First Filament Buyer’s Guide (2025): PLA vs PETG vs TPU Print Profiles
If you’ve just unboxed your first 3D printer, you’re probably wondering which filament to start with. This 2025 guide compares PLA, PETG, and TPU—the three most popular materials—covering print temps, bed adhesion, flexibility, and finish. We also include starter slicer profiles you can use right away.
Also read: How to Use a 3D Printer • Common 3D Printing Mistakes
Filament overview
Filament is to 3D printers what ink is to paper—it defines your print quality, durability, and finish. Most desktop printers use 1.75 mm filament made from thermoplastic polymers that soften when heated and solidify on cooling. PLA, PETG, and TPU cover nearly every beginner’s use case from rigid prototypes to flexible parts.
PLA vs PETG vs TPU: quick comparison
| Property | PLA | PETG | TPU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print temp (°C) | 190–215 | 225–250 | 210–240 |
| Bed temp (°C) | 0–60 | 70–90 | 50–60 |
| Ease of printing | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Strength | Good | Excellent | Flexible / Impact-resistant |
| Flexibility | Low | Medium | High (rubber-like) |
| Finish | Matte / Glossy | Glossy & smooth | Semi-matte |
| Best for | Beginners, prototypes, decorative prints | Functional parts, outdoor use | Phone cases, gaskets, hinges |
⭐ ratings are based on community test averages and user reports across multiple printers.
PLA — easiest filament for beginners
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is biodegradable, odor-free, and melts at low temperatures. It’s perfect for learning because it sticks to the bed easily and rarely warps.
- Pros: Inexpensive, crisp detail, low odor, no enclosure needed.
- Cons: Brittle under stress; softens in heat above 60 °C (cars, outdoors).
- Print tips: Use a bed temp around 55 °C, nozzle 200 °C. Add a 0.2 mm brim for tall parts.
PETG — strong, glossy, and weather resistant
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) combines the clarity of acrylic with the durability of ABS. It’s slightly more demanding to print but ideal for functional parts.
- Pros: High impact strength, water & UV resistant, minimal odor.
- Cons: Strings easily, needs hotter temps, can cause nozzle buildup.
- Print tips: Nozzle 240 °C, bed 80 °C. Use slower speeds (40–50 mm/s) and retraction 1 mm @ 35 mm/s.
TPU — flexible and tough
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) behaves like soft rubber—great for shock-absorbing or wearable parts. It’s flexible but tricky due to its softness.
- Pros: Excellent flexibility, abrasion resistance, vibration dampening.
- Cons: Slow print speeds, needs direct-drive extruder, hard to retraction tune.
- Print tips: 220 °C nozzle, 50 °C bed, speed 20–30 mm/s, retraction minimal (0.5 mm).
Starter print profiles
Plug these values into your slicer (e.g., Cura, PrusaSlicer) as a baseline before tuning:
| Setting | PLA | PETG | TPU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozzle Temp | 200 °C | 240 °C | 220 °C |
| Bed Temp | 55 °C | 80 °C | 50 °C |
| Speed | 60 mm/s | 45 mm/s | 25 mm/s |
| Cooling Fan | 100% | 50% | Off |
| Adhesion | Brim / Glue Stick | Glue Stick / PEI | Blue Tape / Slow 1st Layer |
Always calibrate first layer height and extrusion before running larger prints. Poor first layers cause 90% of failures—see 3D printing mistakes guide.
Tips for cleaner prints
- Store spools in a dry box—moisture causes popping and stringing.
- Clean nozzle with a brass brush kit before switching materials.
- Use a temperature tower to fine-tune print temp per brand.
- Don’t mix filaments without purging 50–100 mm through the nozzle.
FAQ
What’s the best filament for beginners?
PLA. It’s the most forgiving, cheap, and perfect for learning bed leveling and slicing.
Is PETG food safe?
PETG itself can be food-safe, but FDM prints have micro-gaps that harbor bacteria. Use only for decorative or disposable items unless coated and FDA-rated.
Can I print TPU on a Bowden extruder?
Yes, but with reduced speed and careful filament guidance. Direct-drive is far easier for TPU.
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