Wood filament — PLA mixed with real wood fibers (typically 10–30%) — prints parts that look, feel and even smell like wood. Here's how to master it.

What to expect

Wood-fill PLA prints like PLA with a matte, textured surface. Sanding reveals lighter wood grain (fibers show through), and darker "burnt" tones appear at higher temperatures — a technique called "temperature shading" used to fake wood grain.

Print settings that prevent clogs

  • Nozzle: 0.5–0.6 mm minimum — wood fibers clog 0.4 mm nozzles
  • Temperature: 195–220 °C; higher = darker shade
  • Speed: 30–50 mm/s, steady flow
  • Retraction: minimal; fibers are brittle and jam in the hotend
  • Nozzle: hardened steel recommended for volume

Post-processing for realism

Sand with 120→400 grit for a smooth wood feel, then seal with varnish or wood stain. Staining works because fibers absorb pigment — a two-tone stain (light center, dark edges) looks genuinely wooden.

Best projects

Coasters, signs, furniture accents, jewelry boxes, architectural models, camera grips. Avoid thin structural parts — wood-fill is weaker than pure PLA.

For consistent wood tone across batches (fibers vary by lot), ask suppliers for ΔE and fiber-content specs — VOXFIL publishes both on request with custom wood-fill formulations.