If you like your prints shiny and bright, glow-in-the-dark filament is for you. Read on for the best brands of glow-in-the-dark PLA!
Glow-in-the-dark filament is like any standard filament but with one key difference: It glows after being charged with light. This effect is achieved by additives such as strontium aluminate (and sometimes zinc sulfide and calcium sulfide), which absorb UV light and re-emit it as visible light. You’ll find glow-in-the-dark variants of PLA, ABS, and more, and they’re the perfect way to add a glowing effect to a decorative or cosplay print!
The same aspects that indicate a quality regular filament make a quality glow-in-the-dark filament. When you’re choosing a new filament, look for cross-section roundness (i.e. closeness to a perfect circle), diameter consistency, color consistency, and the like. The consistency of the winding on the spool can also be a good indicator of quality.
Then, for glow-in-the-dark filaments specifically, look for glow color, brightness, and glow time; the intensity and duration of glow can vary across brands. You might also want to consider the non-glowing (natural) color of the filament.
Coming up are some of the best brands that will make your prints glow. But before we get to the list, let’s quickly educate ourselves on how we can best print this special material.
Printing Tips
Glow-in-the-dark filaments should print similarly to their base materials, so consult your manufacturer’s recommendations. For each of the options we’ve listed below, we’ve compiled the necessary information for you.
While printing, be aware that the glow-in-the-dark additives are highly abrasive. This means that they will damage the brass nozzles that usually come stock on 3D printers. Make sure you’re printing with a hardened steel or ruby nozzle (or the like), just as you would with other fiber-filled materials.
In addition, note that the final glow of your prints will depend on infill density and light exposure. A higher-density infill will yield a brighter glow, as will exposure to UV light. Think ahead about how you plan on using the material and how you’ll be “charging” it.
If you’d like to print something in glow-in-the-dark filament but don’t want to upgrade your nozzle, try FacFox 3D printing services. With just a few clicks, you’ll be able to get your model printed and shipped to you at a great price.
And now, onto the brands!
Amolen
Amolen glow-in-the-dark offers something unique on this list: a remarkable color selection. It’s got green and two kinds of blue, plus a rare red glowing option. And if you just can’t choose, there’s even a rainbow filament! These offerings make Amolen a fun option for those looking to play around with glow colors.
Even better, if you’re looking for something that has a little more sparkle, Amolen’s Shining Green filament is an excellent choice. Unlike all the other options on this list, which have a smooth glow, the filament incorporates glowing speckles. This makes for a glittery, star-like aesthetic that’s sure to pop.
In terms of price, Amolen occupies a middle ground between the premium and budget options on this list.
- Nozzle temperature: 190-220 °C
- Bed temperature: Ambient-50 °C
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Colors: Green, blue, deep blue, red, shining green, multicolor
- Price: ~$33 for 1 kg
MatterHackers Build Series
MatterHackers is well-known as a 3D printing retailer, but they also produce excellent filament. Their Build Series PLA (there’s also ABS, TPU, and PETG), is marketed as high-value, budget materials for everyday printing. As opposed to the Pro Series which offers superior quality for a higher price (more on that later), the Build Series filament line offers good value and reliability.
Build Series glow-in-the-dark comes in both PLA and ABS, along with green and blue glow colors, which offers some variety for you to get started.
- Nozzle temperatures: 190-220 °C (PLA), 220-240 °C (ABS)
- Bed temperatures: 25-55 °C (PLA), 80-100 °C (ABS)
- Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
- Colors: Green, blue
- Price: ~$25 for 1 kg
ColorFabb
GlowFill is among the classics of glow-in-the-dark filaments, from premium filament maker ColorFabb. It’s part of their line of PLA-PHA blend filaments, which they claim have improved toughness and inter-layer adhesion compared to unblended PLA. As a high-quality material, you can expect clean and reliable prints.
Users have commented that it has good brightness while glowing, though it can fade quickly. When not in the dark, GlowFill is a beautiful, creamy color.
