Which Material Should I Print In?
The honest short version: if it lives indoors and doesn't get hot, PLA. If it works for a living, PETG. If it lives in a car or outside, ABS or ASA. If it must bend, TPU. Details below — and if you're still unsure, tell us what you're making and we'll recommend.
PLA (all variants)
- Best for:
- The everyday material: decor, toys, prototypes, organisers, anything indoors.
- Strengths:
- Easiest to print, sharpest detail, huge colour range, plant-based and low-odour.
- Limits:
- Softens from ±55°C — never for a car dashboard or dishwasher; brittle under sharp impact.
In stock: PLA · PLA Hyper · PLA Hyper Silk · PLA Premium · Silk PLA+ · Eco PLA
PETG
- Best for:
- Functional parts that see real use: brackets, containers, outdoor fittings, mechanical parts.
- Strengths:
- Tough, slightly flexible, water- and chemical-resistant, handles heat better than PLA.
- Limits:
- Strings more when printing; fine detail is a little softer than PLA.
In stock: PETG · PETG Speed · PETG Speed CF · PETG Eco
ABS
- Best for:
- Heat-exposed and high-wear parts: automotive interior pieces, enclosures, clips.
- Strengths:
- Impact-tough, handles ±95°C, sandable and acetone-smoothable for a moulded finish.
- Limits:
- Needs an enclosed printer to avoid warping; prints with more odour.
In stock: ABS Premium · ABS Eco
ASA
- Best for:
- Outdoor parts living in the South African sun: exterior vehicle trim, garden fittings, signage brackets.
- Strengths:
- ABS toughness plus genuine UV resistance — colours and strength hold up outside.
- Limits:
- Same enclosure requirement as ABS.
In stock: ASA
TPU (flexible)
- Best for:
- Anything that must bend or grip: phone cases, gaskets, protective bumpers, wheels.
- Strengths:
- Rubber-like flex (95A softer, 98A firmer), extremely abrasion- and impact-resistant.
- Limits:
- Prints slowly; fine detail and sharp corners are not its strength.
CPE
- Best for:
- Demanding functional/engineering parts; the HT variant for higher heat.
- Strengths:
- Chemically resistant, dimensionally stable, tougher than PETG under sustained load.
- Limits:
- Costs more; overkill for decorative prints.
In stock: PRO CPE · PRO CPE+ · PRO CPE-HT
SBS
- Best for:
- Translucent decorative pieces and light guides.
- Strengths:
- Glass-like translucency, slightly flexible, low odour.
- Limits:
- Not for structural or heat-exposed parts.
In stock: SBS
Spec Comparison
Figures come straight from each filament's own listed specifications — the same numbers on the product pages.
| Filament | Print Temp | Bed Temp | Heat Distortion Temp | Tensile Strength | Elongation at Break |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 190–220°C | 45–60°C | 55°C | 45 MPa | 9% |
| PLA Hyper | 190–230°C | 60–65°C | 60°C | 50 MPa | 5% |
| PLA Hyper Silk | 190–220°C | 55–70°C | — | — | — |
| Silk PLA+ | 190–230°C | 50–65°C | 61°C | 35 MPa | 25% |
| PETG | 235–255°C | 60–80°C | 70°C | 49 MPa | 250% |
| PETG Speed | 225–255°C | 70–80°C | 70°C | 49 MPa | 136% |
| PETG Speed CF | 230–260°C | 75°C | 75°C | 58 MPa | 30% |
| ABS Premium | 230–250°C | 80–110°C | — | 32 MPa | 30% |
| SBS | 190–230°C | 70–80°C | 67°C | 23 MPa | 200% |
| PRO CPE | 235–265°C | 65–85°C | 81°C | 54 MPa | 230% |
| PRO CPE+ | 235–265°C | 70–100°C | 83°C | 48 MPa | 250% |
| PRO CPE-HT | 235–275°C | 75–110°C | 97°C | 48 MPa | 150% |