Written by Danielle Arnold
Quick answer: Start with two rolls of PLA+ (one white, one colour), add Matte PLA for display pieces and PETG Basic for functional parts. Leave ABS, ASA and carbon fibre off the first A1 order. The enclosed P2S can take ASA later. Add TPU 95A once you are ready to feed it from an external spool.
A new Bambu Lab A1 or P2S prints well out of the box, and what you feed it in the first month matters more than any upgrade. The right rolls give you easy early wins, while the wrong ones turn a new printer into a troubleshooting project.
This guide covers what each printer handles according to Bambu Lab's documentation, a first-month shopping list, what to leave until later, and the AMS lite and AMS 2 Pro. Filament figures come from our data sheets.
A1 vs P2S: what matters for filament
Both printers have a 256 × 256 × 256 mm build volume and a hotend that reaches 300°C. The differences that affect your filament choice are the frame, the nozzle each printer ships with and the multi-material unit it uses.
| Feature | Bambu Lab A1 | Bambu Lab P2S |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Open frame | Enclosed chassis, no active chamber heating |
| Maximum nozzle temperature | 300°C | 300°C |
| Maximum bed temperature | 100°C | 110°C |
| Nozzle supplied | 0.4 mm stainless steel | 0.4 mm hardened steel |
| Multi-material unit | AMS lite (the standard AMS is not compatible) | AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT |
| Bambu's material guidance | PLA, PETG, TPU and PVA suit it. ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PET and fibre-filled grades are not recommended. | Lists PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, PET, PA, PC and PVA, plus carbon and glass fibre grades |
Sources: Bambu Lab's A1 technical specifications and A1 FAQ, and the P2S FAQ and P2S specifications.
In practice the A1 is a PLA, PETG and TPU machine. Bambu's A1 FAQ warns that its open frame raises the risk of warping and weaker layers with high-temperature materials, and that the stainless steel nozzle is not recommended for carbon or glass fibre filaments unless you fit a hardened steel nozzle. The enclosed P2S, with its hardened steel nozzle, has more room to grow, but spend the first month on easy materials either way.
Your first-month shopping list
Buy for the jobs you plan to print. The table covers four common first uses, with temperatures from our data sheets. Every value sits inside both printers' limits.
| Use | Filament | Nozzle / bed | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|---|---|
| First prints, calibration and everyday models | PLA+ (one white, one colour) | 190–220°C / 25–60°C | Tougher and less brittle than standard PLA, on a spool made for the AMS |
| Display pieces, gifts and models you will paint | Matte PLA | 190–230°C (220°C recommended) / 25–60°C | Low-gloss finish that makes layer lines less noticeable |
| Brackets, hooks and clips that need to flex a little | PETG Basic | 220–240°C / 70–80°C | Higher heat deflection temperature than PLA (74°C vs 53°C) and more give before it snaps |
| Bumpers, feet, grips and protective covers | TPU95A | 200–240°C (230°C recommended) / 20–60°C (40°C recommended) | Shore 95A flexible filament, fed from an external spool |
PLA+ is the everyday roll
PLA+ is the place to start on either printer. Our product page describes it as tougher and less brittle than standard PLA, with strong layer adhesion and no need for an enclosure. Buy a white roll for calibration, because ringing, gaps and uneven layers are easier to see on white, plus one colour you want to print with. It ships on a 200 mm AMS-compatible spool with 2.5 mm walls, which our product page describes as gentler on the AMS.
Matte PLA for display prints
Matte PLA prints in almost the same window as PLA+ and gives a low-gloss surface that hides layer lines better than a glossy finish. It also takes primer and acrylic paint well, which makes it a good base for painted models. Like all our PLA grades it has a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 53°C on the data sheet, so keep finished prints away from hot cars and direct heat sources.
PETG Basic for functional parts
Once PLA prints are coming off the plate reliably, PETG Basic is the natural next step for brackets, hooks, clips and anything that needs more toughness or heat resistance. It prints at 220–240°C on a 70–80°C bed, and our data sheet lists a 74°C HDT. Bambu lists PETG as suitable for both the A1 and the P2S.
One practical note: PETG Basic, like PLA Basic, comes on a slightly slimmer spool than our premium ranges. Our product page notes that some AMS units may not recognise it correctly during automatic loading. If you run an AMS lite or AMS 2 Pro, move it to a reusable AMS-compatible spool or feed it from the external spool holder.
TPU notes
Our TPU95A is a Shore 95A flexible filament with 800–1000% elongation at break on the data sheet. Bambu lists TPU as suitable for both printers, but it should not go through either multi-material unit. The AMS lite FAQ says to avoid flexible materials including TPU, Bambu's TPU printing guide says 95A TPU may bend inside the AMS, and the P2S FAQ recommends printing TPU from a spool holder. Our product page gives the same advice.
The data sheet lists 30–150 mm/s with 60 mm/s recommended, and our product page advises slow speeds. On a first printer, leave TPU until you have a few weeks of PLA and PETG behind you.
What not to start with
- ABS and ASA on the A1. Bambu recommends against printing ABS and ASA on the A1 unless it is in a well-ventilated space at a safe distance from people. Our ASA data sheet also recommends a 110°C bed, which is above the A1's 100°C maximum.
- Carbon and glass fibre on a stock A1. The supplied stainless steel nozzle is not recommended for fibre-filled filament, and Bambu's AMS lite FAQ advises against third-party fibre-reinforced materials in the AMS lite.
