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The 6 Best 3D Printing Supplies In 2023 [Tested & Ranked by Top Experts]

Steve Guide
  Mar 22, 2023 7:01 AM

To have a complete 3D model, in addition to investing in a printer, you need to pay attention to additional tools, materials, and accessories.

Similar to choosing the right 3D printer, finding the best 3D printing supplies is not easy. Today's market is not short of options, but not all options are compatible with your current machine and needs.

To help you spend more intelligent but more productive time, here are suggestions for the best 3D printing supplies that you need to own.


Top Picks

When searching for 3D Printing Supplies, you're not short of suggestions. However, if talking about the best 3D printing supplies, it is impossible not to mention the following products:


Reviews

There are quite a few materials and tools you must prepare to produce a 3D model successfully. Although everyone's needs are different, the names in the list below are the products you must prepare to create your model.

#1. ANYCUBIC 3D Printer Resin - Best for Environment

ANYCUBIC 3D Printer Resin 

Important Specifications

  • Package Dimensions: ‎ 10.39 x 4.41 x 4.29 inches.

  • Weight: 2.78 Pounds.

  • Brand Name: ANYCUBIC.

Product's highlights

To use 3D models safely, you need to be mindful of the chemical composition of the materials used. And ANYCUBIC 3D Printer Resin is one of the most reliable materials that are safe for your health and environmentally friendly.

The great advantage above is that Anycubic has used raw materials such as soybean oil, vegetable resin and does not contain typical irritants such as benzene, VOCs, or BPA.

Not only complying with EN 71-3: 2013 safety standard, the product also offers a pretty great experience when used.

Specifically, Anycubic is one of the lowest-shrink resins you can get. After curing, you can completely count on the smooth, unbreakable product that the product brings.

Another advantage of the product is that the manufacturer offers a wide range of high-quality colors. Whether you love soft colors like white, gray, or clear or want to model with personality resin colors like pink and green, ANYCUBIC can provide products to meet all of the above needs.

In particular, Anycubic resin is particularly suitable for Anycubic Photons. The product's curing time has been as the bottom layer contact time is only 50-60s, and the average exposure time is 8-10 seconds.

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What We Like

  • Safe for both health and the environment.

  • Almost odorless.

  • Gorgeous colors.

  • It takes less time to expose and cure.

  • Compatible with most 3D printers.

Things to Consider

  • It may wrap when used on large models.

#2. OVERTURE PLA Filament - Best for Beginners

OVERTURE PLA Filament 

Important Specifications

  • Package Dimensions: 9.29 x 8.35 x 3.15 inches.

  • Weight: 2.2 Pounds.

  • Brand Name: OVERTURE.

Product's highlights

OVERTURE is the passion of an expert who has more than eight years of experience in 3D filaments R & D. 8 years of experience in the field of 3D filaments R&D. 

Overture's products all have one common feature high quality, reasonable price, accessible to almost any 3D printing enthusiast. And OVERTURE PLA Filament is such a product.

As a beginner, it isn't easy to find a filament as easy to use and compatible as Overture PLA.

The Overture's filament is uniform, easy to stick to the bottom, and provides perfect adhesion in terms of ease of use. You will therefore have almost no usual troubles when working with this product.

For example, you won't experience clogs or bubbles. Instead, you will have a smooth and stable printing experience. In addition, there are strict inspection measures from the beginning of Overture's production. The final product you receive is also neat, so there is rarely a broken or tangled wire.

In terms of applicability, the OVERTURE filament is perfect for creating basic models for everyday life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWrrKDODGk

Specifically, it will be very easy for beginners and interested in creating models such as vases, pen holders, and Overtures that are completely capable of meeting this need. The manufacturer even brings a lot of new colors such as purple OVERTURE PLA Filament, or Silk red for you to unleash your creativity.

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What We Like

  • Money-Saving.

  • High precision.

  • Nice color and glossy.

  • Easy to use.

  • Deliver a smooth printing experience.

Things to Consider

  • The quality of the white version is not too good.

#3. SCRIB3D 3D Printing Pen - Best for Surface Compatibility

SCRIB3D 3D Printing Pen 

Important Specifications

  • Package Dimensions: ‎7.6 x 4.84 x 1.5 inches.

  • Weight: 3.53 Ounces.

  • Brand Name: SCRIB3D.

Product's highlights

This product is the best-selling pen model of SCRIB3D in particular and the Printing Supplies market in general. 

