The right material is half of a good part. Here is how PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA and TPU differ — and how to choose without guessing.
Comparison
Rated 1 to 5. Temperature is the approximate limit up to which the part keeps its shape.
| Material | Strength | Heat | Flexibility | UV | Ease of print | Up to | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLAPolylactic acid | ~60 °C | 10 RSD/g | Visual models, architectural mock-ups, form prototypes, figures and décor | |||||
| PETGPolyethylene terephthalate glycol | ~80 °C | 11 RSD/g | Brackets, enclosures, clips and parts that take impacts and moisture | |||||
| ABSAcrylonitrile butadiene styrene | ~100 °C | 12 RSD/g | Industrial parts, device housings, parts that will be sanded or glued | |||||
| ASAAcrylonitrile styrene acrylate | ~100 °C | 13 RSD/g | Outdoor parts, car accessories, brackets on balconies and façades | |||||
| TPUThermoplastic polyurethane | ~80 °C | 16 RSD/g | Seals, dampers, bumpers, cases, rubber feet |
The per-gram price covers material; 20% is added for machine time. No VAT is charged.
Quiz · 4 questions
Answer four questions and we’ll suggest a material. It’s the same thing we ask when you call.
In detail
10 RSD/g · ~60 °C
Polylactic acid
Best for: Visual models, architectural mock-ups, form prototypes, figures and décor
Sharpest detail and finest surface, lowest price, plant-based raw material.
Softens at around 60 °C — not for a car in summer or hot water.
11 RSD/g · ~80 °C
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol
Best for: Brackets, enclosures, clips and parts that take impacts and moisture
Tough, resistant to impact, water and most chemicals. Our default for functional parts.
Slightly less crisp detail than PLA, surface is a little glossy.
12 RSD/g · ~100 °C
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Best for: Industrial parts, device housings, parts that will be sanded or glued
Handles heat up to ~100 °C, easy to sand, drill and glue. The K2 Plus heated chamber prevents warping.
Fades and turns brittle in direct sunlight — for outdoor use we pick ASA.
13 RSD/g · ~100 °C
Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate
Best for: Outdoor parts, car accessories, brackets on balconies and façades
Everything ABS offers plus UV and weather resistance. Holds its colour for years.
Slightly pricier than ABS, narrower colour range.
16 RSD/g · ~80 °C
Thermoplastic polyurethane
Best for: Seals, dampers, bumpers, cases, rubber feet
Flexible like rubber (95A), never cracks and springs back. Great against vibration.
Prints slower, so the price per gram is higher.
Colours
Core colours in PLA and PETG are in stock for immediate production. Other shades, translucent, matte, silk and wood-fill filaments are sourced for your job — usually within 2–3 days.
The heated chamber and hardened nozzle of the K2 Plus also handle reinforced materials:
Infill & layers
The same material can make very different parts. We set these three for every job.
A part’s inside is a honeycomb, not solid plastic. 15–20% suits most parts; 40%+ for load-bearing brackets; 100% for small, highly stressed parts.
Strength depends more on walls than infill. For functional parts we add walls rather than filling the inside.
Thinner layers give smooth surfaces and fine detail; thicker layers are faster and cheaper for large, technical parts.
A part is weakest between layers. We orient it so force runs along the layers, not across them.
No sign-up, no waiting for a quote. No file? Send a sketch — we model that too.