Materials
Compare the intended job
This table is a selection guide, not a strength or temperature rating. Use the material page for the current filament information and tell us about the real working conditions.
| Need | PLA | PETG |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor fit or appearance check | Often a useful starting point | Useful when the later test also needs practical handling |
| Repeated handling | Check brittleness and feature design | Consider for a more forgiving functional part |
| Heat or outdoor exposure | Discuss the real temperature and exposure before choosing | Still needs application review; not a universal outdoor guarantee |
| Fit-critical geometry | Test the actual geometry and orientation | Test again after changing material |
Materials
Fast answer
Choose PLA when the part is mainly for indoor use, fast prototyping, clean detail, or economical one-off work.
Choose PETG when the part needs more durability, water resistance, or practical everyday toughness.
If the part is only proving a shape, PLA usually keeps the order simple. If someone will keep using the part after the first fit check, PETG is usually worth the small step up.
- PLA is easier and cleaner for many quick prototype jobs.
- PETG is a better all-around upgrade for parts that need to survive real handling.
- If heat or weather are part of the environment, PETG usually wins.
Materials
How the tradeoff really feels in practice
For many customers, PLA feels like the fastest and lowest-friction way to get a part made. It is often the right answer when the part is mainly about checking shape, fit, or appearance.
PETG starts to make more sense when the part is supposed to stay in use, take a little abuse, or live in an environment where PLA feels too fragile or heat-sensitive.
A good ordering note is simple: describe where the part will live. Indoor desk prototype, vehicle interior, damp shop, enclosure cover, and repeated hand tool use all point to different risk levels.
Materials
Use case examples
PLA is a strong fit for visual models, early enclosure shells, simple spacers, light-duty mockups, and parts that need clean detail more than long-term toughness. It is also a sensible choice when the design may change again tomorrow.
PETG is better for brackets, covers, clips, replacement pieces, shop helpers, and parts that may see moisture, repeated handling, or mild flex. It is not indestructible, but it gives many everyday functional parts more margin than PLA.
- Pick PLA for speed, appearance checks, and indoor fit validation.
- Pick PETG for practical parts that should stay in service.
- Move to PETG-CF or PET-CF when stiffness and dimensional stability matter more than basic toughness.
Materials
What to include with the order
The file alone does not say whether a part is decorative, temporary, or functional. A short note about load, heat, moisture, and handling helps prevent choosing a material that looks fine in checkout but disappoints in use.
If the choice is unclear, upload the file with the real use case. A bracket for a warm machine area, a handheld adapter, and a shelf display model may look similar in CAD but belong in different material conversations.
- Where the part will be used: indoors, outdoors, vehicle, shop, or equipment.
- Whether it is a prototype, a temporary helper, or a part expected to stay installed.
- Any fit-critical surfaces, screw holes, clips, or flexing features.
Key takeaways
What matters most
- PLA is the easiest place to start for fast indoor prototype work.
- PETG is the safer default for everyday functional parts.
- Material choice should follow the real environment and use case, not just habit.