The Filament
Budget European-manufactured filament with live pricing across -- products. Spectrum's cost-optimized sub-brand on cardboard refill spools.
Last updated: March 2026
The Filament is Spectrum's budget sub-brand, launched at Formnext 2024. It's Spectrum's answer to Chinese budget imports: European-manufactured filament at Chinese prices. The key cost-cutting measure is cardboard refill spools instead of traditional plastic spools, which keeps packaging and material costs down.
Everything is manufactured in Spectrum's European facilities, so you get EU production standards without the usual EU price premium. The catalog covers seven materials from basic PLA through to engineering-grade PCTG, with standard and matte finishes. Currently available through European retailers like 3DJake, shipping to UK, Germany, and France.
The Filament is Spectrum's answer to Chinese budget imports - European-manufactured filament at Chinese prices. Launched at Formnext 2024, it uses cardboard refill spools to cut costs. Very limited community discussion since it's brand new. Positioned as the most affordable European-made filament available.
Because the brand is so new, there isn't a large body of community feedback yet. Early adopters on European 3D printing forums have noted the aggressive pricing and the appeal of buying European-made filament without the typical price premium. The Spectrum pedigree gives it credibility, but real-world consensus will take time to develop.
Materials
The core of The Filament's catalog. Standard PLA available in a range of colors on cardboard refill spools. Manufactured in Europe using Spectrum's production facilities, which means consistent diameter tolerance and reliable bed adhesion. Available in both standard and matte finishes.
At around 14.90 EUR/kg, this is some of the most affordable European-made PLA you can buy. The cardboard spool means you'll need a reusable spool holder or master spool, but the per-kg savings are significant compared to traditional spooled filament from EU manufacturers.
PETG for functional parts that need more heat resistance and impact strength than PLA. Same European manufacturing and cardboard refill spool format. Budget PETG from European manufacturers is relatively uncommon - most EU brands price PETG at a significant premium over PLA.
ABS for heat-resistant and mechanically demanding parts. Requires an enclosed printer and ventilation due to fumes. The classic engineering thermoplastic for parts that need to handle sustained heat (up to ~100C) and mechanical stress.
ASA is UV-stable ABS - the go-to material for outdoor functional parts. It handles direct sunlight without yellowing or becoming brittle. Budget ASA options from European manufacturers are rare, so The Filament's ASA fills an interesting gap in the market.
Flexible TPU for gaskets, phone cases, vibration dampeners, and impact-absorbing parts. TPU is one of the trickier materials to print - it needs slow speeds and a direct-drive extruder for best results.
PCTG is an advanced copolyester that bridges the gap between PETG and PC. It offers better impact resistance and clarity than PETG, with easier printability than polycarbonate. It's a relatively uncommon material in the budget segment, making this offering notable.
PCTG handles higher temperatures than PETG and has superior chemical resistance. Increasingly popular for food-contact applications and transparent parts where PETG's natural haziness is a drawback.
HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) serves two roles: as a dissolvable support material for ABS prints (dissolves in limonene), and as a standalone material for lightweight parts. Easy to print, lightweight, and can be sanded and painted easily.
SpoolHound tracks The Filament prices through 3DJake, which currently stocks the brand across European markets. Prices and availability vary by region.