If you are new to 3D printing, one of the first things you will notice is that filament can get confusing very quickly.
You buy a printer, you get excited, you start looking at colours, and suddenly you are hit with words like PLA, Silk PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, carbon fibre, matte, rainbow, high speed, plus, pro, tough, flexible, and about twenty other things that sound important.
And that is before you have even printed your first keyring.
So let’s make this simple.
If you are just starting out with 3D printing, the filament you choose can make a massive difference. The same printer can feel easy and reliable with one material, then turn into a complete headache with another.
In our 3D printing shop, we use different materials for different jobs, but if someone walks in and asks me what they should start with, I would not hand them the most technical filament on the shelf.
I would start with the one that gives them the best chance of success.
So, let’s look at the four main filaments beginners often ask about: PLA, Silk PLA, PETG and ABS.
PLA: The best place for most beginners to start
PLA is the filament I would recommend to most beginners.
It is easy to print, widely available, comes in loads of colours, and works well for a huge range of prints. If you are printing things like keyrings, models, decorations, signs, simple toys, ornaments, display pieces, or practice prints, PLA is usually the best starting point.
The biggest reason I like PLA for beginners is simple: it is forgiving.
When you are new to 3D printing, you are already learning quite a lot. You are learning how to load filament, level the bed, slice a file, choose settings, remove supports, deal with failed prints, and understand why something did not come out quite right.
You do not need to make that harder by starting with a material that needs perfect settings from day one.
PLA gives you room to learn.
That does not mean PLA is perfect for everything. It is not the strongest material in the world, and it is not ideal for anything that will be left somewhere very hot, like inside a car on a warm day. But for learning, testing, gifts and general 3D printing, it is brilliant.
If you are buying your first roll of filament, I would usually say this:
Start with PLA. Learn the machine first. Then get adventurous.
Silk PLA: The one that makes people say “wow”
Silk PLA is one of the most popular materials for gifts, dragons, fidgets and display models.
And honestly, I get it.
It looks amazing.
Silk PLA has a shiny, glossy finish that can make even a simple print look more premium. It is especially good for things like articulated dragons, fantasy models, vases, decorative pieces, name signs, fidgets, and anything where you want the colour and shine to be part of the design.
In our shop, Silk PLA is one of those materials that naturally catches people’s eye. Customers pick it up because it looks different. It feels more exciting than a plain colour.
But here is the honest bit.
Silk PLA is still a type of PLA, but it can behave slightly differently. Sometimes it likes to be printed a little slower. Sometimes it needs small temperature adjustments. On detailed prints, you may notice that it can be a bit less forgiving than standard PLA.
That does not mean beginners should avoid it. Not at all.
It just means I would not make Silk PLA your very first roll if you have never printed anything before. Get used to normal PLA first, then try Silk PLA when you want something with that extra shiny finish.
My simple rule is:
PLA is for learning. Silk PLA is for showing off.
PETG: Stronger, tougher, but slightly more awkward
PETG is a very useful filament, but I would usually describe it as the next step after PLA.
It is stronger and more flexible than standard PLA, which makes it better for practical prints. If you are making clips, brackets, holders, outdoor-ish items, functional parts, or anything that might take a bit more handling, PETG can be a great choice.
It also deals with heat a bit better than PLA, which can make it useful for parts that need to be a little more durable.
But PETG is not always as beginner-friendly.
It can be stringy. It can stick a little too well to some print beds. It can leave blobs if your settings are not quite right. It can also be less forgiving if your printer is not dialled in properly.
This is where a lot of beginners get frustrated. They hear that PETG is “better” or “stronger”, so they buy it straight away, then wonder why their printer suddenly feels harder to use.
The truth is, PETG is not better than PLA for everything. It is just better for certain jobs.
If you are printing decorative gifts, fidgets, keyrings or display models, PLA or Silk PLA might still be the better choice. If you are printing practical parts that need more strength, then PETG becomes more interesting.
