Ganesh Divte
You must be familiar with PLA filament if you have any knowledge of 3D printing. How much do you actually know, though? In its most basic form, PLA is created from organic components like cornstarch. As a result, PLA has a natural tendency to be somewhat transparent.
PLA is a popular choice for 3D printing, but its naturally cloudy or even yellow appearance may not be ideal for certain projects. Thankfully, there are methods to achieve clearer transparency by exposing and bringing out PLA’s natural transparency. Polymerization and condensation processes utilize metal catalysts, lactide chemicals, and heating processes to make PLA visibly more clear – eliminating the unwanted yellow hue.
If you are looking for a great clear PLA filament, you can rest assured you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best clarity brand offerings available. We’ll look at their quality, price points and any other notable features that make them stand out.
Printing Tips
Printing in transparent PLA does not necessarily require a different method than printing with regular PLA – though it may reap better results if tweaked correctly. If you are striving for the most transparent model possible, it is recommended that you run a higher temperature in your hot end, as well as use a low infill and larger layer height. Doing so will melt the plastic thoroughly and evenly, spread it out to maximize visibility, and keep any internal spaces from becoming too solid or dense.
That being said, let’s get down to business – take a deep breath and with haste let’s see what’s on this list!
Hatchbox
Hatchbox is one of the most popular filaments in the hobbyist community, as it offers a wide selection of reliable and affordable options. Unlike many other brands, Hatchbox’s top-notch translucent PLA filaments come in a vibrant array of colours like clear white, black, blue, red, green, yellow, and orange.
If you’re looking for a filament that provides an impressive level of transparency without any issues, the filament offers a great option. This filament operates at a low nozzle temperature and its ±0.03 mm dimensional tolerance should prevent any potential nozzle jams from occurring. While this filament is typically durable, some users have reported brittle or weak prints when using it, so be sure to properly dry your spool before printing to maximize the life of your projects.
- Price: ~$25/kg
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- colours: Clear, black, blue, red, green, yellow, orange
- Level of transparency: Medium
- Tolerance: ±0.03 mm
Solutech
Solutech offers an incredible variety of non-standard printing solutions, such as their well-received clear PLA filament. Customers report a wide range of results with this product, ranging from cloudy to translucent – so much will depend on the specific printer and settings you’re running. While many filaments require heated beds, Solutech has noted that it is unnecessary for this particular one.
Furthermore, it produces no potentially harmful fumes or bubbles during the printing process.
- Price: ~$20/kg
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Color: Clear
- Level of transparency: Low
- Tolerance: ±0.03 mm
MatterHackers
MatterHackers, an online seller of 3D printing supplies and brands like Lulzbot, Creality, and Ultimaker, has created a Pro series of its own filament. This includes a line of near-invisible, translucent PLA filaments in tones across the rainbow.
Not just transparent, clear or opaque colours like blue, violet or red are also available; you can find 1.75- and 2.85-mm diameters compatible with your 3D printer even for hard-to-find colours like green or yellow.
- Price: ~$52/kg
- Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
- colours: Clear, natural, red, aqua, blue, green, violet, dark purple, ice blue, and more
- Level of transparency: Low-medium
- Tolerance: ±0.02 mm
Fillamentum
Filamentum is a leading producer of filaments that come in many different materials and colours. Their Crystal Clear line of filament is a popular choice for many reasons, not least of which is its food-contact approval. Even better, the Crystal Clear range has a few other interesting options to choose from, including multiple colours like yellow and red. As with any food-safe project, it’s important to adhere to other recommended regulations when using Fillamentum’s filament
If you’re looking for beautiful prints in a variety of colours, this filament is perfect. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, it should yield incredibly clear and glossy results – and customers seem happy to confirm this! One customer even notes that they needed to turn up the temperature to get the best possible bed adhesion, while another reports great success with achieving shiny prints.
- Price: $35-$40/kg
- Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
- colours: Clear, blue, two green hues, orange, purple
- Level of transparency: Medium
- Tolerance: ±0.05 mm
Prusa Research
Prusa Research has quickly established itself as a leader in open-source 3D printing, and their products have been met with wide praise from industry professionals. Prusa’s own line of filament, Prusament, stands out for its quality and affordability.
Their Natureworks 4043D resin-based PLA filament has several advantages; it boasts a gentle melting temperature of 175°C and is known to produce prints that warp less than other colours of the same type. Additionally, this type of PLA is quite brittle, meaning more care must be taken when handling the finished product.
- Price: ~$27/kg
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Color: Clear
- Level of transparency: High
- Tolerance: ±0.05 mm
eSun
eSun continues to be a leader in the 3D printing industry with its extensive selection of filament materials. The company’s PLA filament comes in many different, intriguing varieties such as UV colour-changing, glow-in-the-dark, and more. But for those who want something transparent and eye-catching, there’s also eSun’s Glass PLA. Though it is available in plenty of hues from eSun directly, some third-party retailers may only stock the basic clear option.
