Which 3D printing material should I choose?

PLA for low-cost indoor and display parts, PETG for tough everyday functional parts, ABS for strong heat-tolerant parts, ASA for outdoor and UV-exposed parts, and TPU for flexible rubber-like parts. Compare them in the table above.

Which materials hold up outdoors?

ASA is UV- and weather-stable and is our recommendation for outdoor parts. PETG resists moisture but has limited UV resistance. PLA and ABS are not recommended for prolonged outdoor use.

Can you laser-mark every material?

Yes. Every material we print takes a permanent laser mark — serial numbers, logos, QR codes, or part IDs — added on request and included in your quote.

What tolerances can I expect?

Typical tolerance is about plus or minus 0.2 to 0.3 mm. Design at nominal dimensions; we apply material shrinkage compensation. Plan roughly 0.2 to 0.3 mm of clearance for mating parts.

Materials

Production materials

Five production-grade thermoplastics, each matched to a job — from low-cost prototyping stock to weather-stable, load-bearing parts. Compare them below, or use the finder to match one to your application. Every part can be permanently laser-marked.

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Material finder

Find your material

Describe your part in your own words: what it is, where it’ll be used, and what it needs to do. The advisor recommends the material, infill, and resolution, and you can ask follow-ups in plain language.

File2Forge Material Advisor Online · tuned to our 5 materials

Material comparison

Relative properties across our five materials. Select any material for full specs and typical applications.

Material	Strength	Heat resistance	Outdoor / UV	Flexibility	Best for
PLA	Low–medium	Low	Not recommended	Rigid	Prototypes, display & indoor parts
PETG	Medium–high	Medium	Water-resistant; limited UV	Slightly flexible	Functional parts, enclosures, brackets
ABS	High	High	Not UV-stable	Rigid, impact-tough	Brackets, enclosures, interior parts
ASA	High	High	UV- & weather-stable	Rigid	Outdoor & vehicle parts, signage
TPU	Flexible	Medium	Moderate	Flexible (semi-rigid to soft)	Bumpers, grips, seals, dampeners

Deciding between the engineering materials? Read PETG vs ABS vs ASA: how to choose.

PLA

Rigid · low-cost · indoor

Order in PLA →

Dimensionally accurate and economical — the go-to for parts that live indoors and don’t face heat or load. Prints with crisp detail and a clean surface.

Properties

Strength: Low–medium
Heat: Low · softens ~60°C
Outdoor: Not recommended
Flex: Rigid
Finish: Smooth, matte

Common uses

Prototypes and concept models
Display pieces, figurines, and props
Jigs, fixtures, and tabletop parts
Indoor signage and name tags

Available colors

Black White Grey Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Pink Metallic Silver

PETG

Tough · water-resistant · all-rounder

Order in PETG →

Tough, water-resistant, and slightly flexible — a dependable choice for everyday functional parts that need to take a knock.

Properties

Strength: Medium–high
Heat: Medium · ~70°C
Outdoor: Water-resistant; limited UV
Flex: Slightly flexible
Finish: Glossy

Common uses

Enclosures, housings, and guards
Brackets, mounts, and mechanical parts
Containers and parts exposed to moisture
Functional prototypes

Available colors

Black White Grey Green Blue Orange

ABS

Strong · heat-tolerant · impact-tough

Order in ABS →

Strong and heat-tolerant with good impact resistance — a workhorse for end-use indoor and automotive parts that see stress or warmth.

Properties

Strength: High
Heat: High · ~100°C
Outdoor: Not UV-stable
Flex: Rigid, impact-tough
Finish: Matte

Common uses

Structural brackets and load-bearing parts
Enclosures and housings
Automotive interior parts
Functional parts near heat

Available colors

Black White Blue

ASA

Outdoor-ready · UV-stable · strong

Order in ASA →

ABS-level strength and heat resistance, plus UV and weather stability — built to hold its color and shape through sun and rain. Our recommendation for outdoor parts.

Properties

Strength: High
Heat: High · ~100°C
Outdoor: UV- & weather-stable
Flex: Rigid
Finish: Matte

Common uses

Outdoor enclosures and housings
Signage and nameplates
Automotive exterior parts
Mounting hardware exposed to the elements

Available colors

Black White Grey Red Green Blue

TPU

Flexible · rubber-like · two firmnesses

Order in TPU →

A flexible, rubber-like material for parts that bend, grip, or absorb shock. Available in two firmnesses so you can match the feel to the job.

Properties

Strength: Flexible
Heat: Medium
Outdoor: Moderate
Flex: Semi-rigid (95A) to soft (90A)
Finish: Matte

Common uses

Gaskets, seals, and grommets
Bumpers and protective parts
Grips, handles, and feet
Vibration dampeners and flexible hinges

95A — Semi-rigid

Holds its shape while still flexing. Bumpers, brackets, grips, and snap-fits.

90A — Soft

Softer and more rubbery. Vibration dampeners, soft seals, and flexible feet.

Available colors

Black White Grey Clear

Permanent laser marking on every material

Serial numbers, QR codes, logos, or part IDs, on any material and color. It’s a permanent, tamper-proof surface mark, configured and priced directly in the order tool.

Start your order →

Design guidelines

Tolerances

Typical tolerance is ±0.2–0.3 mm. Design at nominal dimensions — material shrinkage is compensated in our process. Allow 0.2–0.3 mm of clearance for press-fits, threads, and shafts in holes.

Wall thickness

Minimum recommended wall is 1.0 mm for clean printing and structural durability. The order tool flags thinner walls and highlights the affected areas before you order.

Build size

Maximum part size is 256 × 256 × 260 mm. Models are checked against the build volume at upload, and oversized files are flagged immediately.

File formats

We accept STL, OBJ, and 3MF. Export from your CAD or modeling tool at nominal dimensions.

Not sure which material fits?

Tell the materials advisor about your part, or send us your file and we’ll point you to the right one.

Ask the materials advisor → Email us your file