Filament guide

3D Printing Materials Guide

Not sure which filament to pick for your custom print? Here's a plain-English comparison of the four materials we print in every day at our South Florida farm: PLA, PETG, TPU, and ABS.

Quick pick

  • Pretty display piece? Go with PLA — sharpest detail, best color range.
  • Functional part or outdoor use? Choose PETG — tougher and more heat resistant.
  • Needs to bend or grip? Pick TPU — flexible, rubber-like.
  • Hot environment or hard-use tool? Use ABS — heat and impact resistant.

Still unsure? Upload your model and select "Not sure" for material — our design team will recommend the best fit with your quote.

PLA

Softens ~55–60°C · Indoor only

The everyday default — easy, sharp, affordable.

Best for

  • Display models, figurines, and props
  • Prototypes and quick iterations
  • Indoor decor and gifts
  • Detailed prints where surface finish matters

Strengths

  • Prints cleanly with crisp detail
  • Wide color range, including multi-color and silks
  • Low warping and easy to glue/sand
  • Plant-based and low odor

Watch out for

  • Softens around 55–60°C — will warp in a hot car or direct sun
  • Brittle under sudden impact
  • Not ideal for outdoor use

PETG

Softens ~75–80°C · Short-term outdoor use is fine

The tougher all-rounder — great when PLA isn't enough.

Best for

  • Functional parts, brackets, and enclosures
  • Items exposed to heat or sunlight
  • Food-adjacent items like planters and organizers
  • Prints that need a bit of flex without breaking

Strengths

  • More heat and UV resistant than PLA
  • Impact resistant — bends before it snaps
  • Good layer adhesion and moisture resistance
  • Glossy finish, comes in translucent colors

Watch out for

  • Slightly stringy — fine detail can look softer than PLA
  • Harder to sand and glue than PLA
  • Longer print times for the same quality

TPU

Softens ~80°C · Handles moderate outdoor use

Flexible rubber-like filament for parts that need to bend.

Best for

  • Phone cases, grips, and gaskets
  • Shock absorbers and bumpers
  • Wearables and straps
  • Anything that should compress or flex

Strengths

  • Rubber-like flexibility with shape memory
  • Excellent abrasion and tear resistance
  • Grips well — great for tool handles and covers
  • Available in multiple shore hardnesses

Watch out for

  • Slower to print — we quote longer lead times for TPU
  • Bridges and steep overhangs are tricky
  • Not suitable for rigid load-bearing parts

ABS

Softens ~100°C · Good for outdoor and hot environments

Heat and impact resistant — for tougher functional parts.

Best for

  • Automotive interior parts
  • Tool housings and enclosures
  • Parts exposed to sustained heat
  • Prototypes needing acetone smoothing

Strengths

  • High heat resistance
  • Tough and impact resistant
  • Can be acetone-smoothed to a glossy finish
  • Machinable — sands, drills, and taps cleanly

Watch out for

  • Warps and shrinks — larger parts need extra care
  • Produces fumes; not for enclosed indoor spaces without ventilation
  • Lower fine detail than PLA
  • Longer setup time on our end

Ready to print yours?

Upload your STL and pick a material — or let our team recommend one based on how you'll use the part.

Temperatures and properties above are general guidance based on common industry filament specs. Actual performance depends on print settings, brand, and environment.