Want to know how much your 3D printer material costs? This article summarizes the latest 3D printer filament cost for each type. We reviewed hundreds of pricing options from 3rd party filament makers and OEM brands so you wouldn’t have to!

Whether you’re a hobbyist, professional, or business owner needing filaments, this will stand as your one-stop pricing guide.

How Much is 3D Printer Filament? (The Short Answer)

PLA and ABS, the most popularly used filaments in 3D printing, costs around the range of $20 to $27. This ballpoint figure depends on the brand and specs. Buying from an open-source 3D filament manufacturer usually gives a lot of savings. The cheapest PLA filaments directly bought from these suppliers can range from only $15 to $18.

The cost of 3D printer filament can vary for specialty filaments between $40 to $60. These costs range on the basis of filament per kilogram (kg).

Is 3D Printer Filament Expensive?

The 3D printing plastic cost really depends on the type of filament and its brand. Basically, 3rd party filaments are generally cheaper than branded filaments. Moreover, composite filaments cost more than generic ones.

What Are the Factors Affecting Filament Cost?

There are 4 major things we think can affect the cost differences in 3D printer filament types:

• Cost of raw materials: carbon fiber, TPU, and other specialty filament raw materials cost more than standard PLA, ABS, etc
• Filament Tolerance: smaller tolerances add bigger costs on production, adding more on unit costs for each filament spool
• Quantity: Bulk filament spools such as 4kg filaments costs cheaper than 1kg filament spools.
• Brand/Manufacturer: Some 3D printers are designed to take only their brand’s filaments which means you can’t really use other manufacturer’s filaments. If this is the case, you’re only restricted to buy limited choices of filaments.

How Much Does 3D Printer Filament Cost for Each Type?

1. PLA

Photo credit: Simplify3D

PLA is a plant-based filament most commonly used in 3D printing. They are inexpensive and easy to print with.

Average Price for 1KG PLA Spool

• Cheapest price: $15
• Average market price: $20 to $25
• Most expensive range: $30 to $40

Options:

A few notes:

• Tolerances for PLA filament may be ±0.03 mm or ±0.05 mm, with the former giving more accurate finish.
• Buying in wholesale from reputable manufacturers can give larger savings (~20% to 40%)

2. ABS

Photo credit: ZMorph Blog

ABS is also one of the most common materials used in 3D printing stronger parts than PLA. For example, you can use ABS filament for replacement parts, lego bricks, and durable parts. In terms of pricing, PLA and ABS are pretty much in the same price range. ABS plastic is also less brittle, more resistant to heat, and more ductile than PLA.

Average Price for 1KG ABS Spool

• Cheapest price: $15 to $17
• Average market price: $20 to $25
• Most expensive range: $30 to $40

Options:

A few notes:

• Tolerances for ABS plastic may be ±0.03 mm or ±0.05 mm, with the former giving more accurate finish.
• Buying in wholesale from reputable manufacturers can give larger savings (~20% to 40%)

3. PETG

PETG is a common favorite of professionals looking for the combined durability of ABS and printability of PLA. This food-safe filament is stronger than ABS but slightly more expensive. PETG is also temperature resistant making it good as a food packaging material.

Average Price for 1KG PETG Spool

• Cheapest price: $18 to $22
• Average market price: $24 to $32
• Most expensive range: $38 to $50

Options:

A few notes:

• PETG is available in a ton of colors like PLA and ABS. Although it costs a little more than PLA and ABS, it is very strong and has improved properties.
• Available in 2.85mm and 1.75mm.

4. Nylon

Image Credit: Purple Platypus’ FDM Nylon 12 Material

Nylon is a flexible and highly chemical resistant filament, which is ideal for outdoor parts. This includes nuts, gears, bolts, and cable accessories. Since nylon has no generic brands, it can be quite expensive than standard filaments.

Average Price for 1KG Nylon Spool

• Cheapest price: $30 to $40
• Average market price: $70 to $90
• Most expensive range: $100 to $130

Options

A few notes:

• A few good manufacturers of Nylon filament include MatterHackers and Puzzlebox 3D.
• Nylon filaments are available in 1.75mm and 2.85mm diameters with ±0.03 mm or ±0.05 mm tolerances, depending on the manufacturer.

