Choose a material around what your part needs to do. Start with the comparisons below, or tell us about your project and we’ll help narrow the options.
Find a material for your applicationMaterial availability, color, and suitability are confirmed during quoting.
| Your priority | Materials to discuss | Tell us |
|---|---|---|
| Looks & detail | PLA, decorative blends | Finish, color, size, and whether it stays indoors. |
| Daily functional use | PETG, ABS | Loads, fit, impacts, and operating temperature. |
| Outdoor exposure | ASA | Sun, weather, mounting, and expected service life. |
| Flexibility | TPU / TPE | How soft it needs to be and how it will bend. |
| Heat or impact | ABS, ASA, PC; selected nylon grades | Maximum temperature, duration, and load. |
| Stiff tooling | PETG-CF, PA-CF, glass-fiber-filled blends | Dimensions, tolerances, loads, and wear. |
| Chemical contact | Application-specific review; PP or PETG may be candidates | Chemical name, concentration, temperature, and contact time. |
Relative cost: $ = lower, $$ = midrange, $$$ = higher. These are general comparisons; design work, size, quantity, supports, and finishing also affect the quote.
Detailed indoor prints
Common uses: Models, signs, display pieces, organizers, and visual prototypes.
Rigid and good for fine detail. Standard PLA has limited heat resistance; tell us if the part will sit in a hot vehicle or carry a sustained load.
Relative cost: $
Ask about PLAEveryday functional parts
Common uses: Brackets, housings, organizers, and functional prototypes.
A practical balance of toughness and rigidity. Heat, chemicals, and prolonged sunlight still need application-specific review.
Relative cost: $–$$
Ask about PETGTough indoor components
Common uses: Housings, fixtures, and parts exposed to knocks or moderate heat.
Generally more heat tolerant than standard PLA. For prolonged sun exposure, ASA is usually the better starting point.
Relative cost: $$
Ask about ABSOutdoor applications
Common uses: Outdoor housings, signs, covers, and functional components.
Known for UV and weather resistance. Final outdoor life depends on the grade, color, design, and environment.
Relative cost: $$
Ask about ASAFlexible and rubber-like parts
Common uses: Grips, bumpers, protective covers, and cushioning pieces.
Flexibility varies by hardness and formulation. Share how soft the part should be and whether it will contact oils or chemicals.
Relative cost: $$–$$$
Ask about TPU / TPETough parts with wear demands
Common uses: Wear components, functional prototypes, and industrial fixtures.
Grades differ in stiffness and moisture absorption. We review fit, operating environment, and the specific nylon formulation.
Relative cost: $$–$$$
Ask about Nylon (PA)Impact and heat resistance
Common uses: Rigid housings, tooling, fixtures, and demanding functional prototypes.
A candidate when toughness and heat resistance matter. The exact blend, dimensions, and operating load determine suitability.
Relative cost: $$$
Ask about Polycarbonate (PC)Lightweight parts that flex
Common uses: Flexible components, prototype hinges, and selected chemical-contact applications.
Chemical compatibility must be checked against the actual chemical, concentration, temperature, and exposure time.
Relative cost: $$–$$$
Ask about Polypropylene (PP)Rigid functional parts
Common uses: Fixtures, housings, and parts where stiffness and a matte finish matter.
Carbon fiber is added to a PETG base. It does not automatically make a part tougher, heat-proof, or suitable for every load.
Relative cost: $$–$$$
Ask about PETG-CFReinforced tooling and fixtures
Common uses: Rigid fixtures, tooling, and engineering prototypes.
Properties depend on the nylon grade and fiber content. Drying, print direction, and testing are important for consistent fit and function.
Relative cost: $$$
Ask about Nylon-CF (PA-CF)Reinforced engineering options
Common uses: Tooling and fixtures where a specific reinforced grade fits the job.
The base plastic matters as much as the fiber. We confirm the formulation and printer compatibility during quoting.
Relative cost: $$$
Ask about Glass-fiber-filled blendsDecorative textures and finishes
Common uses: Display pieces and decorative prints with a distinctive look or feel.
These are filled plastic filaments; metal-filled prints are not equivalent to solid metal parts. Availability varies by formulation.
Relative cost: $$–$$$
Ask about Wood-filled / metal-filledCF means carbon-fiber-filled; GF means glass-fiber-filled. PETG-CF and PA-CF use different base plastics and have different properties. Reinforcement can increase stiffness, while impact behavior and strength between printed layers still depend on the formulation and print design.
HIPS and PVA are support-material options used to help produce certain geometries. They are selected around the main printing material and removal method rather than as a default finished-part choice.
For masking plugs, chemical processing, or demanding functional parts, include the chemicals, temperatures, exposure times, fit, and sealing requirements in your request. Material selection and sample evaluation should reflect the actual process.
Published material properties describe a particular formulation and test method. Part geometry, print direction, and operating conditions affect the finished result.
Discuss your projectGeneral material guidance informed by manufacturer resources. The specific filament’s technical data sheet is reviewed when needed for your project.
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