Materials guide

Choosing the right material for your part

All our printing is FDM (fused deposition modelling). We use five core materials — each suited to different applications. If you are unsure which to choose, tell us the use case and we will advise at quote stage.

Material selection depends on the application The right material for any given part depends on its intended use, temperature environment, mechanical load, exposure to moisture or UV, and finish expectations. The information below is a practical guide — not a specification sheet. We will always confirm suitability when reviewing your quote request.
Typical heat tolerance The temperature at which each material begins to soften. Usually the first thing that rules a material in or out.
  • PLA ~55 °C
  • PETG 70–80 °C
  • TPU ~80 °C
  • ABS ~100 °C
  • ASA 95–100 °C

Bars are drawn on a 0–110 °C scale; the paler extension shows the upper end of a range. Heat is only one factor. For anything outdoors, UV resistance matters more — ASA is the only material here that holds up to prolonged sunlight. For anything that needs to flex, TPU is the only option regardless of temperature.

PLA

Most accessible

Polylactic Acid

Best uses

  • Indoor display models and concept prints
  • Low-stress functional parts used at room temperature
  • Enclosures, covers, and housings (not near heat sources)
  • Decorative and non-structural parts
  • Prototypes for form and visual review

Strengths

  • Excellent surface finish and detail resolution
  • Consistent, reliable printing
  • Wide colour availability
  • Low warping — dimensionally stable during printing
  • Most cost-effective material

Weaknesses

  • Low heat resistance — begins to soften around 55–60°C
  • Brittle under sharp impact
  • Not suitable for prolonged outdoor or UV exposure
  • Poor chemical resistance

When not to choose PLA

  • Near heat sources (radiators, engines, direct sunlight in a hot car)
  • Applications requiring flexibility or impact absorption
  • Outdoor use where UV exposure is prolonged
  • Parts requiring chemical or solvent resistance
  • Any safety-critical or structural application

Rigidity: Stiff  •  Indoor / Outdoor: Indoor only  •  Typical heat tolerance: Up to ~55°C  •  Good for: Prototypes, models, enclosures

PETG

Good all-rounder

Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol

Best uses

  • Functional replacement parts
  • Parts requiring moderate toughness or impact resistance
  • Parts exposed to moisture or occasional water contact
  • Brackets, mounts, and holders
  • Food-adjacent storage containers (non-certified)

Strengths

  • Better impact and toughness than PLA
  • Good moisture resistance
  • Slightly flexible — less brittle than PLA
  • Higher heat tolerance than PLA (around 70–80°C)
  • Good layer adhesion

Weaknesses

  • Surface finish slightly less sharp than PLA
  • Can be stringy if print settings are not optimised
  • Not as heat-resistant as ABS or ASA
  • Susceptible to UV degradation over time

Ideal example applications

  • Appliance and household replacement parts
  • Workshop fixtures and storage clips
  • Brackets and cable management parts
  • Parts near mild heat sources (up to ~70°C)

Rigidity: Semi-rigid  •  Indoor / Outdoor: Indoor; limited outdoor  •  Typical heat tolerance: Up to ~70–80°C  •  Good for: Functional parts, brackets, mounts

TPU

Flexible

Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Best uses

  • Gaskets and seals
  • Flexible grips, handles, and covers
  • Protective bumpers and impact-absorbing parts
  • Cable management clips and flexible ties
  • Parts requiring a rubber-like feel

Strengths

  • Highly flexible — rubber-like elasticity
  • Good abrasion and wear resistance
  • Impact absorbing
  • Good chemical resistance
  • Returns to shape after deformation

Weaknesses

  • Slower to print than rigid materials
  • Not suitable for rigid structural parts
  • Surface finish can appear more fibrous
  • Dimensional accuracy can be harder to control

Ideal example applications

  • Lens and camera lens caps
  • Protective sleeves and edge guards
  • Floor-mount vibration pads
  • Custom gaskets for non-pressure applications
  • Flexible living hinge parts

Rigidity: Flexible / rubber-like  •  Indoor / Outdoor: Both  •  Typical heat tolerance: Up to ~80°C  •  Good for: Gaskets, grips, bumpers, seals

ABS

Heat resistant

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

Best uses

  • Parts in higher-temperature environments
  • Automotive interior trim and dashboard parts
  • Housings near heat sources
  • Parts requiring light post-processing or smoothing
  • Electrical enclosures (low-voltage, non-certified)

Strengths

  • Higher heat resistance than PLA and PETG (~100°C)
  • Better impact toughness than PLA
  • Good machinability — can be drilled and tapped
  • Can be acetone-smoothed for a glossier finish

Weaknesses

  • More prone to warping during printing — requires careful settings
  • Emits fumes during printing (adequate ventilation needed)
  • UV degradation outdoors — ASA is better for this
  • Higher failure rate than PLA and PETG if not carefully managed

Ideal example applications

  • Vehicle interior plastic parts
  • Parts in warm indoor environments
  • Appliance components near heating elements
  • Functional end-use parts needing heat tolerance

Rigidity: Rigid  •  Indoor / Outdoor: Indoor preferred  •  Typical heat tolerance: Up to ~100°C  •  Good for: Heat-resistant functional parts

ASA

Outdoor rated

Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate

Best uses

  • Outdoor parts exposed to sunlight and weather
  • Automotive exterior trim and accessories
  • Garden, outdoor equipment, and signage parts
  • Parts in hot or UV-exposed environments
  • Long-term exterior functional components

Strengths

  • Excellent UV and weathering resistance
  • Good heat resistance (~95–100°C)
  • Retains colour and properties outdoors
  • Good chemical resistance
  • Similar mechanical properties to ABS

Weaknesses

  • More challenging to print than PLA or PETG
  • Can warp on larger parts without careful settings
  • Fewer colour options than PLA
  • Higher cost than PLA and PETG

Ideal example applications

  • Number plate surrounds and trims
  • Outdoor electrical enclosures (non-certified)
  • Drone and RC vehicle body parts
  • Garden fixture and signage components
  • Roof rack and exterior vehicle accessories

Rigidity: Rigid  •  Indoor / Outdoor: Both — excellent outdoors  •  Typical heat tolerance: Up to ~95–100°C  •  Good for: Outdoor parts, UV-exposed components

Quick selection guide

Which material for your job?

NeedMaterial
Low-cost indoor print with good detailPLA
Tough functional part for general indoor usePETG
Flexible, rubber-like partTPU
Heat-resistant functional or automotive partABS
Outdoor part with UV and weather exposureASA
Prototype to check form and fitPLA or PETG
Replacement appliance partPETG or ABS (depends on heat)
Outdoor equipment componentASA
Gasket or gripTPU
Not sure? Tell us the intended use in your quote request and we will recommend the most appropriate material. Material selection is included as part of our quoting process.

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