Here in South East Queensland, humidity is the number one cause of bad prints. Filament slowly absorbs moisture from the air, and wet filament prints badly. Here's how we keep 40+ spools in top shape.
Signs your filament is wet
- Popping or crackling sounds from the nozzle
- Lots of stringing and fuzzy surfaces
- Brittle filament that snaps easily on the spool
- Weak layers and rough, bubbly finishes
Store it sealed and dry
Keep spools you aren't using in an airtight container with desiccant, and aim for below about 20% humidity inside.
Drying wet filament
A dedicated filament dryer is the easiest option. As a guide, PLA dries at about 45–50 °C and PETG at about 60–65 °C, for 4–6 hours. Always check the manufacturer's recommendation.
Which filaments are most sensitive?
| Filament | Moisture sensitivity | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | Low–medium | Store sealed; dry if stringy |
| PETG | Medium | Dry before important prints |
| ABS | Medium | Store sealed |
| TPU / Nylon | High | Print straight from a dry box |
Rather leave it to us? Every spool in our studio is stored dry, so your prints come out clean. Get an instant price.
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