6 Best Clear PETG Filament
When making a 3D print, one of the most crucial steps is getting the filament onto the printer. This is because not all filaments are created equal.
Clear PETG filament is preferred because of its versatility in creating translucent options. However, it’s essential to understand that clear PETG is not completely transparent.
We will discuss what makes the six products below different from other filaments and give our top recommendations for different uses and printers.
1. OVERTURE Transparent Clear PETG Filament
The OVERTURE Transparent Clear PETG Filament is the best overall clear PETG filament on the market. It has high impact resistance, is non-toxic, and is recyclable.
The best thing about this material is that it does not warp because of the clog-free patented design. Drying takes about 24 hours, and this is considered one of the more sensitive PETG filaments to moisture.
The drawback of this material is that it can be more expensive than other options, but the quality makes up for the price difference. However, it’s still relatively affordable, around $20.00 per spool.
This filament also provides dimensional accuracy of 99% with a 1.75mm diameter. This self-adaptive control system is beneficial in providing better printing forgiveness and precision.
2. Polymaker Clear PETG Filament
The Polymaker Clear PETG Filament has a high impact strength, which makes it perfect for printing objects that need to be durable. It also has low shrinkage to get better-quality prints with minimal warping.
This filament is also compatible with most 3D printers, so there are no compatibility issues when using this filament. It is one of the best PETG filaments in the market because it is high quality and can be used on almost any 3D printer.
It also has a diameter of 1.75mm and comes in two different spool sizes. This can be used with an extruder temperature of 230-240 degrees Celsius and a bed temperature of 70 degrees Celsius.
The filament has an excellent surface finish and is not brittle or glossy. It is a good choice for those looking for an affordable, high-quality, and strong 3D printing material.
3. SainSmart PRO-3 Clear PETG Filament
The SainSmart PRO-3 Clear PETG Filament is popular for 3D printing because it is strong, durable, and easy to print. The clear, translucent printing ability is highly efficient too.
This product is made of high-quality material that ensures a clean and smooth finish on prints. It works well with most 3D printers and has a diameter of 1.75mm, which is perfect for many projects.
The filament prints at 230-260°C with a heated bed temperature of 60°C and an extrusion speed of 50-100mm/s, which means it can create strong parts quickly while still maintaining excellent surface quality.
Other key features to keep in mind when considering this filament are below.
- 100% tangle free with no clogging
- +/-0. 02mm error rate
- Smart length indicator
The best thing about this filament is its versatility. It provides similar strength and durability as ABS while remaining reliable and easy to use, like a traditional PLA filament.
4. HATCHBOX Clear PETG 3D Printer Filament
The Hatchbox Clear PETG Filament is a good choice for those looking to print objects with clarity or transparency. It also has the best price per volume ratio among all other filaments on the market.
It is compatible with most FDM printers and has a 1.75mm diameter and a 2.2 lbs per spool size. Users can also expect improved layer adhesion when relying on this clear 3D printer filament.
This filament is flexible, strong, and durable. It can be used in applications that need to be resistant to UV light or water, making it perfect for outdoor signage or window displays.
5. DURAMIC Clear 1.75mm PETG Filament
The Duramic Clear PETG Filament is a clear and robust filament that is made from high-quality materials. Many 3d printer owners have widely used it because it provides a high-quality print at an affordable price.
This filament has a 1.75mm diameter and comes on a spool of 1kg, which is enough to print many objects. The printing accuracy is also impeccable; this filament provides a ±0.05mm tolerance with excellent consistency.
This PETG filament works best with FDM 3D printers, and it’s effortless to feed into printer extruders for faster print results. The ideal settings for this printer can be adjusted for the following too.
- Nozzle Temperature: 240 ± 10°C
- Bed Temp: 70°C - 80°C
- Print Speed: 60-90mm/s
This clear filament is a translucent material so that all prints will resemble this design style. It’s one of the perfect options for creating high-quality transparent 3D objects.
6. Formfutura Clear PETG Filament
The Formfutura Clear PETG Filament is one of the best options for many 3D printing needs. It is a strong and flexible filament that is easy to print with and has excellent layer adhesion.
It is a general-purpose filament but has a higher melting temperature than PLA, ABS, or HIPS. It’s also one of the most distinctly transparent and high gloss clear filaments with an odorless print process.
All users of this filament can expect excellent heat resistance, strength, and print object transparency. The surface finish tends to have a beautiful high gloss design too.
This is also graded as a heavy-duty filament type. This means it provides better thermal stability and the chances of clogging are low.
Can PETG Filament Be Transparent?
Yes, PETG filament can be used to create transparent prints. Compared to other materials like PLA, it provides less transparent results, but overall the prints are high-quality with many great features.
However, it is essential to remember that not all PETG filaments are entirely transparent, and results are more translucent than completely transparent. But still, this filament can be used to create prints with very high transparency compared to most materials.
