As 3D printing continues to evolve toward smarter, greener, and more cost-efficient practices, one small but powerful innovation is making a big impact: the reusable filament spool. Designed to reduce plastic waste and simplify storage, these spools allow users to purchase refill filament rolls without the extra plastic housing.
But while reusable spools are a game-changer, there are some key tips and gotchas you should know to avoid common pitfalls—and to keep your printing experience smooth. In this post, we’ll share the most important things to watch out for, as well as introduce our own Anycubic Reusable Spool, thoughtfully designed to overcome the most common user pain points.
Tip #1: Don’t Print It in PLA—Use ASA or PETG
If you're printing your own reusable spool, never use PLA. Why? Because PLA doesn’t hold up to heat.
Many users dry their filament to restore print quality or prepare it for printing. But PLA spools can warp, curl, or deform under these drying temperatures, damaging the entire spool and the filament wound around it. The result? A potentially wasted roll of filament and a printing nightmare.
Instead, go with ASA or PETG, which are much more heat-resistant and suitable for this kind of accessory. ASA offers excellent durability and temperature resistance, while PETG provides a good balance of flexibility and impact resistance.
Tip #2: Even PETG Printed Spools Aren’t Perfect—Refills Can Vary
One Redditor shared his experience after printing reusable spools in PETG:
“Just wanted to share that I printed some spools in PETG and I regret it. Not every refill comes rolled perfectly, and in my case I had two refills pull toward the edge of the spool and get stuck. The PETG has enough flex to allow this whereas the original spools seem to be fine.”https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/1gqzjnx/comment/md1rmif/?context=3
👉 The takeaway: even if you're using high-quality materials like PETG, DIY spools might not have the structural rigidity or tolerances to handle every filament roll. Some filament refills might be loosely wound or off-center, leading to issues like misfeeds, tangles, or even filament getting jammed between spool flanges.
That’s why precision design and material choice matter—and where Anycubic’s official spool comes in (more on that later).
Tip #3: Buying a Spool + Filament Bundle Is Usually Cheaper
Here’s a surprising but practical tip, especially for budget-conscious makers:
It’s usually cheaper to buy a reusable spool with filament than to buy an empty reusable spool on its own.
Here’s an example:
● Filament + spool bundle: around $23
● Refill-only filament: around $20
● Standalone reusable spool: around $12
In other words, you’re effectively getting the spool for just $3 when you buy it bundled. That’s four times cheaper than buying the spool separately!
From a business and logistics perspective, bundling makes sense. By shipping the spool and filament together, brands reduce packaging waste and shipping volume. Those savings get passed on to you, the buyer. So next time you're refilling, maybe look for bundle deals instead of buying loose filament and empty spools separately.
Tip #4: Never Swap Mid-Roll—Wait Until It’s Empty
This is one of the biggest mistakes new users make: removing filament halfway through a spool to make room for a different one.
Please don’t.
Unless you’ve used up the entire roll, do not disassemble the spool to switch to a new filament. Half-used rolls are prone to unraveling and overlapping, which can lead to severe tangling and failed prints.
One Reddit user put it simply:
“Make sure you use all the filament on the spool before opening it up. Otherwise it’s a pain to get the line back in order.”
https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1jvpln2/comment/mmc7k06/?context=3
If you really need to swap filaments, just load a fresh spool instead. Leave the half-used one intact until you’re ready to finish it off.
Tip #5: Dealing with Leftover Filament? Try a Half-Sized Spool
Ever found yourself stuck with just a bit of filament left, but no empty spool to load your new refill onto?
One clever Redditor designed a half-sized spool to solve this exact problem. It lets you transfer small amounts of leftover filament to a more compact spool, freeing up your main reusable spool for the new refill.
👉 You can find the model here on Reddit if you want to try it out. https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1jvpln2/comment/mmcb7f6/?context=3
That said, we don’t recommend moving filament that still has 600–700g left. As we mentioned in Tip #4, handling half-used filament can easily lead to messy tangles. This tip is best for small leftover bits—that you genuinely want to save for testing or small projects.
🔧 Why Choose the Anycubic Reusable Spool?
After analyzing hundreds of user experiences (including all the tips above), we designed the Anycubic Reusable Spool with features that directly address common frustrations:
1. Secure Threaded Connection – No More Spool Falling Apart
Many existing reusable spools loosen over time, especially during rewinds or under tension. Our design uses a reinforced threaded locking connection, which keeps the spool tightly fastened even during extended printing sessions. No wobble, no mess, and no risk of filament spilling everywhere.
2. Made from Durable ABS – Built to Last
Unlike flimsy cardboard or deformable DIY spools, our reusable spool is injection-molded with sturdy ABS plastic, offering long-term resistance to pressure, deformation, and friction. It holds up to real-world use better and supports smoother filament feeding with less drag.
3. High Heat Resistance – Up to 80°C
Drying your filament? No problem. Our ABS spool is rated to withstand temperatures up to 80°C, which covers most filament drying needs without risk of warping or damage.
4. Easy to Assemble & Compatible with Most Refills
Designed to click and twist together in seconds, our spool fits most filament refills on the market. Whether you're using Anycubic filament or third-party refills, setup is quick and frustration-free.
Final Thoughts
From collecting small tips to offering helpful tools, we’re just happy to play a small part in making your 3D printing experience a little easier.
