Collection guide · Inventory
How to organize your filament collection
A reliable filament library links three things: each spool, its printed swatch, and one digital inventory record. Give all three the same stable identifier so colour, settings and stock remain traceable even after packaging is discarded.
Why spool labels alone are insufficient
Labels can tear, fade or disappear with an empty spool, and a coil does not show how the plastic looks as a layered surface. A labelled printed card preserves a usable colour reference; a digital record holds details too long or changeable for the card.
Assigning a consistent filament identity
Choose a short unique code, such as PLA-023, and never reuse it. Put the code on the spool or storage bag, swatch and inventory. Treat a new colour, material or product line as a new record even when the brand is the same.
Information to record
| Identity | Manufacturer, product line, colour, material, finish, swatch identifier |
|---|---|
| Printing | Print temperature, bed temperature, flow adjustment |
| Care | Drying requirements and storage notes |
| Stock | Purchase date and remaining quantity |
Record manufacturer instructions as instructions, and keep your tested profile in a separate field so they are not confused.
Creating a physical swatch library
Use one card design and print orientation throughout the collection. Label the brand, colour and material visibly. The general swatch-making guide covers the generation and printing workflow.
Organizing swatches by material, brand, or colour
Sort first by the decision you make most often. Material-first is practical when engineering requirements lead; colour-first supports visual design; brand-first makes reordering simple. Add dividers instead of changing the identifier when the collection grows.
Connecting cards to a digital inventory
A spreadsheet is enough if every row has a unique ID and consistent field names. Add a current storage location and update remaining quantity after large jobs. A photo can help remote browsing, but the physical card remains the better colour reference.
Handling discontinued and empty spools
Mark the record unavailable rather than deleting it. Retain the card as a project reference and note any closest replacement only after comparing printed samples. This preserves the history needed to reproduce or repair an older print.
Download the swatch storage box
A fitted container keeps the physical index browsable and reduces lost cards. Review the available files and fit guidance on the filament swatch box page.
Create a custom sample card
Label your next spool with its real brand, colour and material before adding it to the library.
Create a labelled swatch