If you’re getting into 3D printing—whether as a hobbyist making custom toys or a small business creating prototypes—knowing the right 3D printing supplies is crucial. Ces fournitures ne se limitent pas aux filaments; ils incluent des matériaux qui donnent vie à vos conceptions numériques, ainsi que des outils qui garantissent une impression fluide et des résultats de qualité.
Dans ce guide, we’ll break down the most essential 3D printing supplies, explain their uses, share real-world examples, and add data to help you choose what’s best for your projects. À la fin, you’ll have a clear list of what to buy (et pourquoi) to avoid wasted time and money.
The Core 3D Printing Supplies: Filaments
Filaments are the “ink” of 3D printing—they’re the materials melted and layered to build objects. Below is a detailed table of the most common filaments, leurs traits clés, best uses, and user preferences (based on a 2024 survey of 800 3D printing enthusiasts and professionals).
| Filament Type | Full Name | Key Characteristics | Idéal pour (Real-World Examples) | Melting Temperature | 2024 User Preference Rate | Avantages | Inconvénients |
| PLA | Acide polylactique | Biodégradable, facile à imprimer, low odor, force modérée, brittle in cold | Kids’ toys (par ex., small action figures), prototypes (par ex., phone case drafts), household organizers | 190–220°C | 78% of hobbyists | Écologique, no harsh fumes, beginner-friendly | Fragile (breaks easily if dropped), softens in direct sunlight |
| ABS | Acrylonitrile-Butadiène-Styrène | Fort, résistant à la chaleur, durable, slightly flexible | Pièces extérieures (par ex., garden planter brackets), outils (par ex., small wrench handles), boîtiers électroniques | 230–260°C | 62% of professionals | Withstands weather, tough for daily use | Emits fumes (needs ventilation), tricky to print (warps easily) |
| PVA | Alcool polyvinylique | Soluble dans l'eau, dissolves completely in water, no residue | Support structures (par ex., for multi-color prints like a layered cake topper), complex designs with overhangs | 180–210°C | 55% of advanced users | Easy to remove supports (no pliers needed), doesn’t damage the print | Cher, only for support (not standalone prints), absorbs moisture easily |
| TPU | Polyuréthane thermoplastique | Highly elastic, soft to touch, résistant aux chocs | Coques de téléphone (slim, protective ones), semelles (custom-fit for shoes), stress balls | 210–240°C | 48% of hobbyists | Flexible (bends without breaking), good grip | Slow to print (needs low speed), clogs nozzles if too hot |
| PC | Polycarbonate | Ultra-résistant, résistant à la chaleur (jusqu'à 130°C), résistant aux chocs | Pièces industrielles (par ex., machine gears), protective covers (par ex., pour l'électronique), outdoor lighting housings | 250–300°C | 70% of industrial users | Durable for heavy use, withstands high temperatures | Requires high printer temperature, needs heated enclosure (empêche la déformation) |
Other Essential 3D Printing Supplies (Beyond Filaments)
Filaments are important, but you’ll need other supplies to keep your 3D printer running smoothly and to finish your prints. Here are the must-haves:
1. Print Bed Adhesives
Even the best filament won’t stick if your print bed isn’t prepped. Common adhesives include:
- Hairspray: Cheap and easy—spray a light coat on the bed for PLA prints. A hobbyist printing a PLA keychain found that hairspray reduced bed adhesion failures by 90%.
- Glue Sticks: Works for ABS and PLA. Just rub a thin layer on the bed. A small business making ABS phone stands uses glue sticks to prevent warping.
- PEI Sheets: Reusable, sticky surfaces that attach to the bed. They’re popular with professionals—65% of industrial users in a 2024 survey said PEI sheets are their go-to adhesive.
2. Post-Processing Tools
Après l'impression, you’ll need tools to clean and refine your object:
- Pliers: For removing support structures (especially for ABS, which has tough supports). A cosplayer used pliers to take supports off an ABS helmet without cracking it.
- Sandpaper: Fine-grit (400–800) sandpaper smooths rough edges. A crafter sanded a PLA necklace pendant with 600-grit sandpaper to make it shiny.
- Isopropyl Alcohol (API): Cleans resin prints (removes leftover resin) and wipes down print beds. 82% of resin printer users rely on IPA, par 2024 données.
- Craft Knives: Trims stringy plastic (called “oozing”) from filament prints. A teacher used a craft knife to clean up a PLA dinosaur figurine for their classroom.
3. Maintenance Supplies
To keep your printer in good shape:
- Nozzle Cleaning Kits: Include wires and brushes to clear clogs (common with TPU or PC). A professional printing PC gears uses a nozzle kit once a week to avoid jams.
- Lubricant: Keeps printer parts (like belts and rails) moving smoothly. 73% of hobbyists in 2024 said lubricating their printer monthly extended its life by 2+ années.
- Filament Dryers: Absorb moisture from filaments (PVA and Nylon are especially moisture-sensitive). A startup making PVA-supported multi-color prints uses a dryer to prevent bubbling in their prints.
How to Choose the Right 3D Printing Supplies for Your Project
With so many supplies, c'est facile de se sentir dépassé. Follow these simple steps to pick what you need:
- Start with Your Project Goal: Ask, “What will the print be used for?»
- Exemple 1: If you’re making a kids’ toy, choose PLA (non toxique) et laque (easy adhesion).
- Exemple 2: If you’re printing an outdoor part, go with ABS (résistant aux intempéries) et Feuilles Î.-P.-É. (strong adhesion).
- Consider Your Skill Level: Beginners should stick to PLA, laque, and basic tools (pliers, papier de verre). Professionals can try PC, Supports PVA, and advanced tools (filament dryers).
- Check Your Printer’s Specs: Make sure your printer can handle the filament’s temperature. Par exemple, a budget printer that maxes out at 240°C can’t print PC (needs 250–300°C).
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on 3D Printing Supplies
Chez Yigu Technologie, we advise clients that 3D printing supplies make or break project success—skimping on the right materials leads to failed prints and wasted time. For beginners, we recommend starting with PLA, a glue stick, and basic post-tools; it’s cost-effective and low-risk. For businesses, investing in PEI sheets and filament dryers boosts efficiency—we’ve seen clients cut print failures by 40% with these supplies. We also highlight PVA for complex designs, as it eliminates manual support removal damage. As supplies evolve (like new eco-friendly filaments), we help clients adapt to get the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What’s the most cost-effective 3D printing supply for beginners?
PLA filament is the most cost-effective—it costs \(20–)30 per spool (enough for 10–15 small prints) and doesn’t need expensive tools. Pair it with a \(2 glue stick for bed adhesion, and you’ll have everything to start for under \)35.
2. Can I reuse 3D printing supplies like support structures or leftover filament?
You can reuse leftover filament (cut it into small pieces and melt it into new shapes with a filament extruder), but support structures (especially PVA) are usually single-use. PVA dissolves in water, so it can’t be reused, while ABS/PLA supports are often too damaged during removal.
3. Do I need special supplies for resin 3D printing vs. filament printing?
Oui! Resin printers need résine (instead of filament), alcool isopropylique (to clean prints), et nitrile gloves (to handle resin safely). Filament printers need filaments, bed adhesives (like hairspray), and nozzle cleaning kits. UN 2024 survey found 90% of resin users said IPA and gloves are non-negotiable.