Knowledge base

Guides to filament and 3D printing.

24 guides to 3D printing and filament: materials, comparisons, print settings and troubleshooting. Written by the people who pack the spools.

Featured Guide

What does 3D printing cost? Calculate it yourself

A typical print costs 4–17 kr. Filament is almost the whole cost, electricity only a tenth. Here is how to work out the price of your own model.

Read the guide

Getting started

Just unpacked your printer? Start here.

3 guides

Which filament should I choose? A beginner's guide

New to 3D printing? We guide you to the right material for your first prints.

2026-05-31 Read the guide →

The same fox figurine printed with FDM and with resin

Resin or FDM? A guide to 3D printers in 2026

How to choose the right technology, what to look at in the specifications and which FDM printers dominate in 2026.

2026-08-12 Read the guide →

Four spools of PrintOnion filament in different colours

Filament for Bambu Lab: what works with your printer and AMS?

What your Bambu Lab can handle, how to use filament from other brands in the AMS and where to find our profiles.

2026-10-28 Read the guide →

Materials

What each plastic actually is, what it can withstand and what it suits.

8 guides

Articulated dragon printed in mint-green PLA

What is PLA? Properties, temperature and uses

The easiest and most widely used filament. A good fit for beginners and everyday projects.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

Transparent vase printed in PETG, with a green stem

What is PETG? Properties, temperature and uses

Properties, temperatures, advantages and when to choose PETG over PLA.

2026-06-02 Read the guide →

What is ABS? Properties, temperatures and uses

Impact-resistant, heat-resistant filament for functional parts. How to print it without warping.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

Plant pot with a saucer, printed in black ASA

What is ASA? UV-resistant material for outdoor use

Similar to ABS but holds up better to UV and weather. The right choice for parts that will stay outdoors.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

What is TPU? Properties, Shore 95A and printing tips

Flexible and rubber-like, for cases, seals and shock-absorbing parts.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

Two gears in carbon-fibre-reinforced nylon

Nylon PA6-CF: 170 MPa for technical parts

Carbon fibre reinforced, extremely strong and stiff, for demanding mechanical parts.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

What is PCTG? Differences from PETG, properties and settings

Tougher and clearer than PETG. The right choice when the part must take impacts or be transparent.

2026-10-14 Read the guide →

Flexible lattice sole printed in orange PEBA

What is PEBA? Differences from TPU, properties and settings

Soft like TPU, but it springs back better. The right choice for parts that bend again and again.

2026-10-14 Read the guide →

Comparisons

Two materials side by side, with a clear answer at the end.

4 guides

Heat-softened PLA cup next to an intact PETG cup

PLA vs PETG: PETG handles heat, PLA is easier

A complete comparison of the two most popular filaments: properties, temperatures and uses.

2026-06-01 Read the guide →

PLA, PETG and ABS cups after the same heat test

PLA, PETG or ABS? How to choose in 30 seconds

PLA is the easiest to print, PETG is tougher and ABS handles the most heat. How to choose for your project.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

Heat-softened PETG bracket next to an intact ABS bracket

PETG vs ABS: ABS handles more heat, PETG is easier

PETG is easier to print and withstands moisture, ABS handles more heat and impact.

2026-06-09 Read the guide →

Sun-faded ABS plate next to a black ASA plate

ASA vs ABS: ASA withstands sun and weather

Almost identical, but ASA handles UV and weather much better. How to choose for outdoor use.

2026-06-09 Read the guide →

Printing guides

Temperatures, speeds and settings for each material, with a difficulty rating from 1 to 5.

6 guides

PLA Difficulty 1 of 5

How to print PLA: settings and tips for beginners

The right temperatures, settings and the few things worth keeping in mind.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

Transparent blue desk organiser printed in PETG

PETG Difficulty 3 of 5

How to print PETG: temperature, settings and tips

The right temperatures, a first layer that sticks, drying and the most common problems.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

Electronics box with a lid, printed in ABS

ABS Difficulty 4 of 5

Printing ABS: strong parts without warping

The right temperatures, even heat around the printer, and what to do about cracks and poor adhesion.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

Bird feeder printed in green ASA for outdoor use

ASA Difficulty 4 of 5

Printing ASA: weather-resistant parts without warping

ASA lifts at the corners as easily as ABS. Here are the temperatures and the setup that keep the print stable.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

TPU Difficulty 3 of 5

How to print TPU: tips for soft, flexible filament

TPU wants to be printed slowly. Why a direct drive extruder helps and how to avoid buckling.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

Carbon-fibre-reinforced nylon bracket and a hardened nozzle

Nylon Difficulty 5 of 5

How to print Nylon (PA6-CF): drying & hardened nozzle

Gives extremely strong parts but requires dry filament and a hardened nozzle.

2026-06-08 Read the guide →

Troubleshooting

Four guides that cover most scrapped prints.

4 guides

Failed print that has come loose from the build plate

Print won't stick to the bed? How to fix it

A first layer that won't stick is the most common problem. How to find the cause in a few minutes.

2026-06-10 Read the guide →

Black ABS plate with corners curled up from warping

Warping: how to stop your print bending and coming loose

Warping is caused by the plastic shrinking unevenly. How to stop lifting corners, material by material.

2026-06-10 Read the guide →

Stringing test with thin plastic strands between two towers

Stringing: how to get rid of strands in your print

Thin strands between parts are solved with the right temperature, tuned retraction and dry filament.

2026-06-10 Read the guide →

Filament spool in an airtight box with desiccant

How to dry filament: rescue a damp spool

Damp filament gives brittle parts, a rough surface and stringing. How to dry and store the spool, and which filament dryer to choose.

2026-06-10 Read the guide →

News

What is happening at our end.

1 article

Five spools of PrintOnion filament in different colours

Welcome to the PrintOnion blog

Here we share guides, comparisons and tips about 3D printing and filament.

2026-05-29 Read the guide →

Filament for your next print

12 material, 173+ nyanser, från 113 SEK kilot redan från första rullen. Skickas från Tibro inom 48 timmar.

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