You just unboxed your first printer and now one question is already nagging at you: which spool should I load first? In 2026 the filament aisle is enormous, and brands like ANTINSKY alone ship dozens of materials. Beginners tend to overthink this, so we have turned the official ANTINSKY guide into a practical, decision-first roadmap that tells you what to buy, in what order, and why.
Step One: Start with PLA+ for Your First Week
PLA+ is the default success material. It prints at a forgiving 190–220°C, needs no heated enclosure, barely warps, and produces crisp details even when your machine setup is still rough. Best of all, it hides beginner mistakes: a slightly wrong Z-offset or a too-fast first layer rarely spells disaster on PLA+.
- Reliable first layers – forgiving adhesion and few surprises
- Zero strong odour – comfortable to print indoors
- Huge colour range – start with what inspires you
- Cheap to fail – wasted spools won't hurt your budget
ANTINSKY's PLA+ Filament 1.75mm 1kg comes in 26 colours at a budget price, vacuum-sealed so every spool prints consistently.
Worth Adding on Week One or Two: Matte and Silk
Once your first prints succeed you will want showpiece finishes. Two variants transform the same geometry into something you can gift:
| Material | Finish | Best For | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA Matte | Soft velvety surface, hides layer lines | Photos, figurines, lifestyle props | 17 |
| PLA Silk | Glossy metallic sheen | Vases, trophies, desk art | 17 |
Step Two: Move Up to PETG for Functional Parts
After PLA, PETG is the natural second filament. It prints almost as easily but is far tougher, so it suits things you actually use: phone stands, brackets, hooks and enclosures. It likes a slightly hotter bed (70–80°C) and slightly slower speeds for a clean finish. ANTINSKY's PETG Filament 1.75mm 1kg gives you 20 colours at a low price per spool.
Step Three: ABS and ASA When You Need Strength and Heat Resistance
For mechanical or heat-resistant parts, ABS and its outdoor-friendly cousin ASA become relevant. Both need a heated bed and ideally an enclosed printer to prevent warping. Upgrade your nozzle temperature to 230–250°C. Try ABS Filament 1.75mm 1kg, upgraded to warp less, or ASA Filament built for the outdoors.
When Flexible Fits In: TPU
TPU is fun but frustrating as a very first material: soft filament can jam in Bowden extruders. Keep it for your second month. ANTINSKY's TPU 85A and TPU 95A give you a choice between supple and stiffer flexibles.
What to Avoid as a Beginner
- PA12 / Nylon and PPS – need high hotend temps, dry storage and experience
- PVA – only useful on dual-extrusion machines for supports
- Cheap mystery filaments – inconsistent diameter causes jams; stick to brands that state a ±0.02 mm tolerance
Putting Together a First-Year Kit
A sensible starter set covers 95% of what you will print in year one: one PLA+, one PLA Silk, one PETG, and a single TPU spool for experiments. All ANTINSKY spools are 1.75 mm (±0.02 mm) and vacuum-sealed. Start with the friendly materials first, add strength later, and you will skip most of the classic beginner headaches.