- PC, PC-ABS and nylon in the first month, even on a P2S. Bambu lists these materials for the P2S, but they ask more of you. Our PC-ABS data sheet calls for 250–280°C at the nozzle and at least 12 hours of drying at 80°C before printing. Learn the printer on PLA and PETG first.
AMS lite vs AMS 2 Pro
Our guide to using OzFDM filament in the Bambu AMS covers spools, presets and loading in detail. Here is the short version.
| Feature | AMS lite (A1) | AMS 2 Pro (P2S) |
|---|---|---|
| Spool storage | Spools sit in the open | Sealed lid with a humidity sensor |
| Drying | No drying function | Drying up to 65°C |
| Filament slots | 4 | 4 per unit |
| TPU and other flexibles | Avoid | Avoid for 95A TPU, use a spool holder |
| Best OzFDM rolls to load | PLA+, Matte PLA | PLA+, Matte PLA, PETG on a reusable spool |
AMS lite on the A1
The AMS lite holds spools in the open, so in humid parts of Australia keep only the rolls you are printing with on it and seal the rest with desiccant. PLA+ and Matte PLA ship on spools our product pages describe as AMS-compatible. PLA Basic and PETG Basic are better moved to a reusable spool first, and TPU stays on the external holder.
AMS 2 Pro on the P2S
Bambu's documentation lists a sealing ring under the AMS 2 Pro lid, a humidity sensor and a maximum drying temperature of 65°C. That covers our PLA+ and Matte PLA drying recommendation of 40–45°C for 4–6 hours. PETG Basic and TPU95A both list 70°C on our data sheets, above the AMS 2 Pro's ceiling, so dry a damp roll of either in a dedicated filament dryer.
Slicer settings and profiles
Bambu Studio's generic PLA, PETG and TPU presets are a reasonable starting point, but their temperatures are set for Bambu's own filament. Enter the figures from our data sheets and save the result as your own filament preset. Bambu also recommends running flow dynamics calibration whenever you load a filament from a new brand.
Our Print Profiles pages list recommended settings by printer and material. A1 owners can use our PLA on Bambu Lab A1 Mini profile as a reference, alongside the PETG and TPU profiles for the same printer.
The 3D Printing Starter Kit
If you would rather buy the first month in one order, the 3D Printing Starter Kit in our Starter Kits collection covers most of this list. It includes:
- Four 1 kg rolls: PLA+ Black, PLA+ White, Matte PLA Red and PETG Basic Black
- Precision flush cutters, a hobby knife and five spare #11 blades
- 0.4 mm nozzle cleaning needles and a brass wire brush
- Our Filament Storage Starter Kit: five vacuum bags, a hand pump, humidity indicator cards and desiccant bags
Every item is the same product we sell individually. AMS users should note that the PETG Basic roll comes on the slimmer Basic spool, and the cleaning needles suit the 0.4 mm nozzle both printers ship with.
Buying rolls individually instead? Filament volume pricing applies automatically at checkout: 5% off any mix of 3 or more rolls, 10% off 6 or more and 15% off 12 or more. For the non-filament extras, such as callipers, isopropyl alcohol and a spare nozzle, see our beginner's supply checklist.
Keep your first rolls dry
PLA and PETG slowly absorb moisture, which can cause stringing, rough surfaces and weaker layers. Keep open rolls in an airtight bag with desiccant, and dry filament before vacuum sealing it for long-term storage. Our filament storage and drying guide covers Australian conditions in more detail.
Shop the materials in this guide
- 1.75 mm PLA+ Filament - 1 KG: the everyday roll for first prints and calibration.
- 1.75 mm Matte PLA Filament - 1 KG: a low-gloss finish for display pieces and painting.
- 1.75 mm PETG Basic Filament - 1 KG: tougher, more heat-resistant functional parts.
- 1.75 mm TPU95A Filament - 1 KG: flexible parts, fed from an external spool.
- Filament Storage Starter Kit: vacuum bags, pump, desiccant and humidity cards for open rolls.
- Starter Kits: the 3D Printing Starter Kit plus tool, nozzle care and hardware kits.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Bambu Lab A1 print PETG?
Yes. Bambu lists PETG as suitable for the A1, and our PETG Basic prints at 220–240°C on a 70–80°C bed, inside the A1's 300°C nozzle and 100°C bed limits.
Can I put TPU in the AMS lite or AMS 2 Pro?
We do not recommend it. Bambu advises against flexible materials in the AMS lite and says 95A TPU may bend inside the AMS. Feed TPU95A from the external spool holder instead.
Should P2S owners buy ASA straight away?
It can wait. Bambu lists ASA for the enclosed P2S, but our ASA data sheet recommends a 110°C bed, which is the P2S maximum, and ASA needs more attention to warping. Get reliable PLA and PETG prints first, then add ASA for outdoor parts.
Is PLA Basic a good first roll?
It prints in the same temperature window as PLA+ and costs less, but it comes on a thinner spool. If you use an AMS lite or AMS 2 Pro, PLA+ is the easier choice because it ships on our AMS-compatible spool.
Does the P2S need a new nozzle for carbon fibre filament?
No. Bambu's P2S specifications list a 0.4 mm hardened steel nozzle. The A1 ships with stainless steel, so fit a hardened steel nozzle before printing fibre-filled filament on it.
