Materials guide
PLA, ABS and PETG: which 3D printing material to choose
RoboticGen prints in three plastics: PLA, ABS and PETG. In short, PLA is the easiest choice for models and prototypes, ABS suits parts that get warm or need to be tough, and PETG sits between the two with good toughness and moisture resistance.
All three come in white, black, blue and yellow.
PLA vs ABS vs PETG at a glance
| Material | Good for | Strengths | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Models, prototypes, display pieces, indoor parts | Stiff, crisp detail, clean finish | Softens with heat, so not for hot cars or direct sun |
| ABS | Functional parts, enclosures, parts that get warm | Tough, handles higher temperatures than PLA | A more technical material to print |
| PETG | Mechanical and outdoor parts, parts near moisture | Tough, slightly flexible, resists moisture | Surface finish can be less crisp than PLA |
These are the general properties of each plastic, not measured values for a specific part. How a part performs also depends on its design, layer height and infill.
PLA
PLA is the default material on the quotation page. It prints with sharp detail and a clean surface, which makes it the usual choice for concept models, prototypes, figures, display parts and anything that stays indoors. Its weak point is heat: PLA softens at fairly low temperatures, so avoid it for parts left in a car or in direct sun.
ABS
ABS is a tougher plastic that copes with higher temperatures than PLA, which suits functional parts, enclosures, brackets and parts near warm electronics. We print ABS with eSUN ABS+HS on enclosed Bambu Lab P2S printers.
PETG
PETG combines toughness with a little flexibility and good resistance to moisture. It is a good fit for mechanical parts, clips and parts used outdoors or around water.
Choosing settings with your material
Material is one of four choices on the quotation page. You also choose the layer height (0.24 mm Draft, 0.20 mm Standard or 0.16 mm Final details), the infill (how solid the inside is, from 5% to 100%) and the quantity. Finer layers show more detail but take longer to print; more infill makes a part heavier and stronger.
Questions people ask
Which materials does RoboticGen print?
PLA, ABS and PETG. ABS is printed with eSUN ABS+HS. Each material is available in white, black, blue and yellow.
Which material should I choose if I am not sure?
PLA is the usual choice for models, prototypes and display parts that stay indoors. Choose ABS or PETG if the part has to cope with heat or more demanding use.
Can I see my part in a colour before ordering?
Yes. The quotation page shows your model in the colour you choose, so you can compare before you send the request. The swatches show the choice, not an exact filament colour match.
Do you print flexible materials like TPU?
Not at the moment. TPU and other flexible or speciality materials are not offered.
Related pages
Have a model, or just an idea?
Upload your 3D model for a free quotation, or message us on WhatsApp and we can design the part with you first.