Product Description

Prusament PVB Smoky Black Transparent 500g (NFC) is a high-quality PVB filament developed and manufactured in‑house by Prusa Research. The material is intended primarily for visually attractive models, where its semi-transparent smoky black appearance and the possibility of easy chemical smoothing in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) stand out.

PVB (polyvinyl butyral) is ideal for design elements such as vases, lampshades, decorations, jewelry, film and cosplay props, or various transparent covers. Due to its low warping and behavior similar to PLA, it is easy to print even on standard FDM 3D printers.

The newer series of Prusament is wound on redesigned plastic spools with an NFC chip (OpenPrintTag). The NFC tag allows compatible printers or applications to automatically recognize the material type, color, and recommended parameters, simplifying print preparation and reducing the risk of incorrect settings.

Key Features

• Design PVB filament for visual and aesthetic models
• Smoky Black Transparent color – elegant "glass" effect after smoothing
• Possibility of chemical smoothing in IPA for a nearly glass-like surface
• Easy to print, printing behavior similar to PLA
• Low warping – suitable even for larger models
• Good bed adhesion and smooth print surface
• Mechanical properties similar to CPE/PETG (better than PLA)
• Filament diameter 1.75 mm with a tolerance of ±0.03 mm – very consistent quality
• Wound on a spool with NFC (OpenPrintTag) – fast material identification
• Manufactured in‑house by Prusa Research / Prusa Polymers a.s. in the Czech Republic

Recommended Use

Prusament PVB Smoky Black is intended mainly for representative and visually interesting printed parts, such as:

• design vases and decorative containers (ideally in "spiral vase" mode)
• lampshades, lighting objects, and translucent covers
• jewelry, fashion, and interior accessories
• film and cosplay props, helmets, masks, and decorative parts
• presentation architectural models and prototypes

Thanks to the transparent character of the material and the possibility of smoothing in IPA, a glass or plexiglass effect can be achieved, especially when using a larger nozzle and thicker walls.

Print Settings (guide)

Typical recommended settings for PVB from Prusa Research:

• Nozzle temperature: approx. 215 °C ± 10 °C
• Heatbed temperature: approx. 75 °C
• Recommended print sheet: smooth PEI or satin spring steel sheet
• Print speed: similar to PLA (adjust to printer capabilities and print quality)

Always ensure a clean bed surface before printing (isopropyl alcohol, printer manufacturer's recommendation) for optimal adhesion.

Chemical Smoothing (IPA)

One of the main advantages of PVB is the possibility of easy chemical smoothing in isopropyl alcohol (IPA):

• The model can, for example, be exposed to IPA vapors or briefly rinsed in IPA (depending on the chosen method)
• After smoothing, the surface acquires a glossy, smooth, to "glassy" appearance
• The combination of smoothing and transparency results in very effective light and decorative objects

When smoothing, always follow safety principles: good ventilation, protective equipment, and working away from open flames (IPA is highly flammable).

Material Limitations and Recommendations

• Lower heat resistance – similar to PLA (approx. up to 60 °C). Not suitable for components exposed to higher temperatures (e.g., in a car in direct sunlight).
• Hygroscopic material – PVB readily absorbs moisture, we recommend storage in sealed boxes with silica gel and drying in a filament dryer if it becomes damp.
• Slightly worse layer adhesion than PLA – for mechanically stressed prints, lower tensile strength in the direction of layers must be expected.

Therefore, PVB is recommended primarily for visual / aesthetic parts, not as a structural material for demanding operations.

Technical Specifications

Tips for Successful Printing

• For the most transparent walls, use a larger nozzle (0.6–0.8 mm) and spiral vase mode.
• For taller models with thin walls, consider a lower print speed so the surface is as smooth as possible right from the printer.
• In case of bed adhesion issues, check the sheet cleanliness and possibly lower the first layer closer to the bed.
• If the filament becomes damp (popping, bubbles, matte surface), dry the filament according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

This filament is a great choice for everyone who wants to take their decorative and effect 3D prints to the next level and utilize the advantages of PVB and chemical IPA smoothing together with the quality assurance of the Prusament brand.

Key Features:

• Premium PVB Prusament filament manufactured in-house in the CZ with a guaranteed tolerance of ±0.03 mm.
• Smoky Black, semi-transparent color for elegant design models.
• Possibility of chemical smoothing in IPA for a glassy, high-gloss surface.
• Easy to print with behavior similar to PLA and very low warping – suitable even for larger models.
• Good bed adhesion and mechanical properties comparable to CPE/PETG.
• Wound on a modern plastic spool with an NFC chip (OpenPrintTag) for easy material identification.
• Ideal for vases, lampshades, decorations, jewelry, and visual prototypes.