So I would put PETG in the “try this once you have the basics” category.
My simple rule is:
Use PETG when the print needs to work hard, not just look good.
ABS: Useful, but not where I would start
ABS is one of those materials that people hear about because it has been used in manufacturing for years. It can be strong, useful and practical, but for beginners, it can also be a bit of a pain.
ABS usually needs higher temperatures, better control of the printing environment, and good ventilation. It is more likely to warp than PLA, especially on larger prints, and it is much happier when printed in an enclosed printer.
This is why I would not usually recommend ABS as a beginner’s first material.
It is not that ABS is bad. It absolutely has a place. But it is not the easiest material to learn with.
If someone walks into our shop and says they have just bought their first printer, ABS is not the first roll I would put in their hand. I would want them to understand the printer, the slicer, bed adhesion, temperature settings and basic troubleshooting first.
Once you have that knowledge, ABS becomes less scary. But if you start there too early, it can make 3D printing feel harder than it needs to be.
My simple rule is:
ABS is useful, but it is not beginner-friendly unless you already know why you need it.
So which filament should beginners actually use?
Here is the simple version.
If you are brand new to 3D printing, start with PLA.
It is the easiest way to learn your printer without fighting the material at the same time.
Once you are comfortable, try Silk PLA for nicer-looking gifts, dragons, fidgets and display models.
When you want something a bit tougher or more practical, try PETG.
And when you have more experience, the right printer setup, and a reason to use it, then look at ABS.
Here is a quick guide:
| What you want to print | Best starting filament |
|---|---|
| First ever prints | PLA |
| Keyrings and small gifts | PLA |
| Shiny dragons and display models | Silk PLA |
| Fidgets and decorative products | PLA or Silk PLA |
| Practical clips or brackets | PETG |
| Stronger functional parts | PETG |
| Higher temperature or tougher parts | ABS, with the right setup |
| Beginner learning and practice | PLA |
The mistake many beginners make
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is buying filament based only on colour.
I completely understand why. Some filaments look incredible on the roll, especially silk, rainbow and colour-changing materials. You see them online and instantly imagine all the amazing things you could print.
But filament is not just about colour.
You need to think about what the print is for.
Is it decorative?
Is it going to be handled a lot?
Does it need to bend slightly?
Will it be used outdoors?
Will it be near heat?
Does it need to be strong?
Are you still learning?
The right filament depends on the job.
A beautiful Silk PLA dragon might be perfect as a gift or display piece, but that does not mean Silk PLA is the best choice for a working bracket. PETG might be brilliant for a practical part, but that does not mean it is the best choice for a shiny fantasy model.
This is where 3D printing starts to make more sense. You stop asking, “Which filament is best?” and start asking, “Which filament is best for this print?”
That is the question that matters.
My honest advice for beginners
Do not overcomplicate your first few weeks of 3D printing.
Start simple.
Buy a decent roll of PLA. Learn how your printer behaves. Print a few test models. Try a keyring, a small figure, a useful holder, or something simple that does not need loads of supports.
Once you understand the basics, then experiment.
Try Silk PLA when you want something that looks more exciting. Try PETG when you want something more practical. Leave ABS until you have a bit more confidence and the right setup.
There is no rush.
3D printing is much easier when you build up step by step instead of trying to learn every material at once.
Final thoughts
PLA, Silk PLA, PETG and ABS all have their place.
PLA is the best all-round starting point.
Silk PLA is great when you want prints to stand out.
PETG is better for tougher, more practical parts.
ABS is useful, but more advanced and needs the right setup.
If you are a beginner, my advice is simple:
Start with PLA, learn the printer, then choose your next filament based on what you actually want to make.
That one decision can save you a lot of wasted filament, failed prints and late-night frustration.
And if you are still unsure, pop into the shop or have a look at our beginner-friendly 3D printing resources. We keep things simple, practical and jargon-free, because everyone has to start somewhere.
