Starting your 3D printing journey is exciting—until your prints fail for reasons you can’t quite figure out. Sometimes, the culprit is your filament. Poor storage, bad purchasing choices, and lack of drying can all lead to frustrating, avoidable issues. That’s why we kicked off the first round of our Print Smarter Together campaign on Reddit, asking our community: “How can beginners avoid filament nightmares?”
Here’s a compilation of the most useful, experience-driven advice from real users who’ve been there and done that.
1. Check Your Environment First
Filament care starts with understanding your local conditions.
Humidity plays a big role in filament degradation. One user put it best: “Check the humidity in your area. Based on that, you can figure out what steps are needed to keep your filament in good shape.”
A hygrometer is a smart first purchase—it helps you make informed decisions about storage and drying.
2. Be Smart When You Buy
Don’t bulk buy unless you’re ready.
“Do NOT buy a bunch of filament in one go. Think about why you need it and whether you can store it properly.”
“Spools are not the only thing you are storing. You are also storing that bag of desiccant and those plastic containers. It piles up fairly quickly.”
Buying recognized, high-quality brands is worth it.
Many users shared horror stories of cheap, unbranded filament ruining prints, and the fun.
“The first thing I ever did wrong was buy low-quality filament. It almost made me quit the hobby.”
Also:
● Read reviews before buying in bulk.
● Inspect packaging upon delivery—broken seals or punctured bags are red flags.
3. Store Like a Pro
Pro storage tips from the community:
● Store filament in vacuum-sealed bags with silica gel or in airtight boxes.
● Keep filaments away from humidity and direct sunlight.
● Note the opening date, last use, and last drying date on each spool.
● Label your bags with filament type, nozzle temp range, and remaining amount.
● Use spool holes to secure the filament end—this prevents tangling.
● Always reseal the bag, even if it’s empty, to preserve the desiccant.
● Open filament packages carefully. For a smart first print, make a chip bag clip and use it to reseal your bags!
Some even recommend rechargeable desiccant beads—an eco-friendly and cost-effective choice.
4. Dry Before You Print
Dry filament = better prints.
Every filament type benefits from drying—even PLA.“I use a dryer before every print. It’s helped me avoid so many failures.”
Whether you're using a dedicated filament dryer like the Ace Pro or a DIY solution, 30 minutes of drying can make a noticeable difference.
Make full use of every slot when drying.
“If I'm printing in single color, I make sure the other 3 rolls on the ace are rolls I want dried.”
5. Make the Most of What You Have
Know your material—which materials are more likely to be moist?
“Attention to the material: Nylon, PVA, TPU, and PETG absorb a lot of moisture, so pay more attention to these. But don't underestimate PLA and ABS.”
Know your material—what they are for
● PLA: For indoor items, fidgets, and fun
● Neon/Sparkle: 0.4mm hardened nozzle
● PETG: If you need something a little stronger
● ASA: If you will be leaving it outside
● Carbon Fiber or Glass Fiber: For more strength and a perfect finish
● If you are looking for something more exotic, you should know what you are looking for.
Know your material—set the appropriate nozzle temp for particular filament
“You can print overhang tests (there are files for this online if you don’t know how to or don’t want to make them yourself). These will help you figure out what temps work best for that particular filament.”
Waste less, print smarter.
Short filament ends? Don’t toss them. Use a filament splicer to combine leftovers or create multicolor prints. Heated splicers from brands like SUNLU may cost more, but they’re worth the investment.
“Using a splicer saves me time, money, and frustration.”
Print Smarter Together—Join Us!
These insights came straight from the vibrant Anycubic Reddit community—passionate makers who’ve learned by doing. Do you have a tip or hard-earned lesson of your own?
🎉 Join the “Print Smarter Together” campaign on Reddit, share your best printing advice, and you could win free filament from Anycubic!
