3D Pen Filament and Accessory Buyer’s Guide
Get the most out of your 3D pen by using the best filament and accessories to make your next project spectacular. Accessories like printing mats and stencils make using your 3D pen that much easier, while high-quality filament clogs less, dries faster, and creates smoother layers. Have more fun with your device by following our guide to the best filament and accessories for 3D pens.
The Best 3D Pen Filaments
Before buying filament for your 3D pen, check the manual for compatible plastics. 3D pens typically print in PLA, ABS, and/or PCL. Be sure to also check the size of filament your 3D pen uses. Almost all 3D pens use 1.75mm filament, however some manufactures (3Doodler is famous for this) use bigger 3mm filament.
Notably, some 3D pens allow you to precisely control the temperature, which means you can use just about any brand of filament you like.
Once you know which plastics your 3D pen can use, it’s time to buy filament! Below are our suggestions for the best filament for all budgets. All the options below are PLA, meaning they should work with any 3D pen.
Ataraxia Art 3D Pen Filament (PLA)
Do you want a lot of filament at an unbelievable price? Look no further than Ataraxia’s Art 3D Pen Filament, which offers customers an unrivaled 656-ft. of filament for under $20. You get 20 different colors, just like other packs, but each color measures over 30-ft. That’s good news for people who always run out of their favorite color. Users complain that it takes some time to get the filament to stick to a surface, but we expect filament this cheap to be a little finicky.
TECBOSS 3D Pen Filament (PLA)
TECBOSS have been in the 3D pen industry for years now and have used that experience to create superior filament. Their best package provides about 320-ft. of filament in 20 different colors, though there’s a smaller 10-color package if you want to test the brand out first. You won’t likely be disappointed, however. The TECBOSS 3D Pen Filament adheres well to most surfaces, feeds smoothly, and is kept well-packaged before arrival to avoid degradation.
TTYT3D Filament (PLA)
If you’re willing to pay for the very best 3D pen filament, TTYT3D has you covered with their 20-color pack of 20-ft. strands. In addition to having great adhesion, excellent packaging, and flawless operation with no bubbles, clogs, or knots, this filament also comes in predictable colors that are the same every time you order. This is unlike some companies, who send a random assortment of colors instead. As if all that weren’t enough, TTYT3D stands behind their filament with excellent customer service and knowledgeable staff.
GizmoDorks 4-Packs (PLA)
Let’s be honest, filament mega-packs are best for kids and casual hobbiests who care less about what colors they use. For more serious artists, or those with a big project in mind, you’ll need a lot more filament. We suggest going with one of GizmoDorks’ 4-Packs of PLA filament. This filament has a wide extrusion temperature range, meaning it will work with most 3D pens, even those that don’t allow temperature control. Each pack comes with four different colors at 200g of filament each, and there are a ton of colors to choose from. Be careful, though! GizmoDorks sells 4-packs in both 1.75mm and 3mm filament. Make sure you get the right size for your pen!
The Best 3D Pen Printing Mats
3D pen mats are useful for a few reasons. First, they provide an easy surface for filament to adhere. Using these mats also helps control the mess of using a 3D pen and you don’t have to worry about damaging other surfaces. Next, 3D pen mats usually provide helpful stencils that help you make geometric shapes like circles, squares, and straight lines with ease. Finally, these mats are made from silicone to make removing your creations safe and easy.
Simply put, both children and adults can benefit from using a 3D pen mat! This accessory will help take your 3D pen game up a notch or two with even less effort on your part. Below are our favorite 3D pen mats for kids and adults alike.
Dikale 3D Pen Mat
3D pen brand Dakali has designed the perfect starter mat for children. This whimsical design includes animal cut-outs and geometric aids so children can make amazing creations all by themselves. We love how big this mat is, measuring 16.4” x 10.9”, which adds some peace of mind for parents and their furniture.
3DMate Base
The 3DMate Base is easily the best mat for 3D printing on the market today. This large silicone mat has so much going for it that it’s the only choice for serious 3D pen artists. To start, it’s enormous, measuring 18” x 12” to give you a nice spacious work area. There are six panels, each designed for different geometric shapes and complete with ruler markings so you can get precise results. Best yet, the plastic is clear, meaning you can see stencils printed on paper underneath. This is essential for people who make their own stencils or print them off the internet.
The 3DMate Base may be more expensive than lesser options, but we think the money is worthwhile for the quality of this silicone mat.
