The desktop 3D printing market is expanding rapidly, expected to grow from $4.21 billion in 2024 to $4.92 billion in 2025—a strong 17.1% CAGR. Across the UK, operators use a wide range of 3D printers, each tailored to different needs and applications.
To better understand the UK landscape, we recently surveyed 129 Filamentive customers about the machines they use—and the results offer valuable insight into the current state, and future direction, of desktop 3D printing in the UK.
The Top 3D Printer Brands in use in the UK
Bambu Lab (42%) emerged as the most-used brand, highlighting its rapid adoption among UK users, likely due to its speed, AMS system, and ease of use.
Prusa Research (30%) remains a trusted favourite, valued for its reliability, open-source ethos, and strong community support.
Creality 3D (22%) continues to be a popular, budget-friendly option—especially among hobbyists and educators willing to tinker and customise.
UltiMaker (10%) appeals primarily to professionals and businesses, with its robust hardware and enterprise-grade features.
Other brands (35%) such as Anycubic, Flashforge, and Voron reflect the diversity of the 3D printing landscape, often driven by niche needs or DIY preferences.
Note: As this was a “select all that apply” survey, totals exceed 100%—indicating that many users operate multiple types of 3D printers.
Let’s explore each brand, what they’re known for, and how Filamentive filament fits into their ecosystem to optimise 3D printing material compatibility for UK 3D printer operators.
Bambu Lab 3D Printing in the UK – AMS Compatible Filament
Bambu Lab has seen a meteoric rise in the UK 3D printing market, driven by high-speed printing, excellent out-of-the-box performance, and an enthusiastic community. The Bambu Lab X1 Carbon and P1 Series have become staples among hobbyists and professionals alike—particularly due to their Automated Material System (AMS), which allows for multi-colour and multi-material printing.
Filamentive Compatibility: We’re proud to support Bambu Lab users across the UK with our ReFill V2 filament, optimised for direct compatibility with Bambu Lab’s reusable spool system. Available in PLA and PETG, and up to 99% recycled, our materials offer a sustainable alternative without compromising on performance. Whether you’re printing prototypes or functional parts, Filamentive filament is a proven, eco-conscious choice for your Bambu Lab printer.
Filament for Prusa 3D Printing Users in the UK
A firm favourite for many years, Prusa Research has established itself as a go-to for reliable, open-source, and community-driven 3D printing. The Original Prusa MK4 and the Prusa Mini continue to be workhorses in both at-home hobbyist environments and also industrial 3D print workshops.
Filamentive Compatibility: Prusa printers are known for their flexibility and work seamlessly with a wide variety of third-party filaments. Our PLA, PETG, ASA, and rPLA are fully compatible and widely used by Prusa operators, including many 3D print farms manufacturing production parts. Whether you’re focused on aesthetic finishes or strength and durability, we have a filament for Prusa printers that aligns with your goals—and your values.
Creality 3D Printer Users in the UK – Filament Guide
Creality has built its reputation on affordability and hackability. Printers like the Ender 3, CR-10, and the newer K1 models appeal to hobbyists, educators, and budget-conscious makers. While not always plug-and-play, Creality printers offer excellent value with community support and modding potential.
Filamentive Compatibility: Our range of sustainable 3D printing filament performs well on Creality printers, especially with tuned print settings. Many Ender users rely on our PLA and rPLA for everyday prints, while more advanced users opt for PETG or ASA for increased durability. If you’re looking for filament in the UK stock, for Creality 3D printers, we’ve got you covered.
UltiMaker – Filament for Industrial 3D Print Users in the UK
Formerly known as Ultimaker, UltiMaker has evolved into an enterprise-focused 3D printing brand. Their machines, like the S5 and S3, offer high reliability, advanced features, and integration into professional environments including many education institutions such as University 3D printing. With dual extrusion and robust material compatibility, UltiMaker is a preferred option for prototyping, manufacturing aids, and design validation.
Filamentive Compatibility: Our materials work well on UltiMaker printers, and we are even part of their official Material Alliance Program, offering optimised print profiles on CURA Marketplace. Many of our B2B customers using UltiMaker hardware appreciate the consistency of Filamentive’s PETG, PLA, and ASA—especially for functional prototyping and low-volume production. If your business is searching for filament for UltiMaker with reduced environmental impact, Filamentive offers professional-grade performance with sustainability at the core.
What are the other 3D Printer Brands being used in the UK?
Interestingly, ‘Other’ was the second most popular category in our survey—accounting for 35% of responses. Brands such as ELEGOO, Raise3D, and Flashforge were frequently mentioned, alongside custom or modified machines like Voron kits and homebrew builds. This highlights the sheer diversity of hardware preferences within the UK’s 3D printing community—often influenced by specific applications, personal projects, or the open-source maker movement.
Filamentive compatibility: As a UK filament supplier, Filamentive is committed to supporting both the most-used machines—such as our ReFill line optimised for Bambu Lab AMS users—and the wider spectrum of 3D printers that our customers rely on. Whether you’re running a Snapmaker in your studio or a large-format Raise3D for production, we ensure compatibility across the board. We also offer large 3D printer filament spools (up to 8.5kg)—ideal for extended prints, bigger build volumes, and volume production setups.
UK Filament Supply for a wide range of 3D Printers in the UK
Looking for reliable, sustainable 3D printer filament in the UK that works seamlessly with your setup—whether it’s Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality, UltiMaker, or something more specialist? At Filamentive, we prioritise broad printer compatibility, high-performance materials, and eco-conscious production. From standard spools to large-format filament up to 8.5kg, we’re here to support hobbyists, professionals, and manufacturers alike. Explore our full range today and discover filament that fits your printer and your 3D printing needs.