{
  "question": "What filament should I use for miniatures?",
  "slug": "miniatures",
  "useCase": "miniatures",
  "useCaseLabel": "Miniatures",
  "updated": "2026-10-14",
  "shortAnswer": "Print miniatures in PLA. Prusa names PLA for detailed models and figures, and the r/PrintedMinis threads about small models are about PLA and PLA+, not ABS or ASA.",
  "recommendedMaterials": [
    "pla",
    "pla-plus"
  ],
  "printerConsiderations": [
    "Detail at 28 mm is a nozzle and layer-height problem as much as a polymer problem. A 0.4 mm nozzle will not match a 0.2 mm nozzle, whatever the spool says.",
    "Keep the printer cool enough for PLA. An enclosure that helps ASA will hurt a small PLA print that needs part cooling.",
    "Matte PLA can hide layer lines; some miniature printers also call matte slightly abrasive. If the product page records a hardened nozzle, believe that cell."
  ],
  "pros": [
    "PLA is the low-warp material Prusa recommends for figures, statues, and other detailed models.",
    "The four rows are ordinary PLA or PLA+, which is what the miniature threads actually print."
  ],
  "cons": [
    "A tabletop miniature left in a hot car is still PLA. Prusa’s softening warning applies.",
    "FDM layer lines do not disappear because the brand is good. The PrintedMinis thread also says a resin printer is the display-quality route."
  ],
  "community": "r/PrintedMinis asks which PLA, not whether to switch to PETG, for 28 mm models. Replies name Bambu PLA, Elegoo PLA+, eSUN PLA+, and matte PLA, argue about layer lines and paint, and tell people to dry the spool. PETG appears as a sturdier option for larger, less detailed models. Resin is the comparison when the goal is display detail.",
  "related": [
    "beginners",
    "cosplay",
    "open-printer"
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Should miniatures be PLA+?",
      "a": "Plain PLA is the first recommendation because that is the detailed-model material in Prusa’s guide. PLA+ is on the list because miniature printers use it when plain PLA feels brittle. Neither one is a different printing process."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does this catalog store a ‘best for minis’ flag?",
      "a": "No. The table is temperature, price per kilogram, datasheet, and affiliate link from the product record. The ranking is the guide."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "PLA, Prusa Knowledge Base",
      "url": "https://help.prusa3d.com/article/pla_2062",
      "kind": "manufacturer"
    },
    {
      "title": "Prusa filament material guide",
      "url": "https://help.prusa3d.com/filament-material-guide",
      "kind": "manufacturer"
    },
    {
      "title": "What filament do you use for printing miniatures?, r/PrintedMinis",
      "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/PrintedMinis/comments/1l27187/what_filament_do_you_use_for_printing_miniatures/",
      "kind": "reddit"
    },
    {
      "title": "Best filament for 3D printed minis?, r/PrintedMinis",
      "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/PrintedMinis/comments/1riroz8/best_filament_for_3d_printed_minis_pla_vs_pla_vs/",
      "kind": "reddit"
    }
  ],
  "recommendations": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "note": "Plain PLA with a tight listed nozzle range. The material Prusa points at figures and small detail.",
      "brand": "Prusament",
      "product": "PLA",
      "material": "PLA",
      "url": "/brand/prusament/pla",
      "nozzle": "205–225 °C",
      "bed": "40–60 °C",
      "pricePerKg": null,
      "datasheetUrl": null,
      "affiliateUrl": null
    },
    {
      "rank": 2,
      "note": "A second plain PLA with nozzle and bed listed, if that is the spool already on the printer.",
      "brand": "Polymaker",
      "product": "Polylite PLA",
      "material": "PLA",
      "url": "/brand/polymaker/polylite-pla",
      "nozzle": "190–230 °C",
      "bed": "25–60 °C",
      "pricePerKg": null,
      "datasheetUrl": "https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0548/7299/7945/files/PolyLite_PLA_TDS_EN_V5.4.pdf",
      "affiliateUrl": null
    },
    {
      "rank": 3,
      "note": "Elegoo PLA comes up in the miniature threads as a cheap PLA that still holds detail. This row is the basic PLA, not a filled grade.",
      "brand": "ELEGOO",
      "product": "PLA Basic",
      "material": "PLA",
      "url": "/brand/elegoo/pla-basic",
      "nozzle": "190–230 °C",
      "bed": "35–65 °C",
      "pricePerKg": null,
      "datasheetUrl": null,
      "affiliateUrl": null
    },
    {
      "rank": 4,
      "note": "PLA+ is what several miniature printers name for a less brittle model. It is still PLA-family, and the ‘plus’ formula is this product’s, not a standard.",
      "brand": "eSUN 3D",
      "product": "PLA+",
      "material": "PLA+",
      "url": "/brand/esun-3d/pla-plus",
      "nozzle": "190–230 °C",
      "bed": "50–70 °C",
      "pricePerKg": null,
      "datasheetUrl": null,
      "affiliateUrl": null
    }
  ]
}