In this Material Guide:
- PLA: The King of Aesthetics & Speed
- PETG: The Functional Middle-Ground
- ABS / ASA: The Engineering Grade (and why you need an enclosure)
- Cheat Sheet: Which one should you buy?
You just bought a 3D printer. It came with a small sample coil of plastic. You printed a boat, and it looked great. Now you are on Amazon looking to buy more, and you are staring at a wall of acronyms: PLA, PLA+, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU.
Choosing the wrong material is the #1 cause of print failures. You cannot put PLA in a dishwasher, and you cannot print ABS without a filter. Here is the 2025 guide to choosing the right spool for the job.
1. PLA (Polylactic Acid)
"The Default Choice"
PLA is made from cornstarch. It is biodegradable (technically), smells sweet when melting, and is the easiest material to print.
The Good
- Looks Amazing: Sharp corners and high detail.
- Fast: Modern "Hyper PLA" prints at 600mm/s.
- No Warping: Sticks to the bed easily.
The Bad
- Heat Sensitivity: Softens at 60°C (140°F). It will melt in a hot car.
- Brittle: It snaps rather than bends.
2. PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
"The Functional Standard"
This is the same plastic used in water bottles. If you are printing Gridfinity bins, drone parts, or mechanical brackets, PETG is the winner.
- Durability: It bends before it breaks. It is much tougher than PLA.
- Heat Resistance: It can handle up to ~80°C. Safe for outdoor use (mostly).
- The Downside: It is "stringy." You will often find wisps of plastic on your print.
3. ABS & ASA
"The Engineering Grade"
This is LEGO plastic. It is incredibly durable and can be sanded and smoothed with Acetone. However, in 2025, we recommend ASA over standard ABS.
Requirement Warning:
You cannot print ABS/ASA on an open printer (like an Ender 3). You need an Enclosure to trap the heat, and you need Ventilation because the fumes are toxic (Styrene).
- Why ASA? It is basically "ABS + UV Protection." Standard ABS turns yellow and cracks in the sun. ASA lasts forever outside.
- Use Case: Car parts, outdoor planters, tool handles.
The Comparison Cheat Sheet
| Feature |
PLA |
PETG |
ASA / ABS |
| Ease of Print |
|
|
(Hard)
|
| Strength |
Low (Brittle) |
High (Tough) |
High (Impact) |
| Heat Resist |
Low (60°C) |
Med (80°C) |
High (100°C) |
| Enclosure? |
No |
No |
Mandatory |
| Best For... |
Toys, Decor |
Tools, Brackets |
Car Parts |
Verdict: What should you buy?
For 90% of your prints: Buy PLA+.
It is cheap ($15/kg), looks beautiful, and works for anything that stays inside your house.
For functional parts: Buy PETG.
If you are making something that needs to snap together or might get left in the sun, use PETG.
Skip ABS, buy ASA.
Only buy this if you have an enclosed printer and need to make car parts.
Favorite Brand?
Are you a fan of eSun, Overture, or Bambu Lab filament? Share your print settings and color recommendations in the 3D Printing forum to help others dial in their profiles.
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