Which material do I need for my 3D print?
The right material is the difference between a part that lasts for years and one that warps after a summer in the sun. The good news: you don't have to work it out yourself. Tell us what the part has to do and we'll propose the right material. Prefer to choose for yourself? Everything you need is below.
For indoor use without heavy loads, choose PLA (most affordable, nicest finish). For functional parts that must handle knocks, moisture or heat: PETG. For outdoors and full sun: ASA. For maximum stiffness: carbon-filled material. Need flexibility: TPU.
The materials at a glance
PLA — the standard for good looks, indoors
The workhorse for anything that stays indoors: decoration, name signs, prototypes, holders and organisers. Stiff, dimensionally stable, available in most colours and finishes (matt, gloss, translucent) and the most affordable. The limitation: PLA doesn't like heat — it softens from around 55 °C. A dashboard in summer sun or the dishwasher is no place for PLA.
From our workshop: we print our name lamps and most decorative pieces in PLA — crisp surface, sharp detail, and the colour stays beautiful.
PETG — the all-rounder for functional parts
Tougher than PLA and better against heat (up to ± 75 °C) and moisture. The logical choice for parts that have to do something: brackets, clips that take tension, housings, parts in a garage or shed. The surface is slightly glossier and the finest details are a fraction less sharp than with PLA — for functional pieces that rarely matters.
ASA — for outdoors and full sun
Strong, heat-resistant and UV-stable: ASA doesn't discolour or grow brittle in the sun, where most other materials do. The choice for anything that lives outside — garden parts, fixings on a façade, parts on or around a vehicle.
Carbon-filled (CF) — maximum stiffness
A base material (such as PETG or nylon) with carbon fibres: noticeably stiffer, more dimensionally stable and with a handsome matt, technical look. For tooling, jigs, load-bearing parts and anything that must not flex under load. A little dearer than the base material, and worth every euro where stiffness counts.
From our workshop: we printed the insert plates for a Milwaukee PACKOUT tool case in carbon-filled PETG — stiff enough to hang full of tools without sagging.
TPU — flexible and near-indestructible
Rubbery and bendable: protective covers, feet, seals, grips and anything that has to give rather than break. Available in several hardnesses, from supple to firmly flexible.
At a glance
| PLA | PETG | ASA | Carbon-filled | TPU | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | good (stiff) | very good (tough) | very good | excellent (stiff) | flexible |
| Heat resistance | up to ± 55 °C | up to ± 75 °C | high | as the base material | moderate |
| Outdoors / sun | no | limited | yes | depends on the base | limited |
| Finish | finest detail | slightly glossy | matt | matt, technical | rubbery |
| Price | most affordable | slightly higher | higher | highest | higher |
| Typical for | decoration, indoors | functional parts | outdoor parts | load-bearing, stiff | flexible, grip |
A full overview of everything we stock — including ABS, nylon, PC and the laser materials — is on our materials page.
Not sure? This is how we choose for you
Just describe with your request what the part has to do — where it will sit, what rests or pulls on it, indoors or outdoors. We propose the material and tell you honestly why, with an alternative where there is one. That is part of every quote, at no extra cost.
Curious what your print will cost? See our price guide →
Frequently asked questions
Which material is strongest?+
That depends on what "strong" means for your part. Must it stay stiff under load: carbon-filled. Must it survive a knock or a fall: PETG, which bends before it breaks. Must it give: TPU. Tell us what the part will be put through and we will choose correctly.
Can a 3D print hang outdoors?+
Yes — in ASA. It is UV-stable and does not discolour or grow brittle in the sun. We advise against PLA and standard PETG outdoors: PLA deforms in summer heat and most materials age under UV.
Is a 3D print dishwasher-safe or food-safe?+
Standard print material is not made for the dishwasher — the combination of heat and detergent is too aggressive. For food contact we give honest advice per application: printed parts have microscopic grooves that a food-contact certification does not simply cover. Ask about it with your request and we will look at what is possible for your case.
Is every material available in every colour?+
PLA has by far the largest colour palette, including special finishes. Technical materials such as ASA and carbon-filled come in a more limited range — carbon is typically matt black. Your quote lists the available colours for the proposed material.
Does the material make much difference to the price?+
The choice of material counts, but print time and size matter more. PLA is the most affordable; technical materials cost a little more per part. You see the exact price in your quote — guide prices are in our price guide.