Precision 3DHow to choose the right filament: PLA, PETG or resin
5 min read · Precision 3D Learn
Every item in our shop can be printed in three materials: PLA, PETG and resin. They all make great objects, but each has its own personality. Here's how to choose without needing a chemistry degree.
PLA — the friendly all-rounder
PLA is the most popular 3D printing material in the world. It is made largely from plant-based starches (such as corn or sugarcane), prints with crisp detail and comes in lots of bright colors.
- Great for: desk items, decor, gifts, keychains, nameplates and most indoor objects.
- Keep in mind: PLA softens at fairly low temperatures (around 55–60 °C / 130–140 °F), so don't leave it on a car dashboard in summer or put it in the dishwasher.
- Price: our base price — the most affordable option.
PETG — tougher and more weather-resistant
PETG is closely related to the plastic used in drinks bottles. It is a bit flexible rather than brittle, so it handles knocks and drops better, and it copes with warmth and moisture better than PLA.
- Great for: things that get handled a lot, items that live near water or outdoors (like a planter on a sunny balcony), and anything that might be dropped.
- Keep in mind: surfaces can be slightly glossier and fine detail a touch softer than PLA.
- Price: about 20% more than PLA in our shop.
Resin — for the finest detail
Resin works differently: instead of melted filament, a liquid resin is hardened by light, layer by layer. The result is a very smooth surface with tiny details that filament can't quite match — faces, textures and sharp edges.
- Great for: figurines, display pieces and anything where detail matters most. It's what we recommend for the Robot Figurine.
- Keep in mind: standard resin is harder but more brittle than PETG, so it is best for display rather than rough use, and long periods in direct sunlight can make it yellow or brittle over time.
- Price: about 50% more than PLA.
Quick picker
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Best value, bright colors, indoor use | PLA |
| Extra toughness, outdoors, near water or heat | PETG |
| Fine detail, smooth display piece | Resin |
A note on colors
We offer black, white, gray, red, blue, green, orange, purple and transparent. "Transparent" prints come out translucent — they glow nicely when light passes through but aren't glass-clear. Darker colors hide layer lines best; lighter colors show off shape and shading.
Still unsure? PLA is the right answer for most indoor items. Pick PETG if it will be used hard or live outside, and resin when detail is the star.