Translucent / transparent filament

Translucent / transparent filament

In 3D printing and the world of plastics in general, it's easy to find translucent or transparent plastics. However, the FDM technology, which works by stacking layers, inevitably causes anisotropic light refraction that disrupts the transparency your filament might offer.

Nevertheless, one can distinguish between a translucent material and a transparent one. Due to its clarity level, a translucent material lets light pass through but does not allow clear visibility. A transparent plastic allows more distinct, sometimes even perfect, visibility through the object.

Whether you use a transparent or translucent filament, it's important to note that your 3D prints will be affected by this layer stacking phenomenon. This translucent effect can be improved depending on your design and settings.

3D Printing with Transparent Filaments

By default, the most effective transparent filaments are, in order, PC polycarbonate, PETG, and PP. The first is used for glasses lenses or camera covers due to its optical performance in terms of transparency.

Many manufacturers offer these so-called natural or transparent polycarbonate filaments. Simpler and delivering similar results, the PETG family also offers good clarity or transparency for natural or clear variants.

You will also find a selection of more standard products like PLA or ABS, which are also available in these versions but offer less transparency than the aforementioned materials.

A translucent filament by default lacks transparency and only allows diffused light to pass through, unlike an opaque filament. Thus, some natural materials like nylon exhibit this type of behavior.

In most cases, your applications will result in a more translucent than transparent finish.

Chemical smoothing is an interesting option to increase this transparency effect (e.g., Polysmooth clear / Polysher). Fine sanding can also yield good results with PC. The condition is always to print only thin shells and to treat them on both sides.

How to Choose Your Translucent Filament?

In this category of 3D printing filaments, you will find simple filaments like PLA and PETG, as well as more technical ones like certain nylon, polypropylene, or polycarbonate filaments. Therefore, it's important to assess your needs and equipment capabilities to make the right choice.

Which Translucent 3D Filament Spool to Buy?

Whether for design applications, models, architectural projects, or prototyping, your choice should be based on your 3D printer’s filament diameter and performance capabilities.

If translucency is your priority, discover Forshape transparent resins and LCD technology printers, which are more accessible and much more effective for applications requiring true transparency.