One of the best things about 3D printing is being able to make something your own. A practical desk organiser, a colourful display piece or a part designed for a particular job can all start with the same printer, but a different spool of filament.
At Delacey’s, our filament range includes Elegoo, SUNLU, Protech, Slic3D and eSUN. There are options for everyday printing, eye-catching finishes and more demanding projects.
Everyday projects: PLA and PLA Plus
For someone getting started, PLA is usually a good place to begin. It’s relatively straightforward to print and suits models, decorative pieces, prototypes and everyday indoor projects.
Our range includes Elegoo PLA Plus, SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 and eSUN PLA options, alongside Elegoo Rapid PLA+.
“Plus” generally describes a modified PLA formulation, but it isn’t a universal standard. Different brands can offer different properties, so it’s worth checking the individual product rather than assuming all PLA Plus filaments perform the same way.
PLA’s main limitation is heat resistance. That matters if your print will spend time in a hot car or near a heat source.
A good starting point for: models, personalised signs, desk organisers and learning your printer’s settings.
Prints with a little more personality: silk, rainbow and tri-chroma
Sometimes the finish is the whole point.
Elegoo Silk PLA gives decorative prints a glossy, silk-like appearance. SUNLU Silk PLA Rainbow brings changing colours into the print, while Protech Tri-Chroma Silk PLA combines three colours for a distinctive finish.
These effects come from the filament itself, so you can create colourful pieces without painting every surface afterwards.
Rainbow and tri-chroma aren’t the same effect. Rainbow filament changes colour along its length, meaning the colours visible in your finished piece depend on how much filament the print uses. Tri-chroma combines colours within the filament, creating a different appearance around the printed object.
Your model, print orientation and settings all influence the result. A small rainbow print may only use part of the colour sequence.
A good starting point for: display models, ornaments, personalised gifts and decorative projects.
Something different: glow-in-the-dark PLA
SUNLU Glow in the Dark PLA adds another option for creative projects, with a luminous effect after exposure to light.
Decorative lettering, themed models and details that stand out when the lights go down are all possibilities.
You’ll want a nozzle that suits the particular filament. Glow additives can be abrasive, so nozzle suitability matters as well as the colour and finish.
Practical projects: PETG and Rapid PETG
For holders, housings and other practical prints, PETG is worth considering. It generally offers better heat resistance and toughness than standard PLA, while remaining accessible to many home printers.
Our range includes Slic3D PETG and Elegoo Rapid PETG.
PETG may need different temperatures, cooling and print-surface preparation from PLA. It can also produce fine strings between sections of a model, so a little tuning can help tidy up the result.
A good starting point for: storage accessories, equipment holders and practical indoor projects.
Does Rapid or High Speed filament make printing faster?
Elegoo Rapid PLA and Rapid PETG, along with SUNLU High Speed ABS, are designed with faster printing in mind.
However, the spool is only one part of the setup. Your printer, hotend, cooling, model and slicer settings determine how quickly you can print successfully.
The settings need to suit both your machine and the particular filament. A speed printed on the packaging isn’t a target every printer can achieve.
More demanding projects: ABS, ABS+ and ASA
Our range includes SUNLU High Speed ABS, eSUN ABS+, and ASA options from SUNLU and eSUN.
ABS and ABS+ are worth investigating for tougher technical applications. ASA is particularly useful to consider for outdoor projects because of its UV and weather resistance.
These materials need more attention to printer setup than everyday PLA. Enclosure requirements, printing temperatures and ventilation are all part of that preparation.
The finished part’s performance also depends on its design and print quality, not just the material name.
Flexible projects: eSUN TPU
If your project calls for a part that bends rather than stays rigid, eSUN TPU is worth a look.
It can suit projects such as protective covers, soft feet and bumpers. Different TPU grades have different levels of flexibility, so the exact product specifications are useful here.
Your printer and any automatic filament feeding system also need to support the material. Flexible materials may need slower speeds and a different feeding setup.
Slic3D spool-less PLA and reusable spools
Slic3D spool-less PLA is a refill option designed to fit a compatible reusable spool.
You’ll need the correct spool before loading it. Keeping the refill secured until it is properly fitted helps prevent tangles; the supplier’s assembly instructions explain how it goes onto the spool.
It’s a practical option if you’d like to reuse a spool rather than replace it with every purchase.
Why is my filament popping or suddenly making messy prints?
If a spool that printed well starts popping at the nozzle, leaving bubbles or producing extra stringing, moisture is one possible cause. Changing retraction settings repeatedly may not solve it. SUNLU’s guide explains that even sealed filament can arrive with moisture after humid storage or transport.
Drying and storage do different jobs: a suitable dryer removes moisture, while a sealed container with desiccant helps keep dried filament that way. The right drying temperature and duration depend on the exact material and spool; PLA, PETG, ASA and TPU do not all share one drying setting. Moisture is worth ruling out before changing several slicer settings at once.
Further reading: SUNLU’s filament setup and drying guide.
3D printing at Delacey’s
Shop our 3D printing filament range online at Delacey’s, with Australia-wide postage available on eligible products, or visit us at 40B George Street, Bowen. You can also browse our full 3D printing range.
Need a hand choosing? Email sales@bowenbirite.com.au with your printer model and what you’d like to make, and we’ll help you check the options in our range.