It is no coincidence that this pen model is so popular. Because every time you need a product that can be printed directly onto a surface, SCRIB3D 3D Printing Pen should be the name you should think of at the beginning of the name.

Because with this model, you can do any creative work, from creating, sketching, drawing, and even building in 3D.

To provide a better user experience, Scrib3D has provided additional adjustment capabilities to change the speed and temperature. With this feature, you can optimize your pen's capabilities for whatever resin you use.

For example, PLA plastic-like SUNLU PLA Filament only works well in temperatures between 320 - 410 degrees F. Whereas ABS plastic like ELEGOO ABS-Like has a slight difference when it has an optimal temperature of 410. - 455 degrees F.

Thanks to SCRIB3D's adjustment support, you don't need to buy multiple pen models individually. You need one product for all the materials you want to test.

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What We Like

  • Affordable.

  • Many bright colors.

  • Well operated.

  • Designed not to get stuck.

  • Adjusted to change the speed and temperature of the pen.

Things to Consider

  • Colors are not sold separately.

#4. Siraya Tech 3D Printer - Best for Industrial Printing

Siraya Tech Fast ABS-Like 

Important Specifications

  • Package Dimensions: ‎ 8.82 x 6.3 x 5.31 inches.

  • Weight: 2.93 Pounds.

  • Brand Name: Siraya Tech.

Product's highlights

Need an affordable, fast printable, easy-to-handle plastic that can last for a long time? Without a doubt, Siraya Tech Fast ABS-Like 3D Printer Resin is the product you are looking for because of the series of advantages below.

Firstly, as the name suggests, the product has a relatively short print time. The above fast processing ability mainly comes from the fluidity of the plastic material that the product uses.

Secondly, one of the most significant advantages that Siraya Tech has is that you can easily make excess glue after shaping the model. You don't need to do too much cleaning. Just one time with the necessary equipment such as an air gun and a regular alcohol spray is more than enough.

Thirdly, the highlight of the product is that the manufacturer has created a lot of great colors. The colors that are hard to find in other brands of Siraya Tech 3D Printer Resin Smoky Black or Siraya Tech Printer Resin Creamy are one of the reasons you should favor this brand.

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What We Like

  • Save your processing and printing time.

  • No unpleasant smell.

  • Easy to clean.

  • Give a smooth surface.

  • Low shrinkage.

Things to Consider

  • Not suitable for products that are subject to frequent shocks.

#5. eSUN PLA PRO Filament - Best for Durability

eSUN PLA PRO (PLA+) Filament 

Important Specifications

  • Package Dimensions: ‎8.74 x 8.31 x 2.91 inches.

  • Weight: 2.2 Pounds.

  • Brand Name: eSUN.

Product's highlights

If you are looking for a filament that can make products that require high durabilities, such as helmets and phone cases, you will need PLA plus instead of regular PLA.

Currently, there are many PLA products on the market. Some familiar names can be mentioned, such as JAYO PLA Plus Filament, OVERTURE PLA Plus (PLA +) Filament, and especially eSUN PLA PRO.

eSUN's PLA Pro is made from corn kernels. Therefore, the product is almost odorless and, more importantly, does not cause harm to health and the environment.

Although the main component is a biological material, eSUN Filament is not inferior to any other material in terms of hardness. Modeling with eSUN, your final product will have a beautiful glossy finish and be highly durable, with no cracking or brittleness.

One thing that is quite commendable for eSUN is that the company has vacuumed when packaging the product. 

Combined with PLA pro's slow moisture absorption characteristic, you can ultimately preserve and use the eSUN 3D Printer Filament for a long time.

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What We Like

  • Odorless.

  • Environmental friendliness.

  • Low shrinkage rate.

  • Durable.

  • Easy to store.

Things to Consider

  • The cost is a bit higher than regular PLA.

#6. ELEGOO Water Washable Resin - Best for LCD 3D Printers

ELEGOO Water Washable Resin 

Important Specifications

  • Package Dimensions: 10.31 x 4.53 x 4.49 inches.

  • Weight: 2.2 Pounds.

  • Brand Name: ELEGOO.

Product's highlights

ELEGOO has optimized this Resin model for printer models that use LCD light sources with a wavelength of 405mm.

However, whether you use the above device or any other printer model, from SLA to DLP, you can be satisfied with the three advantages that ELEGOO Water Washable 3D Printer Resin brings.

The first advantage is an excellent detail.

