Copolyester filament properties
Data taken from 5 datasheets from manufacturers in Spain, Europe, the United States and China, reviewed on October 26, 2026. The shaded bar marks the median of the declared values and each colored tick is a different datasheet. The scales are the same across the whole library, so you can compare materials at a glance.
Copolyester temperature and print settings
| Setting | Typical value | Range in datasheets |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle | 250–275 °C | 220–280 °C |
| Bed | 75–85 °C | 60–120 °C |
| Print speed | 40–70 mm/s | 30–70 mm/s |
| Drying temperature | 60 °C | 60–60 °C |
| Drying time | 3 h | 3–3 h |
Copolyester vs PETG, PCTG, and Polycarbonate: comparison
Medians from each material's datasheets. Click a material to see its full range.
Meters of Copolyester per spool
Calculated with the median density from the datasheets (1.2 g/cm³). Real spools can vary by a few meters because of diameter tolerance.
What is a copolyester filament
Copolyesters are polyesters made with more than one type of glycol or acid. PETG is the best known, but higher-performance amorphous copolyesters exist, grouped in 3D printing under the acronym CPE. In industry they are used for reusable bottles, packaging and parts that must be transparent and resist impacts and chemicals.
The 5 datasheets analyzed print them with the nozzle at 250–275 °C and the bed at 75–85 °C, slightly hotter than PETG.
Copolyester vs. PETG
- More heat resistance: the median HDT at 0.45 MPa is 80 °C.
- More toughness: the median tensile strength is 50 MPa.
- Just as easy to print: they barely shrink and do not need an enclosed printer.
- More expensive and available in fewer colors.
How to print copolyester
It behaves like PETG: warm bed, moderate fan and a surface that does not grip too hard, because it also tends to stick too much to smooth PEI. Dry it before printing; the datasheet that gives drying settings suggests 60 °C for 3 h. For transparent parts, print slowly, with tall layers and full infill.
Frequently asked questions about copolyester
Is copolyester the same as PETG?
PETG is a type of copolyester. Filaments sold as copolyester or CPE are usually formulations with more heat resistance and toughness than standard PETG.