StarterMate: Filamate’s 3D Printing Novice Kit Offers PLA Filament, Tools & Tutorial–in Designer Storage Box

3D printing filament is the fuel that feeds the fire in 3D printing. While there are many different types of ‘fuels’ that can be used according to preference, availability, and budget–and the 3D printer will still continue to run along just as you asked it to–there are some key elements to focus on: quality, project relevance, durability, and affordability.

Filamate, headquartered in Bulgaria, has a good understanding of what their newest users are going through in sorting out which products and which materials to put into their precious 3D printers. For the novice especially, though, it’s overwhelming trying to get started, just with hardware and software.

Filamate is catering to the beginning process with a new starter kit, StarterMate, offering a good base for starting to 3D print with PLA filament. With an all-inclusive package, Filamate gives the novice a great way to just get started, putting all the other complexities on the back burner while they take the learning process step by step.

Filamate’s starter pack offers a PLA ‘plug and play’ experience with filament, as well as everything you need to get started in 3D printing to include a selection of quality tools, and a step-by-step tutorial called StarterMate Learning: The Beginners Edition. The starter kit comes in a designer box which allows for storage of everything, to include two different PLA colors in 1.75 mm. Also included is an extension kit for 3D design which offers a variety of other tools for design and printing options.

The small box itself is a treat. Not just meant to be aesthetically pleasing though, it’s to be kept as a long-term storage center for your tools and filament and can be stored upright on your desk, on top of the 3D printer, or wherever the compact container will fit best. The filament can be used without even unpacking it, as it rolls out directly from the storage container on a built-in axle, and even includes a convenient scale to alert you as to current levels. After that, it’s as easy as feeding it into your 3D printer with the result being some great new 3D models that show off not only your creativity, but growing expertise.

Filamate’s PLA filament is a high-quality, biodegradable blend that they think will work best for the beginner level especially due to its ease in use.

“We are focused on the development of end-user products that would engage creative people outside the current ‘geeky’ community,” states the Filamate team. “By providing easy to use plug-and-play supplies and educational tools, we will change the perception of this technology as being unaffordable and complicated.”

While the debate about which filament has the greatest merits continues, it’s undeniable that PLA is the clear winner when it comes to an eco-friendly filament that offers a sweet smell during the 3D printing process and is easy to print with, producing great results. For the beginner, it’s also a good choice as while ABS is considered the original 3D printing filament, PLA offers some benefits like being better for larger 3D prints, producing stronger 3D models, and allowing for greater long-term durability.

There is currently a wide variety of other filaments cropping up that one can try as well for fun or specialized 3D models–from graphene and carbon to wood or stone–as well as the more seriously alternative materials like hemp and chocolate. For the beginner, this can all seem wildly exciting, along with the plethora of 3D printers, scanners, and peripheral accessories now on the market. For materials in everyday making though, most designers still rely on good old ABS and PLA for standard, quality 3D prints.

Filamate currently offers seven vivid colors for their new PLA 3D printing filament:

• Frosty White
• Spooky Black
• Smurfy Blue
• Moonlit Yellow
• Froggy Green
• Poohy Yellow
• Clowny Red

Are you interested in ordering one of these StarterMate packages? Discuss in the Filamate 3D Printer Beginner’s Pack forum thread over at 3DPB.com. Check out the video below detailing Filamate’s offerings.