Materials

How to Properly Store Filaments for 3D Printing

FDM/FFF 3D printing is becoming increasingly popular, especially for private use. Whether at home or in the office, 3D printing with filaments can not only be a handy way to create everyday objects, it also gives free rein to creativity…

Filament Storage
3Dnatives

FDM/FFF 3D printing is becoming increasingly popular, especially for private use. Whether at home or in the office, 3D printing with filaments can not only be a handy way to create everyday objects, it also gives free rein to creativity and is fun and enjoyable for everyone – young and old! But that does not mean that there are not challenges. This includes proper filament storage.

The selection of filaments required for printing is extremely broad. Various manufacturers offer filaments made from a wide range of plastics. These days, the range extends from conventional plastics such as PLA, ABS and ASA to PETG, nylon and high-performance plastics such as PEEK and PEKK. But as different as the filaments may be, they all have one thing in common – they must always be stored correctly in order to achieve optimum printing results. In this guide, we will show you the correct way to store filaments for 3D printing.

Photo Credits: Cults

Why Is Filament Storage Important?

First, it is important to clarify why filaments for 3D printing need to be stored correctly. Each material has different properties and characteristics, so some plastics such as nylon and PVA are more sensitive to environmental influences than others. Incorrect storage of the different materials can lead to faulty and unsightly printing results.