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What filament is made of

Filament is the “ink” of an FDM printer - a long strand of thermoplastic wound onto a spool. Thermoplastics soften when heated and harden when cooled, which is exactly what lets your printer melt them, lay them down, and freeze them into shape. The plastic you choose changes how easy a print is, how strong it is, and how it looks.
Comparison of PLA, ABS, and PETG filament properties

The three most common desktop filaments

Your kit ships with PLA - the easiest filament to print and the best choice for everything you make this week.

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The big three

Polylactic Acid - made from renewable plant starch (corn, sugarcane).
  • Print temp: ~190-220 C, bed ~50-60 C
  • Pros: Easiest to print, low warping, no strong fumes, biodegradable, comes in every color
  • Cons: Can soften in a hot car or direct sun; less impact-resistant than others
  • Best for: Beginners, models, prototypes, decorations, everything in this camp

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How properties affect your print

Chart of nozzle and bed temperature ranges for PLA, ABS, and PETG

Every filament has its own printing temperature window - PLA runs coolest, ABS and PETG hotter

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Beyond the basics

Once you are comfortable, the filament world gets fun:

Silk PLA

Glossy, shiny finish - great for decorative prints and multi-color “silk” spools.

TPU (flexible)

A rubbery filament for phone cases, bumpers, and anything that needs to bend.

Composite PLA

PLA mixed with wood, glow-in-the-dark, or metal powder for special looks.

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Storing filament

Comparison of prints made with dry versus moisture-absorbed wet filament

Dry filament prints smooth; wet filament pops, strings, and prints rough

Diagram of proper filament storage in a sealed container with desiccant

Store spools sealed with silica gel to keep moisture out

Keep it sealed

Store spools in a zip bag or airtight box with a silica gel desiccant pack.

Keep it cool and dry

Humidity is filament’s enemy. A dry drawer beats an open shelf.

Dry wet filament

If prints suddenly get stringy or crackly, your filament may be wet. It can be dried in a filament dryer or a low oven (for PLA, ~45 C).
For your capstone this week, stick with the PLA that came in your kit. It is forgiving, prints beautifully, and lets you focus on your design instead of fighting the material.