For those looking for a translucent white filament with a uniform diameter and affordability in mind, this filament is an ideal option. With the ±0.05 mm diameter tolerance and low cost, it is the perfect choice for anyone looking to create that special lighting effect without breaking the bank. According to reviews, this filament will let light pass through but won’t be completely transparent – however reviewers have posted images that show off what can be achieved with this product,
- Price: ~$24/kg
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Color: Clear
- Level of transparency: Medium
- Tolerance: ±0.05 mm
Sunlu
Sunlu is making a name for itself in the world of 3D printing supplies. It offers everything from PLA filaments to 3D printers, and many are pleased with their experience. Clear PLA filament makes for especially interesting prints since it’s semi-transparent.
Sunlu promises its filament is clog-free, bubble-free and easy to use, plus it undergoes a 24-hour drying period before packaging – yet customer reviews are mixed with some praising the excellent bed adhesion while others experienced clogs.
- Price: ~$25/kg
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Color: Clear
- Level of transparency: Medium
- Tolerance: ±0.02 mm
Protopasta
ProtoPlant has been a popular provider of 3D printing filament since 2018, and they have recently released their own version of PLA known as HTPLA. Custom-made for today’s top 3D print applications, ProtoPlant’s HTPLA has improved characteristics over regular PLA filaments in terms of both strength and thermal performance. In addition to standard colours, they also offer translucent versions with the clearest being one called Iridescent Ice.
Despite being their most transparent filament, Iridescent Ice is still more translucent than fully clear. Customers have praised the filament’s semi-transparency when it comes to printing vases, as well as lampshades as the material transmits light very well. It allows for a dimmed effect to be created through the mixing of colours in each lamp and gives a very unique look to each item.
- Price: $35-$70/kg
- Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
- colours: Clear, red, silver, orange, purple, blue
- Level of transparency: Medium
- Tolerance: Not specified
Tecbears
Tecbears is the ultimate destination for anyone interested in 3D printing. Their selection of filaments, available in PLA, ABS, TPU and carbon fibre, caters to the needs of a wide variety of users. However, it’s their clear PLA filament which stands out amongst its competitors – not only is it made from 100% eco-friendly materials, but it features incredibly high temperatures to ensure reliable prints every time.
Tecbears offers a clear PLA filament that certainly lives up to its claims – no clogging, minimal warping and very little stringing. Previous customers have vouched for the quality of this product, expressing its transparency and lack of build-up in the nozzle.
- Price: ~$23/kg
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Color: Clear
- Level of transparency: Medium
- Tolerance: ±0.02 mm
Eryone
Eryone is leading the way in 3D printing. Not only are they a company that makes and sells their own line of 3D printers but they also have their own special filament. Their clear PLA filament is specially designed to prevent nozzle jams as well as reduce tangles, which can make all of your 3D printing projects run much smoother and with less stress.
The images provided by the company show off the impressive transparency of their 3D printer filament. The such high-quality filament is usually a result of extensive testing, and this company did not disappoint. Their filament has been tested on a few different brands of 3D printers with great results, but users have to experiment with temperatures in order to get optimal prints.
- Price: ~$25/kg
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Color: Clear
- Level of transparency: Medium
- Tolerance: ±0.05 mm
Amazon Basics
Amazon Basics have revolutionized the way we shop for consumer goods, with its wide range of products extending from everyday kitchen gadgets to cutting-edge technology accessories like 3D printing filament. The translucent PLA filament featured in the image above isn’t crystal clear, but it’s great value for money and easy to get hold of. Additionally, there’s also a version made with a striking translucent red colour – perfect for designers and creatives who require that extra edge.
Although Amazon PLA filament has a dimensional tolerance of ±0.02 mm, eerily close to perfection, some users have experienced nozzle jams and adhesion issues when printing with it. Although this tolerance is great on paper, unexpected jamming can be a major inconvenience; thankfully, most of these issues can usually be resolved by performing a thorough cleaning of the print head.
- Price: ~$23/kg
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- colours: Clear, red
- Level of transparency: Low
- Tolerance: ±0.02 mm
Bonus: Overture PETG
Lastly, Overture is a well-known 3D printing filament manufacturer that also offers additional accessories such as build plates. Not only have customer reviews been overwhelmingly positive to Overture’s special PETG material, but visuals of the prints show that this filament produces some of the most impressive transparency qualities available.
With PLA-level ease and minimal clogging, bubble-free prints are nearly guaranteed with Overture’s PETG, however, users should be cautious to pay attention to the temperature setting while printing. This thermally sensitive filament is sure to provide clear prints each and every time with careful consideration beforehand.
- Price: ~$20/kg
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- colours: Clear, red, blue, green
- Level of transparency: High
- Tolerance: ±0.05 mm
Ganesh Divte
I am Ganesh Divte. I work as a Quality Assurance Engineer at Dhruvtara WireTech PVT LTD. I have experience in SLS, DMSL, FDM, and SLA additive manufacturing processes. I am very enthusiastic about additive manufacturing and its potential to change the way we manufacture products. I believe that Additive Manufacturing has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing industry and make it more efficient and sustainable.
