PLA, PETG, ABS or TPU: which plastic to choose for 3D printing
Published 2026-10-15 · 7 min read
Half the questions we get are “what should we print it in?”. The answer depends not on which plastic is “better” but on where the part will live: in a car in the sun, in a bathroom, on a shelf or in a child’s hands. Here is everything in one table, plus short answers for typical jobs.
Everything in one table
| Plastic | Heat | Water and sun | Strength | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | up to 55–60 °C | indoors; turns brittle in the sun over time | stiff but snaps on impact | 0.12 ₾/g | decor, figures, toys, prototypes |
| PETG | up to ~70 °C | fine with water, handles sun well | flexible and tough, does not crack | 0.12 ₾/g | clips, mounts, kitchen, bathroom, outdoors |
| ABS | up to ~90 °C | yellows outdoors | impact resistant, easy to finish | 0.14 ₾/g | car interiors, housings, parts near heat |
| ASA | up to ~90 °C | best outdoors: does not yellow | like ABS | on request | car exterior parts, outdoor signs |
| TPU | up to ~80 °C | fine with water and oil | bends like rubber, does not tear | 0.18 ₾/g | seals, bumpers, feet, cases |
Quick answers
- Decor, vases, figures, gifts: PLA. The nicest colors, including silk and matte, and the crispest edges.
- Kids’ toys: PLA. Stiff, odourless and handles play. Small parts are not for children under 3.
- Car interior part: ABS. A closed car in Tbilisi in summer goes above 60 °C and PLA would warp within a day.
- Car exterior or balcony part: ASA or PETG. ABS yellows and turns brittle in the sun.
- Kitchen and bathroom: PETG. Fine with water, detergents and steam.
- A clip, latch or hook that bends when fitted: PETG. It flexes where PLA would crack.
- Rubber foot, seal, door stop: TPU.
- Gear or loaded bracket: PETG or ABS at 100% infill; PA-CF on request for heavy loads.
What none of them does
- None replaces metal: anything carrying heavy loads, getting hotter than 100 °C or responsible for safety should not be printed.
- Not for food dishes: print layers leave micro-gaps where bacteria live, so we do not print mugs or chopping boards.
- PLA is not for outdoors: one or two seasons in the sun make it brittle.
Why the plastic changes the price
A gram of PLA or PETG costs the same with us, 0.12 ₾; ABS is 0.14 ₾ and flexible TPU 0.18 ₾. But printer time matters more than plastic. TPU prints two to three times slower, so a TPU part costs noticeably more than the same part in PLA. The calculator on the site shows the price for each plastic, so you can compare in a minute.
If you are not sure
Tell us where the part will sit and what it has to withstand: sun, water, load, heat. We will suggest a plastic for free. Sometimes the honest answer is that the part should be bought in metal, and we will say so.
FAQ
Which plastic is the strongest?
Which plastic survives the heat in a car?
Can you print dishes for food?
Which plastic for a toy?
Didn’t find what you need among our models?
Pick any model in the open libraries and send us the link — we print it in your color. Ready-made searches on the topic:
Check it on your own part
Upload an STL file to the calculator — the printing price appears in a minute.