How to Dry Nylon Filament (And Why You Must)
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Every nylon user learns this the hard way: wet nylon prints like garbage. Pops, hisses, stringing, weak layers. The fix is boring but essential — dry it before you print it.
Why Nylon Absorbs Water
Nylon is hygroscopic — it pulls moisture from the air into its polymer chains. A spool left out overnight can absorb enough water to ruin prints. PA6 is the worst; PA12 is more forgiving but still needs drying.
How to Dry
1. Use a filament dryer or heated bed box. 70-80°C for 6-8 hours is the sweet spot for most nylons.
2. Print from a dry box. Drying once isn't enough — the spool reabsorbs moisture while printing. A dry box keeps it sealed.
3. Store sealed with desiccant. Ziplock + silica packets between uses.
Signs Your Nylon Is Wet
- Popping/crackling sounds at the nozzle
- Excessive stringing
- Dull, rough surface finish
- Weak, brittle parts
The Takeaway
Budget for a dryer — it's the difference between "nylon is hard" and "nylon is easy." Every spool we recommend comes with drying instructions in the tested settings.