Materials: PETG, ASA, and PLA

We print in three materials: PETG (our recommended default), ASA, and PLA. Each is right for some parts and wrong for others. Here's how to choose — including when not to pick each one.

PETG — our recommended default

PETG is tough and impact-resistant, and it handles heat, sun, and outdoor conditions far better than PLA, which is why it's our default for most functional parts. The trade-off: it prints a little less crisply than PLA, so very fine detail comes out slightly softer, and intricate geometry is more prone to stringing.

ASA — for heat and sun

ASA resists heat and UV better than PETG or PLA, and it stays tough in prolonged sun instead of going brittle over time. That makes it the right choice for parts that live outdoors permanently or in high heat. Its drawbacks are real: it's harder to print reliably, it can give off an odor while printing, and it typically costs more than PETG or PLA. Choose it when the conditions call for it, not by default.

PLA — for cool, indoor, detailed parts

PLA is stiffer and prints finer detail than PETG or ASA, which makes it a strong pick for indoor display pieces, prototypes, and fit checks. But it softens in modest heat — well below the temperature inside a parked car — and gets brittle over time, so it's the wrong choice for anything that sits in direct sun, a hot vehicle, or an enclosed space that heats up.

Finish and tolerance

Whatever the material, parts show visible layer lines and hold to about ±0.5% (±0.5 mm minimum). That suits functional parts well, but it isn't machined precision.

Which should I choose?

For most functional parts, PETG. For sustained sun or high heat, ASA. For cool indoor and detailed parts, PLA. Our guide, PLA vs PETG vs ASA for Arizona heat, walks through the heat question in detail. If you're unsure, ask before you order — we'd rather get the material right than replace a part that warped.