3D printing cosplays has become even more popular. It’s great way to craft accurate and durable props and costumes. However there’s an abundance of printers and materials out there to choose from and it may feel overwhelming making a decision of which is right for you. These 3D printing materials for cosplay are full of potential to help you bring your costumes to life.
Resin Printing
Resin printing is great for small pieces or jewelry for your cosplays. It’s known for creating fine details with more precision than any other 3D printer. It utilizes resin to create the models and also requires a curing process on top of the printing process.
- Pros: High-quality fine details, smooth surfaces
- Cons: Expensive, smaller build volume, more complex printing process
3D Printing Materials for Cosplay: Resin Vs Filament
Resin and filament are very different materials to 3D print with and require entirely different printers. Resin is often more desirable for heavily detailed, intricate designs where precision is key. Whereas filament printers are better for larger and more functional prints. Filament printing can also be seen as easier and cheaper than resin.
Filament Printing
While resin printers strictly use resins, filament printing has a variety of options in filament.
PLA
Short for polylactic acid, PLA is a biodegradable and easy to work with. It’s often used for prototypes, beginner material, decorative prints or creating with a smooth finish.
- Pros: Environmentally friendly, variety of colors and finishes (matte vs silk), easy to print, low odor, durable
- Cons: Low heat resistance, not flexible, tougher to sand
PETG
PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) offers a balance of strength and flexibility and is often easier to sand over PLAs. This filament is great for creating see through components.
- Pros: Options that are transparent and clear, durable, easy to print, easier to sand
- Cons: Stringing
ABS
The key difference of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) as compared to PETG and PLA is the fact it’s far more heat resistant. They’re great for costumes that will be outside often or under lots of heat.
- Pros: More durable, more impact resistant, heat resistant
- Cons: Warping, obvious smell
Specialty Filaments
While your standard filaments are PLA, PETG and ABS, there is also specialty filaments that you use in more specific situations.
- TPU or TPE – This is the most flexible filament and can create rubber-like parts.
- Wood PLA – While this is essentially PLA, it’s colored to look like wood so you can create realistic “wooden” props.
- ASA – This filament is similar to ABS but is more weather resistant and has good UV stability. It requires precise control for printing temperature.
- PC – Polycarbonate is known for it’s strength, heat resistance and stability.
- Fiber reinforced – You can get PLA or ABS based filament that’s are reinforced with carbon fiber to increase the stiffness and strength of your prints.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: there may be a few links in this post that are affiliate links. Clicking these links or making purchases through these links can help support myself and this blog.