PLA vs PETG vs ASA/ABS

Which filament fits which print.

PLA — the default

The most-printed plastic, for good reason: cheap, easy, clean surface finish.

• Best for: display pieces, props, miniatures, articulated prints, gifts, anything indoors.
• Strength: stiff but brittle. Snaps under sudden impact rather than bending.
• Heat resistance: poor — softens around 60 °C. Do not leave PLA prints in a parked car in summer.
• Finish: smooth, takes paint well after light sanding.
• Price: cheapest of the three.

PETG — the everyday workhorse

A step up in toughness without giving up much print quality.

• Best for: outdoor parts, mechanical pieces, food-contact surfaces (with food-safe filament), parts that need to flex without snapping.
• Strength: tougher than PLA, slightly flexible, doesn’t shatter.
• Heat resistance: good — holds up around 70–80 °C.
• UV / weather: much better than PLA. Survives sun and rain.
• Finish: glossy, slightly stringy in fine detail. Good enough for functional parts, second choice for display.
• Price: roughly 20% more than PLA.

ASA / ABS — the engineering option

What car bumpers and Lego bricks are made of. We use these for parts that have to live in hot, sunny, or industrial conditions.

• Best for: car accessories, dashboard mounts, garden tools, parts that get hot or live in direct sun for years.
• Strength: tough and impact-resistant, slightly flexible.
• Heat resistance: excellent — holds up around 95–105 °C.
• UV / weather: ASA is built for outdoor use. ABS is fine indoors but yellows in sun.
• Finish: matte. Sands and paints beautifully. Can be vapor-smoothed for a glossy finish.
• Price: 30–50% more than PLA. Slightly slower to print.

Quick picker

Not sure? Tell us what the print is for — we’ll recommend a material and explain the trade-off.