An enclosure is not automatically necessary for every printer or filament. Prusa's guidance for the Original Prusa MK3/S/+ says low-temperature materials such as PLA and PETG shrink little enough that an enclosure is generally unnecessary for print stability, while materials such as ABS, ASA, PC, PA/nylon, PP and some composites may benefit from or require one. Match the advice to your printer, material and ventilation setup.
An enclosure is a printer and material decision, not a universal accessory. It can help control the print environment for some materials, while a beginner printing PLA or PETG may not need one for print stability. Prusa’s enclosure article is written for the Original Prusa MK3/S/+; use your own printer’s manual and material guide for model-specific advice.
When an enclosure can help
Prusa describes low-temperature filaments such as PLA and PETG as shrinking little enough on the MK3/S/+ that an enclosure is generally unnecessary for printing. Its guide identifies materials including ABS, ASA, polycarbonate (PC), polyamide or nylon (PA), polypropylene (PP) and some composites as candidates for an enclosure because higher-temperature materials can be more sensitive to the print environment.
Treat those examples as Prusa’s guidance for the specified printer family. Material formulations, printer designs and recommended setups differ. Check the material guide for the filament you actually buy and the manual for the exact printer.
Decide before buying an enclosure
- Filament plan: Start with the materials you expect to print. Our filament guide compares common types and their tradeoffs.
- Printer compatibility: Check enclosure dimensions, access to the spool, cables, controls and maintenance points for your model.
- Temperature management: Follow the printer maker’s instructions. An enclosed space that gets too warm can also affect some low-temperature materials or printer parts.
- Room and ventilation: Use the printer and filament makers’ emission and ventilation guidance. An enclosure is not by itself proof of safe air quality.
- Use case: If you only print materials that your machine handles reliably in an open setup, the enclosure may not improve your results enough to justify its space and setup.
For the other major printer decision, see FDM vs. resin 3D printers. Our bed adhesion guide covers a separate source of first-layer problems. Browse 3D printing.
Official references
Common questions
Do PLA and PETG need a 3D printer enclosure?
Not always. Prusa says PLA and PETG shrink little on the Original Prusa MK3/S/+ and generally do not need an enclosure for print stability; follow the guidance for your own printer and filament.
Which 3D printing materials may need an enclosure?
Prusa lists materials including ABS, ASA, PC, PA/nylon, PP and related composites as enclosure candidates for the Original Prusa MK3/S/+. Printer makers may set different requirements.
Does an enclosure make 3D printing fumes safe?
An enclosure alone does not establish that emissions are safely controlled. Follow the printer and material manufacturers' ventilation guidance and the room's applicable safety requirements.
Should I buy an enclosure before my first printer?
First choose the printer and materials you plan to use, then check whether that model supports an enclosure and what setup it requires. You may not need one for every material or print.