5. Flexible

Photo Credit: All3DP

Flexible filaments are elastic 3D printing materials with great resistance to abrasion. You can find many flexible filaments for 3D printing, but the most popular one is TPE.

TPE or Thermoplastic Elastomers is a combination of plastic and rubber. TPU or Thermoplastic Polyurethane is the most common type of TPE in the market.

Average Price for 1KG TPU Spool

• Cheapest price: $22 to $25
• Average market price: $30 to $50
• Most expensive range: $60 to $70

Options

6. ASA

Photo credit: Manufactur3D

ASA or Acrylic Styrene Acrylonitrile is a close relative of ABS providing your 3D prints with high impact resistance and durability. Being with high temperature and UV resistance, you can use ASA for outdoor applications as compared with ABS. As such, ASA costs more than standard ABS or PLA.

Average Price for 1KG ASA Spool

• Cheapest price: $26 to $30
• Average market price: $32 to $49

Options

7. Polycarbonate (PC)

Photo credit: Rigid Ink

Polycarbonate (PC) is an extremely strong FDM 3D printing filament used in rugged and industrial uses. With its incredible durability, high strength, and good electrical resistance, this filament costs more than most filament types.

Average Price for 1KG Polycarbonate Spool

• Cheapest price: $29 to $35
• Average market price: $40 to $75
• Most expensive range: $85 to $100

Options:

8. Specialty Filaments

Photo credit: Geeky Gadgets

Specialty filaments such as wood, carbon fiber, metal filled filaments usually have PLA or ABS as base material. They are designed to imitate the physical attributes and some of the mechanical properties of real wood, carbon fiber or metal.

However, they are still considered as plastic materials with improved properties. Hence, the pricing is relatively higher than standard 3D printer filaments.

• Metal-filled filaments: contain very fine metal powder such as Copper, Bronze, Brass, and Stainless Steel. The percentage of metal powder infused in each filament can vary depending on the manufacturer. The presence of this metal powder makes the filament much heavier than standard plastics.
• Wood-filled filaments: Wood-based filaments usually have a PLA base with powdered wood additives. There’s a whole lot of choices between bamboo, cedar, timber, birch, and coconut.
• Carbon Fiber Filament: If you’re looking for less expensive options than PC(polycarbonate) or PEEK, try on carbon fiber filament. This filament costs way cheaper than a PC without compromising dimensional stability.

Average Price for 1KG Specialty Filaments:

1. Wood: $25 to $55
2. Carbon Fiber: $30 to $80
3. Metal: $50 to $120
   • Magnetic powder iron
   • Kilnable metal filament
   • Aluminum
   • Stainless steel
   • Cobalt
   • Titanium

Ways to Save on 3D Printer Filament Cost

Want to save on your 3D printing filament costs? Here are some tips you can do to minimize your operating costs.

1. Buy Open Source 3D Printers

Photo credit: 3D Printing Industry

Before you buy your first 3D printer, take into consideration the brand of the machine and the range of filament costs compatible with it. Check if the 3D printer manufacturer allows its printers to use 3rd party/open source filaments.

If it doesn’t, this means you’re restricted from using filaments other than the manufacturer’s brand. This also means you won’t get to buy generic and relatively cheaper filaments.

If you’re willing to save more on 3D printer filament, you can take a look at mid-range open-source 3D printers which won’t cost much to operate.

2. Buy in Bulk/Wholesale FDM Filaments

Monofilament Direct’s 4KG 3D Printer Filaments

If you’re an avid 3D printing hobbyist or professional or a business owner, consider buying bulk/wholesale 3D printer filaments. Manufacturers usually offer a huge amount of discounts for wholesale orders or bulk 3D printing spools.

Wrapping Up

The cost of 3d printer filament varies depending on the brand, quality, and type. However, as new 3D printer materials are developed and companies become more competitive, so does the decrease in unit prices.

Cheaper filaments do not always mean they are of lower quality. With this guide, we hope you were able to learn the real price ranges and options for 3D printer filaments.