NinjaTek
The Reference Brand for Flexible Filaments — Made in the USA
About NinjaTek
NinjaTek is the brand that put flexible 3D printing on the map. When the company launched NinjaFlex in 2013, it was the first TPU filament that could reliably feed through consumer-grade 3D printers — before that, flexible materials were a nightmare of jams, slipping, and failed prints. NinjaTek's patent-pending technology creates a low-tack, low-friction exterior that allows the filament to feed smoothly through Bowden tubes and direct drive extruders alike.
The current lineup is anchored by two flagship products. NinjaFlex (85A Shore hardness) is the original ultra-flexible filament, with excellent elasticity and rebound. It prints slower (10–35 mm/s) but produces parts that stretch and bend like rubber. Cheetah (95A) is the high-speed formula — it prints at 25–80 mm/s (fast for TPU) while maintaining excellent layer adhesion and rebound. Cheetah's impact strength is 84% greater than ABS, abrasion resistance is 40% better than ABS and 76% better than PLA, and it offers 580% elongation capabilities.
The lineup also includes Armadillo (a hard TPU with nylon-like properties), NinjaTek Eel (conductive flexible filament), and various specialty colors. All NinjaTek filaments are manufactured in the USA (Manheim, Pennsylvania) with consistent diameter (±0.03 mm) and material properties. The price is premium (~$40–60/kg, often sold in 500g spools), but for flexible parts that actually work — seals, gaskets, hinges, grips, wearables — NinjaTek is the benchmark that every other flexible filament is measured against.
Key Filament Specifications
| Material | Nozzle Temp | Bed Temp | Tensile (MPa) | HDT (°C) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NinjaFlex 85A | 225–250 °C | RT–50 °C | 28 ± 4 | 40 ± 5 | Original ultra-flexible TPU, Shore 85A. Print speed 10–35 mm/s (top/bottom 10–20, infill 15–35). Glue suggested on bed. Excellent elasticity and rebound. For rubber-like parts, seals, and wearables. Direct drive preferred. |
| Cheetah 95A | 225–250 °C | RT–50 °C | 35 ± 5 | 45 ± 5 | High-speed TPU, Shore 95A. Print speed 25–80 mm/s (top/bottom 25–45, infill 50–80). Impact strength 84% > ABS, abrasion 40% > ABS, 580% elongation. Fastest flexible filament on the market. For functional flexible parts. |
| Armadillo | 230–250 °C | 40–60 °C | 45 ± 6 | 60 ± 5 | Hard TPU with nylon-like toughness and chemical resistance. Shore ~65D. Print speed 30–60 mm/s. Excellent abrasion resistance and durability. For gears, bearings, and industrial parts requiring flexibility plus hardness. |
| PLA (Standard) | 200–220 °C | 50–60 °C | 42 ± 5 | 55 ± 5 | Standard PLA for rigid parts. Same manufacturing quality as NinjaTek's flexible lines. ±0.03 mm tolerance. Good for prototypes and models. Note: NinjaTek's primary focus is flexible materials — PLA is a secondary offering. |
All values sourced from NinjaTek official product pages (ninjatek.com) and technical specification sheets. Standard 1.75 mm diameter, ±0.02 mm tolerance, 1 kg spool, vacuum-sealed with desiccant across all lines.