Shrinkage is always one of the causes of errors when creating models. Understanding this, ELEGOO has researched and created a unique formula that can minimize volume shrinkage while providing a smooth, glossy finish.

Second, you do not need to use expensive cleaners to handle the excess details on the design. You can even use plain water to remove any remaining stains.

And finally, the characteristic of the Elegoo brand Resin is its beautiful color. You can see a certain clarity and purity from ELEGOO Mint Green, which is inherently very bright, to seemingly quite dark colors like ELEGOO black.

The stunning colors above are perfect to go with any of your 3D-printed artwork.

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What We Like

  • Compatible with many models.

  • Bright colors.

  • High stability.

  • High precision.

  • Easy to store.

Things to Consider

  • Not too fit and thin.


Buying Guide

You have to prepare a lot of materials and tools to start 3D printing. Different types of devices have other specifications, requirements for use, and applications. Since there is not the same frame of reference, it is almost impossible for you to choose among the suggestions above the best product.

While it is not possible to compare, you can judge the quality of individual products based on several criteria:

Compatibility

Not every product advertised as a necessity for 3D printing today is compatible with the printer, nor is it necessary for your project.

Because some LCD printers are only compatible with ELEGOO Water Washable 3D Printer Resin, the same can happen with your LED or DLP printer.

Not only related to device compatibility when choosing 3D Printing Supplies, but you also need to seriously consider whether the product is suitable for your current needs and qualifications.

Your final product probably won't require extreme durability or outstanding craftsmanship as a beginner. During this time, owning an expensive product to create simple models probably won't be a good idea.

Meanwhile, if you want to improve your level and go further in 3D printing, investing in tools, including 3D Printing Supplies, is quite understandable.

Aesthetics

The aesthetic that 3D Printing Supplies brings is mainly in the finish. A good product will give you a wide choice of colors. More importantly, the product must provide a perfect finish.

The concept of perfect, beautiful depends on individual preferences. For example, a fairly standard definition for the idea of ideal coating today is gloss and incredible detail.

Additional Functions

Additional features may not be required but are well worth your consideration. Some typical features, such as high durability, impact avoidance, and fire resistance, can be mentioned.

While these features can slightly change the product's price, the effectiveness of the components is unquestionable.

Safe

Depending on the project you want to work on, you will need highly secure materials or not.

The safety of materials needs to be primarily on when you make products directly related to eating and drinking.

For you to use products from the above project with peace of mind, the material you choose should receive several safety certifications for skin compatibility, chemical resistance, sterilization ability, etc.


Compare

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Last update on 2023-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


FAQs

3D printing is not a new field, but there are still quite a few problems surrounding this industry. If only considering 3D Printing Supplies, there are already many related questions. And here are a few of them:

What is the most robust 3D printable material?

Polycarbonate is one of the most robust printing materials.

Through many tests and evaluations, 3D printing experts have proven that Polycarbonate has a tensile strength of up to 9,8000 psi, much higher than Nylon with only 7,000 psi. 

Therefore, it is not difficult to understand that this material is trusted to make models that require high durability, such as helmets.

Is 3D printer resin expensive?

Each type of plastic has a different cost. Depending on the quality and the effect you want, you will have to pay more or less for this material.

Typically, standard 3D printed plastic models such as eSUN Printer Rapid UV Curing or ANYCUBIC 3D Printer Resin cost $30 - $50 for each 1 kg.

Can you eat PLA?

Many studies prove PLA is completely safe for food contact. Although some experts say, PLA can carry small amounts of lactic acid. However, this acid is quite common in reality and is not dangerous if only exposed to shallow doses.

Therefore, you can ultimately use PLA for your food-related projects as well as your daily activities.

What is stereolithography 3D printing?

Embossing (SLA) is a 3D printing process that allows you to create complex models. Specifically, a simple SLA process would begin with irradiating an ultraviolet beam to cure a polymer resin layer selectively.

Not all materials can be in the above process. Instead, you are only allowed to use thermosensitive polymers in liquid form.

Is 3D printing time-consuming?

It depends on the complexity of the model and the quality of the materials you use. A small, simple model will probably take you a few minutes. Some more complex models can take up to 30 minutes or days to complete.


Final Words

Accessories play a big part in the success of your 3D printing process. Specifically, not only affecting the aesthetic aspect when providing bright colors, smooth finishes, accessories are also essential factors for you to improve durability or reduce printing time.


3.5
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