requires a high-temperature printer and enclosed chamber
Ideal for: Advanced projects requiring high strength, transparent parts and objects used in hot environments.
Print temperature: 260–310 °C | Bed: 90–120 °C | Price: High
ASA
Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate – a UV-resistant alternative to ABS
ASA is an upgraded alternative to ABS for outdoor use. It shares the strength and heat resistance of ABS but is considerably more resistant to UV radiation and weather exposure.
- High UV and weather resistance
- Strength and heat resistance comparable to ABS
- Suitable for outdoor projects
- Requires an enclosed printer and ventilation like ABS
Ideal for: Garden furniture parts, outdoor signs, letterbox components, roof terrace decorations and objects exposed to sunlight.
Print temperature: 240–260 °C | Bed: 90–110 °C | Price: Medium
Comparison of filament types
| Material | Strength | Heat resistance | Ease of printing | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Medium | Low, approx. 60 °C | Very easy | Low | Beginners, figures, gifts and organisers |
| PLA+ | Medium to good | Low, approx. 60 °C | Very easy | Low to medium | Brackets, cosplay and light mechanical parts |
| PETG | Good | Medium, approx. 80 °C | Easy | Medium | Outdoor use, holders and moisture exposure |
| ABS | Good | High, approx. 100 °C | Demanding | Medium | Cosplay armour and heat-exposed parts |
| TPU | Flexible/tough | Medium | Demanding | Medium to high | Phone cases, soft grips and RC cars |
| PC | Very high | Very high, approx. 130 °C | Difficult | High | Advanced projects requiring strength and heat resistance |
| ASA | Good | High, approx. 100 °C | Demanding | Medium | Outdoor use and UV-exposed projects |
Frequently asked questions about 3D printing materials
What is the difference between resin and filament?
Filament is used in FDM printers, which melt plastic filament layer by layer. Resin is used in LCD/resin printers, which cure liquid material with UV light. Filament is normally cheaper and easier to begin with, while resin provides much finer details and smoother surfaces.
Which filament should a beginner start with?
PLA is the clear choice for beginners. It is affordable, easy to print and provides good results, even without a heated print bed. Once you are comfortable with PLA, you can experiment with PLA+ and PETG for more durable objects.
What is the best material for figures and miniatures?
Standard resin from an LCD printer provides the best result for figures and miniatures. It produces extremely fine details and smooth surfaces. When using an FDM printer, PLA provides the best detail among the common filament options.
Can I use the same resin in every LCD printer?
Not all resins are compatible with every printer. Different printers use different UV wavelengths. Always read the printer specifications and confirm that the resin is compatible before purchasing it.
What is TPU useful for at home?
TPU is excellent for anything that needs to be soft and flexible, including phone cases, protective covers, RC car tyres, bendable cosplay parts and comfortable grips. It requires some patience to print, but the result is worthwhile.
Can I change filament during a print?
Yes. Many FDM printers support filament changes, and you can also pause the print and replace the filament manually. This is a popular way to create two-colour prints at home.
Where can I find filament and resin at Compumail?
View the full selection here: Filament and resin at Compumail. Free shipping on orders over DKK 1,000 and fast delivery.