Prusa introduces OpenPrintTag: Open NFC standard for smart filament spools

Prusa Research has introduced OpenPrintTag, an open NFC standard for 3D printing materials. The technology is being used for the first time in the newly designed Prusament spools and is intended to offer a uniform solution for so-called smart spools across manufacturers. This is the company’s response to the previously fragmented approaches of various manufacturers, who often use proprietary systems and cloud dependencies.

OpenPrintTag is based on a rewritable NFC chip that stores material data directly on the spool. This includes information such as filament type, color, remaining length, and printing parameters. Unlike many previous approaches, the system works completely offline—the printer can read the data without accessing an online database. According to Prusa, this should simplify the handling of filament rolls and avoid typical errors such as incorrect material profiles.

The system is completely open source. The specifications are freely available at specs.openprinttag.org and can be used or expanded without license fees. This should enable manufacturers of other brands to develop their own spools or readers. Prusa also supplies blank NFC tags that can be attached to any filament.

In addition to the electronics, the spool itself has been redesigned. It is now made of recycled polycarbonate and has a mechanical locking system instead of the previous paper core. This allows it to be dried stably at up to 100 °C and refilled more easily. The new design is also three millimeters narrower, which should improve compatibility with multi-material systems.

Prusa plans to gradually implement the OpenPrintTag standard in all new Prusament spools. Starting in 2026, the manufacturer’s 3D printers will also support NFC readers that automatically recognize the tag. The approach aims to establish a common industry standard for smart filament spools – similar to how 1.75 mm filament became the standard size in FDM printing.