Prusa Research has introduced OpenPrintTag, an open-source NFC standard designed to make 3D printing materials smarter, traceable, and easier to use. This is aimed at allowing open data sharing in the 3D printing community.
The company announced that the new Prusament spools now ship with integrated NFC tags following this new OpenPrintTag standard. These tags can be read by the printer or smartphone to identify the filament type, colour, and other parameters automatically. This not only improves user convenience but also establishes a foundation for broader compatibility and smart manufacturing within additive production.
A Smarter Spool for a Smarter Workflow
Each new redesigned Prusament spool contains a 13.56 MHz NFC tag following the ISO 15693 standard, which is commonly used for industrial and consumer applications requiring high reliability and global interoperability. When scanned, the tag provides detailed information about the filament, such as its material (PLA, PETG, ASA, etc.), colour code, batch number, production date, and even quality control data.
For Prusa 3D printers, the integration enables automatic recognition of the filament loaded onto the printer. This feature helps prevent common user errors, such as printing with the wrong material settings, and enhances traceability throughout the workflow.
The OpenPrintTag standard ensures that this system is not proprietary, allowing any 3D printing manufacturer or filament brand to adopt and contribute to it freely. All technical specifications, data structures, and implementation guides are available on the official OpenPrintTag website (see below), where developers can download the documentation and start creating compatible systems.
A Fully Open Standard for the 3D Printing Community
In keeping with Prusa’s long-standing commitment to open source principles, OpenPrintTag is released under an MIT licence, giving anyone the freedom to implement or modify the standard. The project has already received attention across the maker and 3D printing communities, with developers and manufacturers praising Prusa for leading an initiative that benefits the industry as a whole rather than locking users into proprietary ecosystems.
OpenPrintTag data can be stored in JSON format, allowing software and hardware developers to extend it easily. The system can be used for more than filament identification: future implementations could include toolhead recognition, print history tracking, or material lifecycle monitoring, paving the way for fully intelligent additive manufacturing environments.
Environmental and Operational Benefits
The redesigned Prusament spools are also part of a broader sustainability drive. The spools are now easier to recycle, and their design uses less plastic while maintaining durability. By incorporating smart NFC tags, Prusa adds digital functionality without compromising the recyclability of the product.
This integration helps users maintain better inventory control and reduce waste, particularly for businesses or print farms using large numbers of spools. With each spool containing unique identification data, it becomes possible to track consumption, quality, and provenance, creating a digital material passport aligned with emerging sustainability standards.
The Future of Smart Filament Tracking
The launch of OpenPrintTag represents a milestone in how 3D printing materials are managed. By adopting an open, NFC-based standard, Prusa is setting a precedent for transparency and interoperability in additive manufacturing.
As more filament producers and printer manufacturers adopt the system, the OpenPrintTag initiative could become a universal standard that simplifies filament management, improves printing accuracy, and supports a more sustainable future for 3D printing.
To explore the technical documentation or join the initiative, visit www.openprinttag.org.