It’s also much more challenging to get transparent 3D prints using PETG on an FDM printer. Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing is more commonly used to create transparent objects because of how effective clear resin can be.
The transparency will depend on how much of the filament is exposed to the air during printing. This clear filament will generally result in a translucent part, but full transparency requires a different printer and material type.
What Are The Optimal Clear PETG Filament 3D Printer Settings?
One of the great things about PETG is that the filaments behave very similarly to other materials like PLA or ABS by taking the best about each filament and creating one superior material.
However, printing clear PETG requires a slight setting adjustment to get those translucent results. This includes print speed, build surface, nozzle temperatures, retraction, and cooling settings.
Print Speed
When printing clear PETG, the best thing is to lower the speed to around 60 mm/s. This is typically the slowest recommended speed for any PETG filament and allows for better print details.
Nozzle Temperature
The nozzle temperature is recommended with each filament type, and the average range is between 220 and 265 °C.
Retraction
The ideal retraction speed when printing with clear PETG is 25 mm/s. This works for both types of extruders to produce more detailed prints with a reduced risk of oozing or stringing.
Cooling
The cooling fans on the print aren't required with all prints. However, using clear PETG filament requires more detail so turning the fans on is beneficial to improve print quality.
Benefits Of Printing With Clear PETG Filament
There are several benefits of printing with clear PETG filaments. One of the most important benefits of using PETG is that it is a very safe material.. Since PETG is very durable plastic, clear prints can also be used in outdoor applications.
This makes it an excellent choice for printing designs for children. PETG is also very easy to clean, making it a great option for various 3D applications.
Translucent Printing Capabilities
One of the most essential benefits is creating incredibly translucent prints. This can be great for showcasing designs, prototypes, or even images.
To create a genuinely translucent print, clear PETG filament is required. These filaments are designed to be significantly more transparent than standard PETG filaments.
By choosing the type of PETG that is designed to be transparent, the prints will have a crystal clear look. It’s also possible to add a glossy finish to the surface depending on the filament used.
Strong Layer Adhesion
Another vital advantage of printing with PETG is its strong layer adhesion. This means that layers will stick to the build plate while printing without curling or clogging.
PETG is a great filament to use if layer adhesion is a concern. It works extremely well when printing a large model or creating a prototype. However, layer adhesion also depends on print speed and temperatures.
When all of these settings align correctly and layer adhesion is strong, the prints display improved dimension accuracy too.
Water Resistance
Another critical advantage of printing with PETG is the high level of water and moisture resistance. This means that printed models will be able to withstand more water exposure compared to other filaments.
This is one reason why using PETG is so beneficial compared to a clear PLA filament. They both are simple to use and easy to print with, but PETG provides water resistance and other technical properties that rank much higher.
Are There Other Clear Filaments Better Than PETG?
There are a few different clear filaments that can be used to create clear prints. However, not all of these filaments are better than PETG.
Some of the other potential clear filaments worth considering include PLA, ABS, PMMA, and PC.
PLA Filament
PLA is a biodegradable plastic that can be used to create clear prints. While PLA is one of the most common materials and is an excellent choice for many projects, it is not the best material for creating truly translucent prints.
PLA is not as strong and durable as PETG, so it is not recommended for uses that require a lot of strength. It also has a much lower melting point, so it is not ideal for large prints that require higher temperatures.
Another important difference between PLA and PETG is that PLA is not as resistant to water. While it is still resistant to moisture better than most materials, it is not as water resistant as PETG.
PETG is simply the much more reliable option for durability. The technical properties are much better and PETG is still flexible enough for a wide range of applications.
ABS Filament
ABS stands for Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, which is a type of plastic that is commonly used in 3D printing. It’s a solid choice to print transparent objects because it's a clear material but difficult to use for beginners.
This is a durable thermoplastic with excellent electrical insulation properties, high temperature resistance, and flexibility. However, it’s also much more toxic and unhealthy to use compared to PETG.
PMMA Filament
PolyMethylMethAcrylate (PMMA) is a type of acrylic that can be used to create a crystal-clear print. It’s actually one of the best choices for clear 3D printing and its natural form is used as a glass replacement.
For simply getting the clearest print, PMMA outranks PETG because PETG has a higher tendency to cloud. The surface is softer compared to acrylics and it’s impossible to provide the same level of clarity.
However, it also has some disadvantages, such as warping and poor layer adhesion. While PMMA is an excellent material, it is often more expensive than PETG. This can make it a less attractive option for many hobbyists or beginners.
PC Filament
Polycarbonate (PC) is another type of acrylic that can be used to create an extremely clear print. PC is also commonly used in various materials, including bulletproof glass and riot shields.
PC is great for printing large objects or creating strong parts for outdoor applications. This is a very durable polymer and is often used in industrial applications.
This material is a great choice to create a very durable piece with high transparency. It has better strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance with lots of flexibility.
However, printing is much more difficult and PC has a tendency to warp with higher printing temperatures. It’s also more toxic and expensive for larger 3D printing needs.
