printedsolid - It depends on material. There is concern around this with ABS. Some people are particularly bothered by those fumes and the long term health impact isn't known (doesn't mean it's bad, just that it isn't defined). If you're using ABS, you should probably consider some kind of venting.

PLA does have some fumes, but they don't smell as bad and don't tend to bother people. It's a biopolymer and the fumes smell sugary. PET has less odor than PLA. Well dried nylon has no fumes at all, but is a little trickier to print with.

cubic - If your head is in the printer it could be an issues, otherwise I haven't had problems. I seem to be used to the sweet smell of PLA now, but when other people are in the room they always ask what the small is. ABS smells like burning plastic, but again, mostly just if your head is in the printer.

If you do get a printer you head will probably be in it often, or at least very close. Those with printers know what I mean.

Consider a printer with an enclosure. I've had four printers and just got the most recent one the other day (an Up Mini). It has a nice plastic and metal enclosure that really helps keep the heat in. Fumes too, but that was never a big deal. In my experience PLA fumes spread around more but smell much nicer.

cubic - If your head is in the printer it could be an issues, otherwise I haven't had problems. I seem to be used to the sweet smell of PLA now, but when other people are in the room they always ask what the small is. ABS smells like burning plastic, but again, mostly just if your head is in the printer.

If you do get a printer you head will probably be in it often, or at least very close. Those with printers know what I mean.

Consider a printer with an enclosure. I've had four printers and just got the most recent one the other day (an Up Mini). It has a nice plastic and metal enclosure that really helps keep the heat in. Fumes too, but that was never a big deal. In my experience PLA fumes spread around more but smell much nicer.

sd3dprinting - We are developing universal Adaptive Build Environments for desktop 3D printers to take care of fumes and other common 3D printing issues. We are currently beta testing and taking pre-orders for initial production units with an expected delivery in late December.

Check it out: http://sd3dprinting.com/abe-adaptive-build-environment/