At AzureFilm, sustainability is more than a goal—it’s a guiding principle. Over the past decade, we’ve learned a lot about how 3D printing can create less waste without complicating the process. One of the biggest changes has been in our filament spools – from simple plastic designs to the durable, reusable Master Spool. In this blog, we want to take you through that evolution and show how it makes printing easier, greener, and more practical for everyone.
Three generations of Spools
Over the years, our filament spools have gone through quite an evolution. Each generation solved problems the previous one couldn’t, bringing us closer to a sustainable, user-friendly solution.
The classic clastic spools
In our early days, all filaments came on basic plastic spools with large holes. They worked, but they were single-use and not very sustainable. Many of our early users still remember them, but we knew we could do better.
The black one-use spools
Our next step was the black one-use spools. Sleeker and sturdier than the originals, they offered a better printing experience—but every spool was still disposable. While they were an improvement, they still generated unnecessary plastic waste.
The Master Spool
Finally, we introduced the Master Spool. Durable, reusable, and designed to last until it naturally wears out, the Master Spool consists of two injection-molded discs and works seamlessly with our Refill filaments.
Together, they weigh just under 200 grams, and the design is compatible with most 3D printers, including setups like Bambu Lab AMS and other third-party multicolor systems.
So, instead of buying a new spool every time, you simply insert a new refill when your filament runs out. This is our biggest step yet toward sustainable 3D printing.
Inside the Master Spool
One of the clever features is the integrated filament scale, which lets you quickly see how much filament remains on your spool. No more guessing or running out mid-print—it helps you plan your projects with confidence. The functional pins hold the filament securely when you’re not printing, keeping it neat and tangle-free. And the rectangular edges make attaching refills simple: just slot the refill filament onto the discs, secure it with the pins, and your spool is ready to go.
A simpler, all-in-one solution
But there’s more. Because we want our sustainable practices to be as close to you as possible, we’ve started selling some of our filaments already wound on Master Spools. That means you don’t have to buy the spool and refill separately—you get everything in one package.
For now, not all filaments are available this way, but this is the direction we’re heading: soon, all our filaments will be available on Master Spools only, making the black one-use spools a thing of the past.
We’re doing this to make printing easier for you and to help you join us in reducing waste. When the filament runs out, just pop on a new refill and keep going on the same spool. It’s a small change, but together, it makes a big difference—less plastic, less hassle, and a more enjoyable 3D printing experience.
Super 10-Packs: Everything you need in one box
As a complement to the Master Spool system, we also offer our Super 10-packs – a convenient way to stock up on filament. Each pack includes 10 kg of our Refill filaments and 2 FREE Master Spools, all packed together in a single box. That means less packaging, less waste, and less hassle for you.
There’s a wide range of colors to choose from at a great price, and every pack comes with a 30-day risk-free guarantee.
With everything in one package, you can keep printing without interruptions, continue using the Master Spool system, and reduce the number of disposable spools!
And there you have it—but the journey doesn’t stop here. We’re constantly looking for ways to make 3D printing more sustainable, more accessible, and easier for everyone. From improving materials to rethinking packaging, our goal is to keep reducing waste while giving you the best possible printing experience. Together, we can make 3D printing not only fun and creative but also kinder to the planet—and we can’t wait to share the next steps with you.