Is Making Your Own Filament Cheaper Than Buying It?
With 3D printing growing in popularity, many creators and hobbyists are exploring whether they can save money by making their own filament. Machines like the Felfil Evo Bundle offer the tools to recycle plastic or use raw pellets to create custom filament spools.
But is it actually cheaper than buying filament? Let’s break it down with real-world costs and considerations.
💸 Upfront Investment
- Felfil Evo Extruder + Spooler: $1,549–$1,589
- Shredder (optional but useful): $1549-1849
- 3D Printing Pellets">Pellets or scrap plastic: $2–$8/kg
- Add-ons: drying kits, air filters, colorants
⚖️ DIY Filament vs. Store-Bought: Cost Per Kilogram
| Item | DIY Filament | Commercial Filament |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Material (Pellets) | $2–$8 / kg | – |
| Color/Additives | $0.50–$1.50 / kg | – |
| Energy | ~$1.00 / kg | – |
| Total DIY Cost | $3.50–$10 / kg | – |
| Off-the-Shelf Filament | – | $18–$30+ / kg |
⚠️ What About Quality?
DIY filament can be hit-or-miss. You’ll need to control:
- Extrusion temperature and speed
- Drying materials to prevent bubbles
- Diameter consistency (±0.05mm is ideal)
Failing to get this right could lead to poor print quality, jams, or wasted material — which defeats the purpose of saving money.
♻️ Who Should Consider DIY Filament?
- Frequent users (10+ kg/month)
- People with access to cheap or free plastic waste
- Users needing unique blends or custom colors
- Eco-conscious makers looking to recycle failed prints
🛑 When Buying Filament Is a Better Choice
- You print casually (less than 5 kg/month)
- You need consistent, high-performance results
- You don’t want the setup and learning curve
🧠 Pro Tip from 3DPrintiverse
Use DIY filament for R&D, recycled test prints, or creative experiments. For mission-critical prints or customer orders, stick with trusted 3DPrintiverse Filaments.
✔ Final Verdict
Yes, making your own filament can be cheaper — but only if you're ready to invest time and use it consistently.
💬 What Do You Think?
Have you made your own filament? Planning to? Drop your thoughts or questions below — we’d love to hear your experience!
