PLA, PETG or resin: what is the difference?
If you have started looking into 3D printing, you have probably run into a wall of material names and a lot of strong opinions. The good news is that for most projects the choice comes down to three: PLA, PETG and resin. Each one is good at different things. Here is a plain guide to what they actually mean for your print, without the jargon.
PLA: the everyday all rounder
PLA is the material most prints are made from, and for good reason. It prints cleanly, holds fine detail well, comes in every colour under the sun, and gives a lovely finish on display pieces. It is made from plant based sources, so it is about as friendly as plastic gets. For figures, models, ornaments, busts and anything that lives on a shelf or a desk, PLA is usually the right answer.
Where it falls down is heat. Leave a PLA print on a sunny car dashboard or next to a radiator for long enough and it can soften. So it is brilliant indoors and for display, less ideal for something that will bake in the sun all day. For the vast majority of what people order, none of that matters, which is why it is our default.
PETG: the tough, practical choice
PETG is the one to reach for when a print needs to survive real life. It is stronger and more flexible than PLA, it copes far better with heat, and it stands up to the outdoors and the odd knock. Think functional parts, brackets, holders, anything that goes in the garden or the garage, or a piece that needs to take a bit of stress without snapping.
The trade off is that PETG is a little fussier to print and does not always capture the very finest surface detail quite as crisply as PLA. For a rugged, working part that is a fair swap. For a delicate display figure, PLA usually wins on looks.
Resin: the detail king
Resin printing works in a completely different way to the others. Instead of laying down molten plastic, it cures liquid resin with light, layer by tiny layer. The result is astonishing detail and smooth surfaces, which is why serious miniatures, tabletop figures and highly detailed busts are often resin.
The catch is that resin prints tend to be more brittle, the process is messier and more involved, and it is better suited to smaller, detail heavy pieces than big sturdy parts. When you want fine features above all else, resin is unbeatable. When you want strength or size, it is not the tool for the job.
So which one should you pick?
- A figure, model or ornament for display: PLA. Great detail, great colours, great value.
- A functional part, an outdoor item, or anything that needs to be tough: PETG.
- A small, ultra detailed miniature or collectible: resin.
If you are not sure, that is completely normal, and it is exactly what we are here for. Tell us what the print is for and where it is going to live, and we will point you at the right material rather than letting you guess.
Not sure? Just ask
Picking a material is one of those things that sounds complicated and takes about thirty seconds once someone who does it every day is helping you. If you have a project in mind, send us your file or your idea and we will recommend the best material for the result you want. You can also see how different pieces come out across our range of prints.