Best PLA Filament for Beginners: PLA vs. ABS Guide

Introduction: Why PLA is Your Perfect Starting Point

Stepping into the world of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing often begins with one material: Polylactic Acid (PLA) filament. For the beginner, PLA is unequivocally the best choice, and for good reason. This guide will not only show you why PLA is the ideal starter material, but also how it compares to tougher options like ABS and TPU, and how you can level up your prints with specialty variants like Wood and Metallic PLA.

PLA: The Best 3D Printer Filament for Beginners

PLA is the most common 3D printing filament, and is the recommended material for new 3D printer users. It is an environmentally friendly choice derived from renewable resources such as corn starch.

PLA Key Feature	Why it's Great for Beginners
Ease of Use	It is the easiest filament to use, printing reliably for a broad range of applications.
Low-Warping/Shrinkage	Experiences minimal shrinkage or warping, drastically reducing failed prints.
No Heated Bed Required	Can be used on any FDM printer and does not require a heated print bed.
Low Odor/Fumes	Produces no toxic fumes and has a mild, sweet aroma, allowing for safe use in homes or offices.
Low Print Temperature	Prints at a relatively cool $18 0^{\circ} C -23 0^{\circ} C$ , which is gentle on your machine.

The Bottom Line: PLA is suitable for most everyday purposes, such as models, prototypes, and general household objects. As the best all-rounder, it is the most reliable material for achieving successful first prints.

PLA Pro Filament 1.75mm for FDM Printers

Get durable, high-quality prints with this easy-to-use PLA Pro filament that works seamlessly with your FDM printer

£10.67 £10.13

208 reviews

PLA Pro Filament 1.75mm is perfect for your FDM printer, delivering strong and durable prints with a smooth finish. It’s easy to work with, ensuring consistent results every time, so you can focus on bringing your ideas to life.

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PLA vs. The Competition: ABS and TPU

As you advance, you may wonder if you need to switch to other filaments. Here is a quick breakdown showing why PLA is best for general use, while ABS and TPU fill niches requiring greater strength or flexibility.

Feature	PLA (Polylactic Acid)	ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)	TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
Best For	Prototypes, cosmetic prints, general household objects.	Functional, durable, high-heat parts (e.g., car parts, toys).	Flexible, rubbery parts (e.g., phone cases, wearables).
Ease of Printing	Low Difficulty – Best for Beginners.	Medium Difficulty (requires more expertise to work with).	Low Difficulty (may require specialized direct drive for best results).
Strength	Medium (Brittle).	High (Strong, tough, less brittle than PLA).	Medium (Very High Flexibility).
Heat Resistance	Low (Starts to sag at $\sim 6 0^{\circ} C$ ).	High (Maximum service temperature of $9 8^{\circ} C$ ).	N/A (Known for durability/abrasion resistance).
Warping Risk	Minimal.	Considerable (Prone to warping when cooling).	Minimal.

In Summary: Start with PLA. Only consider moving to ABS or TPU if your part specifically needs high heat resistance and durability (ABS), or extreme flexibility (TPU).

Advanced PLA: Enhancing Prints with Wood and Metallic Filaments

Once you are comfortable printing basic PLA, you can experiment with specialty PLA compounds that offer cosmetic enhancements while maintaining PLA's ease of printing.

1. Wood PLA Filament

Wood PLA contains fine wood fibers mixed with standard PLA plastic.

Aesthetics: Produces prints with a realistic texture and a look/smell that resembles wood.
Use Cases: Perfect for models, decorative pieces, props, and anything requiring an organic, natural aesthetic.

Wood PLA Filament Bundle 1.75mm, 200g/Spool

Achieve stunning wooden finishes for your 3D creations with our Wood PLA Filament Bundle

£37.24

108 reviews

The Wood PLA Filament Bundle offers a great blend of natural aesthetics and 3D printing fun, perfect for creating stunning, wood-like finished pieces. With a 1.75mm diameter and 200g per spool, it’s easy to use and works wonderfully with most FDM printers.

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2. Metallic PLA Filament

These PLA blends contain metal powder (e.g., copper, silver, brass) mixed with PLA to give the object a metallic finish.

Aesthetics: Provides a striking, reflective finish that can resemble pewter, aluminum, or aged brass.
Strength: These materials offer the same mechanical characteristics as standard PLA.
Use Cases: Ideal for jewelry, trophies, cosplay armour, and detailed figurines.

Metallic PLA Filament for 3D Printing

Achieve stunning metallic finishes for your 3D prints with our high-quality PLA filament

£19.03

148 reviews

This Metallic PLA Filament is perfect for your 3D printing projects, delivering a stunning metallic finish that's sure to impress. It's compatible with all FDM 3D printers, making it an easy choice for anyone looking to elevate their creations.

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Troubleshooting: Common PLA Printing Issues

Even the easiest filament has hurdles. Here are common problems and quick solutions to keep your PLA prints successful.

Problem	Cause	Quick Solution
Poor Bed Adhesion Warping	Print bed is too cold or contaminated.	Clean the bed with isopropyl alcohol or warm, soapy water. Use a heated bed at $4 5^{\circ} C -6 5^{\circ} C$ or apply a thin layer of glue stick.
Stringing (Fine Hairs)	Nozzle temperature is too high, causing oozing.	Lower Nozzle Temperature in $5^{\circ} C$ increments (within the $19 0^{\circ} C - 22 0^{\circ} C$ range). Ensure your part cooling fan is working effectively.
Pillowing (Top Layer Gaps)	Insufficient top layers or cooling issues.	Increase the number of top layers in your slicer settings.
Clogging	Filament residue or heat creep.	Use a cleaning filament or perform a "cold pull" to remove blockages. Ensure your hot end is getting hot.
Layer Separation/Splitting	Print temperature is set too low.	Increase the print temperature toward the upper end of the suggested range (e.g., $21 5^{\circ} C$ ).

Ready to Print?

Now that you know why PLA is the best starting point and how to troubleshoot common issues, you are ready to find your perfect spool!

Explore our wide selection of easy-to-use PLA filaments today, including high-speed, wood-infused, and metallic finishes, and start creating incredible 3D models with confidence.

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The Ultimate Guide: Finding the Best PLA Filament for Beginners

PLA vs. ABS vs. TPU: A Head-to-Head Comparison to Help You Master Your First Prints and Discover Advanced PLA Types like Wood and Metallic.

Introduction: Why PLA is Your Perfect Starting Point