Four materials are enough for (almost) all applications

3D printing has become an accessible tool for designers, makers, students, and professionals of all kinds. It has never been easier to have a printer at home, and although there is a wide variety of filaments on the market that can feel overwhelming at first, in reality only four materials are enough to cover most needs: PLA, PETG, ASA, and flexible TPU 95A filament. Four affordable filaments, easy to print with, and compatible with almost all domestic and professional 3D printers.

In addition to a wide selection of materials from specialized manufacturers, we also offer our own Filament2Print filament range, developed to provide a balanced combination of quality, reliability, and competitive pricing in the most widely used materials on the market.

PLA: the ideal material to get started

PLA (polylactic acid) is the most popular material in 3D printing. It prints easily, emits no odors, and delivers aesthetically flawless results even on basic printers. It is available in a huge variety of colors and finishes, from classic glossy and subtle matte to metallic, multicolor, or glow-in-the-dark finishes. This makes it perfect for decorative models, scale models, toys, or visual prototypes where appearance is the most important factor.

Its low printing temperature and minimal tendency to warp make it the ideal filament for beginners. In addition, it is a biodegradable and affordable material, which is why it is widely used in educational environments and in design or decoration projects.

Examples of PLA applications:

In education, for manufacturing scale models, robotics parts, or teaching elements. As it is an easy-to-print and odor-free material, it is especially useful for classrooms and spaces that cannot provide adequate ventilation and filtration.

In decoration and art, for printing figures, busts, lamps, or customized ornaments.

For board game and miniature enthusiasts, it is the ideal material to unleash their imagination, whether creating new models or bringing existing ones to life.

In model making, for architectural models or design prototypes. Being an affordable and easy-to-print material, it allows the creation of models or prototypes practically from design software into the real world.

For those looking for a versatile and consistent PLA for everyday use, we recommend our Filament2Print PLA Matte HS, available in a wide variety of colors.

PETG: strong and versatile for functional parts

PETG is a material that combines the ease of printing of PLA with greater mechanical and chemical resistance. It is flexible, durable, and offers better resistance to moisture and impacts, making it ideal for functional prototypes or everyday-use parts. In addition, it adheres well to the print bed, has minimal warping, and can be printed with settings very similar to PLA. Its translucent finish is perfect for parts that need to allow light to pass through. As a drawback, it absorbs more moisture, so drying it properly is necessary to ensure good print quality.

Moreover, for those looking to go one step further, there are PETG variants reinforced with carbon or glass fibers that increase its rigidity, making them ideal for technical or light industrial applications.

Examples of PETG applications:

At home, for printing brackets, hooks, organizers, or durable kitchen utensils. Unlike PLA, it allows a certain degree of flexibility, enabling the creation of clips or fastening systems.

In DIY, for functional parts, light tools, or household replacements. The improved mechanical properties of PETG make it possible to carry out more demanding projects, such as lightweight gears or mechanical components.

In robotics or engineering, for housings, gears, or components subjected to continuous use. This way, lightweight yet durable parts can be obtained, capable of withstanding impacts or stresses that would otherwise be excessive.

Within the Filament2Print catalog, we also offer high-quality PETG for functional applications, as well as reinforced technical variants for projects requiring greater rigidity or mechanical resistance.

ASA: the choice for outdoor use and high temperatures

ASA is a technical material designed to withstand more demanding conditions. Created as an alternative to ABS, it offers excellent resistance to weather, sunlight (UV rays), water, and heat, without losing color or mechanical properties. It is perfect for parts that will be exposed outdoors or subjected to high thermal and mechanical stress. Reinforced fiber variants and heat-resistant versions are also available.

Although it requires slightly higher temperatures than PLA or PETG, ASA prints without too much difficulty and delivers durable and stable results. It is widely used in sectors such as automotive, outdoor DIY, and electronics.

Examples of ASA applications:

In automotive, for housings, trims, or accessory brackets. Its ability to withstand high temperatures makes it suitable for parts that need to endure the heat reached inside a vehicle. Reinforced fiber variants can also be used to provide greater strength.

In gardening, for manufacturing irrigation connectors, supports, or parts exposed to sunlight. Its ability to resist UV rays makes it the perfect candidate for prints exposed to the elements that must not degrade or fail over time.

In construction and home automation, for electrical boxes or outdoor sensor components. Given ASA’s previously mentioned capabilities, together with the availability of fire-resistant certified variants, it makes it the right material for these tasks.

Users who need to manufacture outdoor parts can find in the Filament2Print range ASA solutions designed to provide excellent resistance to UV radiation, moisture, and high temperatures.

TPU 95A: the ideal flexible filament

TPU 95A (thermoplastic polyurethane) is the ultimate flexible material when a project requires elasticity, cushioning, and high impact absorption capacity. Specifically, 95A hardness is the most compatible with almost all printers on the market (both direct drive and Bowden systems), avoiding the common jams of softer filaments while maintaining its characteristic flexibility. In addition, it stands out for being available in a wide variety of colors.

It is a filament with excellent elastic memory, meaning it returns to its original shape after being stretched or compressed, and it also features exceptional layer adhesion, making the parts extremely durable and resistant to abrasion, grease, and oils.

Examples of TPU 95A applications:

For protection and cases, to manufacture impact-resistant mobile phone cases, protective covers for tools, or action camera housings capable of absorbing shocks.

In mechanical components and seals, for creating watertight gaskets, custom flexible washers, tires for radio-controlled (RC) models, or protective bellows that require continuous flexing.

In ergonomics and vibration absorption, for designing custom insoles or shoe soles, shock-absorbing feet for machinery, elastic stoppers, and non-slip grips for tools.

For flexible applications, Filament2Print TPU 95A offers an excellent combination of elasticity, wear resistance, and ease of printing, being compatible with most current 3D printers.

Four materials, endless applications

With PLA, PETG, ASA, and TPU 95A, you can cover virtually all 3D printing needs:

In the end, 3D printing is not about accumulating dozens of exotic materials, but about understanding what each project really needs. With PLA, PETG, ASA, and TPU 95A, it is possible to cover everything from decorative figures and rapid prototypes to functional parts, flexible components, or pieces designed to withstand outdoor conditions and heat. These are four accessible, versatile filaments mature enough to deliver professional results without unnecessary complications. Mastering these materials means having a solid foundation for almost any everyday 3D printing challenge. And the best part is that, once their possibilities are understood, the limit is no longer the material itself, but only the creativity of the person designing and printing.

All these materials are available within the Filament2Print range, a line of filaments designed to cover the most common 3D printing needs of both home users and professionals, maintaining an optimal balance between performance, reliability, and cost.