Why did we create this PETG filament guide? So we can help you achieve the best quality 3D prints possible. We will provide you with print settings, tips and tricks for storage, and much more, so keep reading!
What Is PETG Filament?
PETG can be your new favorite option if you want a filament that is easy to print with and also provides you with a robust result. You can use it to prototype new prints or use it for your finished designs with equally great results. It can also bend quite well, so you can use it for 3D prints with curves for instance.
What Is PETG Filament Good For?
You can use PETG for many different types of prints and designs, too many to name here. It is odorless and resistant to impact, meaning and also does well in different temperatures. It can thus be used for both outdoors and indoor prints.
Is PETG Stronger Than Pla?
In general PETG filament is tougher than PLA since the impact strength is much higher and not as brittle or likely to crack. PETG is also more pliable, meaning it can handle impacts or bends more easily.
Is PETG Safe to Print Indoors?
Yes. For instance, Geeetech filament is one great example of a PETG filament that can be used to print indoors. There are next to no dangerous fumes produced when printing with this type of filament, and it does not smell either. Other types of filament might require you to use an air filter or enclosed space, but PETG does not.
What Are the Downsides of PETG?
One of the main downsides of PETG is that polyester can be difficult to work with after you have printed your design. Therefore, if you need to do a lot of manual polishing on the print, PETG might not be the best option. You might also have trouble finding some specific colors or a blend of colors in PETG compared to PLA for example.
PETG Filament VS PLA
PETG filament is in general a more flexible filament compared to PLA filament, which means it is more suited for 3D prints that require bends or stretches in the printing process itself or once completed. PETG is also a more solid and robust material than PLA, especially regarding moisture and temperature changes.
Here’s How to 3D Print PETG
Getting the best 3D printing results requires correct PETG print settings. These settings will determine how well the design is printed and have a large impact on your final results.
Here some of the main things to consider are the general PETG temperature settings and more specifically the PETG bed temperature settings, which can be different from each manufacturer or provider. If you are using Geeetech filaments, for instance, the below settings will work the best:
| Layer height | 0.1 – 0.3 mm |
| Wall thickness | 1.2 mm or more |
| Infill percentage | 25 – 50% |
Tips for PETG Print Settings
Each different product can vary slightly, so we will be using Geeetech PETG filaments as an example for our PETG printer filament settings.
| First Layer Nozzle Temperature | 210 – 220 °C |
| Nozzle Temperature | 220 – 230 °C |
| Bed Temperature | 70-80 °C |
| First Layer Print Speed | 20 mm/s |
| Print Speed | 40 – 50 mm/s |
How to Store PETG Filament?
We have had many people mention how they experience poor results with PETG filaments that have become moist or outright wet. But you can avoid this easily if you just store the filament properly.
How to Dry PETG Filament
If your 3D filament PETG merchandise has been exposed to moisture in the air or otherwise absorbed some moisture, you might get poorer results when 3D printing. One common issue is a messy result that leaves long strings of filament dangling from your design. To get better results you will need to dry your filament before printing with it again.
- Turn on the oven and set it to 60 °C.
- Let the filament warm up for around three to four hours.
Remember to keep an eye on the filament from time to time.
How to Protect PETG Filament in A Low-Cost Way
In order to avoid your 3D printing filament PETG becoming humid, it is recommended to store it in a sealed container. The Geeetech filament we used as an example previously works well with a filament vacuum bag, that removes all the air from the bag and thus any moisture trapped in the air molecules.
We introduced detailed filament storage in another blog: How to Dry And Store 3D Printer Filament.
What Is PETG Filament Used for?
When printing PETG designs you have the option of choosing both indoor and outdoor prints. This filament is versatile and is great for most types of designs. It has great layer adhesion, meaning each layer is bonded well with the other layers thus providing a strong and durable 3D print.
3D printing filament PETG also provides great light diffusion, making it the ideal material for anything where you plan to use LED lights in your project, whether it be a lamp shade or decorative light panels for instance.
In recent times, we have also seen technological breakthroughs with 3D filament PETG by researchers at MIT. They used the heat responsiveness of PETG to accurately determine the color, shade, and even surface texture of their 3D prints.
The PETG printer filament provided them with the structural integrity and versatility that allowed them to create objects with different textures and colors using the same base material, which is a promising breakthrough for 3D printing in general.
Applications in Industrial Supplies
When it comes to industrial supplies, PETG is durable and resistant enough to make it a great candidate for many different products. To name a few, we have already seen PETG being used with great effect to make transparent covers and shields that are used as machine guards to protect workers from moving parts, as well as tool housings that are printed to fit the tools perfectly and protect them from the working environments.
Applications in Consumer Goods
PETG is a great filament for consumer goods, as it is food-safe and resistant to chemicals. Therefore you can use it for storage containers in your kitchen or pantry, kitchenware, and cutting boards to name a few practical options.
Since PETG is a robust and strong material it is also a great option for toys for children, and since it is lightweight there are many different 3D prints possible where the detail and durability come in handy.
Conclusion
In this article we took a closer look at PETG printing, including looking at the pros and cons of this 3D printer filament compared to PLA, and how both materials are great but for different designs and results.
We also examined the specific printer settings for Geeetech filament, a popular PETG 3D printer filament, and looked at how to dry and store your filaments safely for future use to avoid moisture issues when printing your designs.
We hope you learned a thing or two, and that you have found new inspiration to keep printing with PETG filaments. Take care!
