One of the questions we get asked most at Print A Part is “what’s it made of?” — and it’s a great question, because the material a part is printed in changes how it looks, how strong it is, and how long it lasts. We print in three main materials: PLA, ABS and PETG. Here’s a plain-English guide to what each one does best, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
PLA — the everyday all-rounder
PLA is the most popular 3D printing material, and for good reason. It prints with crisp detail and a clean finish, comes in the widest range of colours (including our Wood, Transparent and Glow in the Dark options), and it’s made from renewable plant-based sources.
Best for: indoor items where looks matter — battery holders, plant pot holders, decorative pieces, organisers and gifts. If a product lives inside your home, PLA is usually the perfect choice.
Watch out for: heat. PLA can soften if left in a hot car or in direct, baking sun for long periods, so it’s not the one for your car dashboard in an Australian summer.
PETG — the tough, weather-friendly middle ground
PETG is the sweet spot between everyday printability and real-world durability. It’s stronger and more flexible than PLA, handles moisture well, and copes with heat and sunlight far better — without being as fussy to print as ABS.
Best for: items that need to take a knock or live outdoors or in the shed — brackets, functional parts, anything exposed to weather or moisture, and replacement parts that need to last.
ABS — the heat-resistant workhorse
ABS is the tough, heat-resistant plastic you’ll find in things like LEGO bricks and car interiors. It stands up to higher temperatures and impact, which makes it ideal for demanding jobs.
Best for: parts that face heat or mechanical stress, and applications where toughness is the priority over a flawless surface finish.
A quick comparison
- Best detail & colour range: PLA
- Best for outdoors & moisture: PETG
- Best for heat & high impact: ABS
- Everyday indoor use: PLA
Not sure? We’ll choose for you
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure this out alone. For every product in our shop, we’ve already chosen the material that suits the job. And if you’re ordering a custom part, just tell us where it’ll be used — indoors, outdoors, near heat, under load — and we’ll recommend the right material for you.
Have a project in mind? Get in touch and let’s work out the best material for it together — or browse the shop to see what we make.