- Nozzle temperature: 195-220 °C
- Bed temperature: 50-60 °C (not required)
- Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
- Color: Green
- Price: ~$46 for 750 g (~$62/kg)
Gizmo Dorks
Gizmo Dorks is one of the cheapest offerings on this list, perfect for tight budgets, while still being from a well-known manufacturer. Its glow-in-the-dark offerings come in PLA, ABS, and HIPS, a remarkably wide range of materials, so you can choose according to your preferences.
Users have commented, though, that the glow is not very bright. To help you decide, check out a sample print for yourself.
- Nozzle temperatures: 190-225 °C (PLA), 230-250 °C (ABS, HIPS)
- Bed temperatures: 60 °C (PLA), 110 °C (ABS, HIPS)
- Diameters: 1.75mm, 2.85 mm
- Color: Green
- Price: ~$24 for 1 kg
Hatchbox
Hatchbox is well-known as a reliable producer of budget materials, and their glow-in-the-dark filament is no different. This makes it another excellent choice for those looking for a value option. They’ve also added a glowing blue filament as well as the standard green.
The above Golden State Warriors logo was printed by a maker and gives a sense of the glow that you can expect. Watch it print on YouTube!
- Nozzle temperature: 180-210 °C
- Bed temperature: Not required
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Colors: Green, blue
- Price: ~$24 for 1 kg
Hello3D
Hello3D is a manufacturer of 3D printing filaments, including an assortment of glow-in-the-dark options. While their luminescent red, blue, and white PLA filaments aren’t currently available, you can still purchase their green and multicolor filaments, with two different color-change distances. This product has a 4-star rating, and reviews compliment the visual appeal of this filament.
According to the manufacturer, this multicolor filament changes between red, blue, and green along the spool about every 30 or 45 grams. Despite the color changes, the entire spool looks milky white when in the light. Also, it’s important to note that unless you expose parts made in this filament to UV light, you may only see a dark green color in the dark.
- Nozzle temperature: 190-220 °C
- Bed temperature: Not specified
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Colors: Multicolor, blue, green, red
- Price: ~$35 for 1 kg
Overture
Overture is another manufacturer of a wide variety of 3D printing filaments, with over eight years of experience in the market. Overture offers many different colors of PLA filament, including a fantastic glow-in-the-dark PLA option, available in the traditional green color.
Reviewers of Overture’s PLA filaments have noted that the filament is pretty reliable. However, the reviews specific to the glow-in-the-dark option have mentioned that parts made in the filament have a weak or short-lasting glow.
- Nozzle temperature: 190-220 °C
- Bed temperature: 25-60 °C
- Diameter: 1.75 mm
- Color: Green
- Price: ~$30 for 1 kg
MatterHackers Pro Series
MatterHackers Pro Series is the premium line from MatterHackers. Compared to their Build Series, Pro Series is tuned for improved surface finish and increased durability and toughness. Many users have commented that print aesthetics overall are improved.
For a high-quality glow-in-the-dark filament, MatterHackers’ Pro Series is a solid choice, though it only comes in green.
- Nozzle temperature: 190-220 °C
- Bed temperature: 25-55 °C
- Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
- Color: Green
- Price: ~$46 for 1 kg
Bonus: NinjaTek
Ninjaflex from Ninjatek is already one of the best flexible filaments out there. Combine that with glow-in-the-dark properties, and you get a truly one-of-a-kind material.
This filament is TPU rather than PLA, so bear that in mind when slicing. Though its glow is lower than some of the other options on this list, this filament fills a very unique position for those who need it; it’ll be hard to find this combination of properties anywhere else.
- Nozzle temperature: 210-225 °C
- Bed temperature: 20-50 °C
- Diameters: 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm
- Color: Green
- Price: ~$55 for 500 g (~$110/kg)
Source: https://all3dp.com/2/glow-in-the-dark-filament-brands-compared/