3D Printing Materials Guide
Not sure which material to choose? This guide covers the 7 most common 3D printing materials, their strengths, weaknesses, and best use cases.
Quick Comparison
| Material | Strength | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌱 PLA | Medium | $15–25/kg | Prototyping, Display models |
| 💧 PETG | High | $18–30/kg | Functional parts, Outdoor use |
| 🔧 ABS | High | $18–30/kg | Automotive parts, Electronic enclosures |
| 🏋️ TPU | Medium (very flexible) | $25–45/kg | Phone cases, Gaskets & seals |
| 💎 Resin | Low–Medium (varies by type) | $30–80/L | Miniatures & tabletop gaming, Jewelry casting masters |
| ⚡ Nylon | Very High | $40–70/kg | Gears & bearings, Hinges & snap-fits |
| 🏎️ Carbon Fiber Composites | Very High (stiffness) | $40–80/kg | Drone frames, RC car parts |
🌱 PLA (Polylactic Acid)
The most popular 3D printing material. Biodegradable, easy to print, great surface finish.
✅ Pros
- • Easy to print
- • Low warping
- • Biodegradable
- • Wide color range
- • Low cost
❌ Cons
- • Low heat resistance (~60°C)
- • Brittle
- • Not food-safe without coating
- • Degrades in sunlight
🎯 Best For
PrototypingDisplay modelsCosplay propsToys & figurinesArchitectural models
🌡️ Temp: 190–220°C nozzle / 50–60°C bed💰 Cost: $15–25/kg
💧 PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
The balanced all-rounder. Stronger than PLA, more flexible, better chemical resistance.
✅ Pros
- • Good strength & flexibility
- • Chemical resistant
- • Low warping
- • Food-safe variants available
- • UV resistant
❌ Cons
- • Stringing issues
- • Hygroscopic (absorbs moisture)
- • Harder to post-process
- • Can be sticky
🎯 Best For
Functional partsOutdoor useFood containersMechanical componentsWater-tight prints
🌡️ Temp: 220–250°C nozzle / 70–80°C bed💰 Cost: $18–30/kg
🔧 ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
The original engineering plastic. Tough, heat-resistant, and acetone-smoothable.
✅ Pros
- • High heat resistance (~100°C)
- • Impact resistant
- • Acetone smoothing
- • Durable
- • Machinable
❌ Cons
- • Warping without enclosure
- • Toxic fumes — needs ventilation
- • Bed adhesion issues
- • Higher print temps
🎯 Best For
Automotive partsElectronic enclosuresFunctional prototypesJigs & fixturesHigh-temp applications
🌡️ Temp: 230–260°C nozzle / 90–110°C bed💰 Cost: $18–30/kg
🏋️ TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
Flexible, rubber-like material. Perfect for gaskets, phone cases, and wearables.
✅ Pros
- • Flexible & elastic
- • Abrasion resistant
- • Impact absorbing
- • Chemical resistant
- • Vibration dampening
❌ Cons
- • Slow print speed
- • Difficult with Bowden extruders
- • Stringing
- • Limited precision
🎯 Best For
Phone casesGaskets & sealsShoe insolesWearablesVibration dampeners
🌡️ Temp: 220–250°C nozzle / 50–60°C bed💰 Cost: $25–45/kg
💎 Resin (SLA/MSLA)
Liquid photopolymer cured by UV light. Extreme detail at 25–50 micron resolution.
✅ Pros
- • Incredible detail
- • Smooth surface finish
- • Fast for small parts
- • Wide specialty options
- • Precise dimensions
❌ Cons
- • Toxic uncured — gloves required
- • Post-processing (wash + cure)
- • Brittle (standard resin)
- • Smaller build volume
- • Higher cost per part
🎯 Best For
Miniatures & tabletop gamingJewelry casting mastersDental modelsDetailed prototypesSmall mechanical parts
🌡️ Temp: Room temperature + UV cure💰 Cost: $30–80/L
⚡ Nylon (PA6/PA12)
Industrial-grade engineering material. Extremely tough, flexible, and wear-resistant.
✅ Pros
- • Very strong
- • Excellent wear resistance
- • Chemical resistant
- • Low friction
- • Fatigue resistant
❌ Cons
- • Very hygroscopic
- • High warping
- • Needs dry storage
- • Requires enclosed printer
- • Expensive
🎯 Best For
Gears & bearingsHinges & snap-fitsIndustrial toolingHigh-wear partsFunctional mechanical parts
🌡️ Temp: 250–270°C nozzle / 70–90°C bed💰 Cost: $40–70/kg
🏎️ Carbon Fiber Composites
Chopped carbon fiber mixed with a base material (PLA, PETG, Nylon). Stiff, lightweight, premium.
✅ Pros
- • High stiffness
- • Lightweight
- • Dimensional stability
- • Professional look
- • Reduced warping vs base material
❌ Cons
- • Abrasive — needs hardened nozzle
- • Expensive
- • Reduced flexibility
- • Layer adhesion can be weaker
🎯 Best For
Drone framesRC car partsStructural bracketsCamera mountsLightweight tools
🌡️ Temp: Varies by base material + 10°C💰 Cost: $40–80/kg
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