Prusament PVB Natural Transparent 500g (NFC)

Prusament PVB Natural Transparent is a premium filament produced by Prusa Research, made from polyvinyl butyral (PVB). It is a specialized design material suitable primarily for visually attractive prints with the possibility of chemical smoothing in isopropyl alcohol (IPA), thanks to which you can easily achieve a glassy, almost "glass-like" appearance.

Key properties

• Design material for visual models – vases, jewelry, lampshades, decorative elements, cosplay props, advertising and exhibition models
• Translucent / transparent appearance – suitable for light objects and effective translucent parts
• IPA smoothing – simple chemical surface smoothing with the possibility of achieving a smooth and glossy finish
• Easy printing – settings similar to PLA – material is also suitable for advanced beginners
• Better mechanical properties than PLA – properties are close to CPE / PETG (stronger and tougher than PLA)
• Low shrinkage and deformation – suitable for larger models
• Good bed adhesion – fewer problems with corner lifting
• Made in EU (Prusa Research / Prusa Polymers) – full quality control, guaranteed diameter tolerance ±0.03 mm
• NFC chip (OpenPrintTag) in the spool – for easy reading of filament information, length, material type etc.

When to choose Prusament PVB

We recommend using Prusament PVB Natural if:

• you want to print decorative or presentation models where appearance is the priority
• you plan chemical IPA smoothing to achieve a smooth and translucent surface
• you print illuminated objects (lamps, lampshades, light installations)
• you need a translucent material with easier processing than technical plastics

On the contrary, it is not suitable for:

• thermally stressed parts (resistance up to approximately 60 °C – similar to PLA)
• structural and heavily mechanically stressed components
• outdoor applications with long-term exposure to sun and heat

Recommended print settings

*Specific settings may vary by printer, nozzle, and slicer profile.

Tips for PVB printing and smoothing:

• For the best optical effect, use a larger nozzle (e.g., 0.6 mm) and spiral vase mode for single-walled vases and lampshades.
• After printing, the model can be smoothed with IPA vapors or washing. Always work in a well-ventilated area and follow safety instructions for working with IPA.
• Keep the filament dry before printing – PVB is hygroscopic and moisture can degrade surface quality (bubbles, matting).

Advantages over common materials

• Compared to PLA: better toughness, possibility of chemical smoothing and higher translucency.
• Compared to PETG / CPE: easier achievement of glass-like appearance, lower risk of stringing after proper drying.

Material limitations

• Lower heat resistance (around 60 °C) – unsuitable for a hot car, sun, etc.
• Slightly worse interlayer adhesion than PLA – caution is needed in print orientation and geometry design for mechanically stressed parts.
• Hygroscopic – requires dry storage and occasional regular drying.

Prusament Quality

Prusament is Prusa Research's own brand of filaments. Each PVB spool is manufactured and inspected in-house, with diameter measurement and mechanical property verification. This gives you:

• constant 1.75 mm diameter with ±0.03 mm tolerance
• consistent color and optical properties throughout the spool
• precise filament winding, which reduces the risk of tangling

Thanks to NFC and the OpenPrintTag standard, the spool can be easily identified by compatible devices or applications to work with stored filament data.

Key properties:

• Translucent design PVB filament suitable for visual models, vases, lampshades and decorative parts
• Possibility of chemical smoothing with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for a smooth, glassy surface
• Easy printing with settings similar to PLA, suitable even for advanced beginners
• Better mechanical properties than PLA, comparable to CPE/PETG
• Low shrinkage and good bed adhesion – suitable for larger prints
• Made by Prusa Research with a guaranteed diameter tolerance of ±0.03 mm
• Spool equipped with an NFC chip (OpenPrintTag) for easy identification and work with the filament