How Much Is the Filament for a 3D Printer
Share
How Much Is the Filament for a 3D Printer?
A beginner-friendly Australian price guide for 1kg filament spools, cost per print, and choosing the right material.
If you're new to 3D printing, one of the first questions is simple: how much is the filament for a 3d printer?
For most everyday printing, filament is cheaper than many beginners expect. At FilamentHub, common 1kg spools start from $16.99 to $18.99, while specialty materials such as ASA, TPU, rainbow filament and PVA support filament cost more.
Quick Answer
- PETG and ABS: $16.99 per 1kg spool
- PLA+ and Matte PLA: $18.99 per 1kg spool
- PLA Silk: $19.99 per 1kg spool
- ASA and Rainbow: $24.99 per 1kg spool
- TPU: $28.99 per 1kg spool
- PVA Support: $24.99 per 0.5kg spool
Best Beginner Choice
Start with PLA or PLA+. It is the easiest material for most printers and is ideal for models, prototypes, decorations and general prints. PETG is usually the next step when you want stronger functional parts.
How Much Is the Filament for a 3D Printer in Australia?
Australian filament prices vary by material, spool size, colour and quality. The table below shows current FilamentHub pricing and a simple cost-per-100g breakdown.
| Filament Type | Spool Size | Price | Approx. Cost Per 100g |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA+ / Matte PLA | 1kg | $18.99 | $1.90 |
| PLA Silk | 1kg | $19.99 | $2.00 |
| PETG | 1kg | $16.99 | $1.70 |
| ABS | 1kg | $16.99 | $1.70 |
| ASA | 1kg | $24.99 | $2.50 |
| TPU | 1kg | $28.99 | $2.90 |
| Rainbow Filament | 1kg | $24.99 | $2.50 |
| PVA Support Filament | 0.5kg | $24.99 | $5.00 |
How Much Does Filament Cost Per Print?
The cost of a print depends on how many grams of filament your slicer says the model will use. As a rough guide, a $18.99 PLA+ spool works out to about 1.9 cents per gram.
| Print Size | Approx. Filament Used | PLA+ Cost Example | PETG Cost Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small print | 20g | About $0.38 | About $0.34 |
| Medium print | 100g | About $1.90 | About $1.70 |
| Large print | 300g | About $5.70 | About $5.10 |
These examples only cover filament material cost. They do not include electricity, printer wear, failed prints or shipping.
How Long Does a 1kg Spool Last?
A 1kg spool contains 1000g of filament. That means it can make roughly 50 small 20g prints, 10 medium 100g prints, or 4 larger 250g prints. Large cosplay parts, big prototypes and high-infill functional parts will use a spool much faster.
Your slicer is the best guide. Before printing, check the estimated filament usage in grams, then multiply it by the approximate cost per gram.
Why Do Some Filaments Cost More?
Not every filament is designed for the same job. PLA is affordable and beginner-friendly. PETG and ABS are useful for functional parts. ASA, TPU and PVA cost more because they are more specialised.
| Material | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PLA / PLA+ | Beginners, models and general prints | Easy to print and affordable |
| PETG | Functional everyday parts | Stronger and more practical than PLA |
| ABS | Indoor functional parts | Cost-effective but needs better setup |
| ASA | Outdoor and automotive parts | Better UV and weather resistance |
| TPU | Flexible parts | Great for grips, bumpers and soft parts |
| PVA | Support material | Used for complex support structures |
Is Cheap Filament Worth It?
Cheap filament can be good value, but only when it still prints reliably. Poor winding, inconsistent diameter, moisture problems or colour variation can quickly waste more money than you saved.
The Real Cost Is Failed Prints
A low spool price does not help if the filament causes jams, poor layers or failed overnight prints. Good-value filament should be affordable and consistent.
FilamentHub keeps pricing cheaper than average by reducing overhead costs, while still offering useful quality features such as ±0.02mm tolerance, neat winding, vacuum sealed packaging, fast Australian dispatch, local support, a wide colour range and compatibility with popular printers including Bambu Lab, Creality, Prusa and Anycubic.
Does Shipping Change the Total Cost?
Yes. Shipping is not included in the prices above, so the final cost depends on your order and delivery location. To help reduce the cost per roll, FilamentHub offers a $5 shipping discount per 5 rolls ordered. Local pickup is also available.
What Filament Should Beginners Buy First?
PLA or PLA+ is the best first choice for most beginners. It is easy to print, affordable and works well on most common 3D printers. Matte PLA and Silk PLA are good options when appearance matters.
PETG is the next best step if you want stronger, more practical parts. For a deeper comparison, read our guide: PLA vs PETG: Which Filament Should You Use?
Where To Buy 3D Printer Filament in Australia
FilamentHub stocks affordable 3D printer filament in Australia, including beginner-friendly PLA, practical PETG and functional ABS options. If you're ready to buy, use the buttons below to jump straight to the main filament collections.
Shop Affordable 3D Printer Filament
Browse affordable 3D printer filament with neat winding, vacuum sealed packaging, ±0.02mm tolerance, fast Australian dispatch and local support.
Shop PLA Filament Shop PETG Filament Shop ABS Filament