PETG vs PLA: the difference explained

PETG and PLA side by side

These are the general properties of both materials. They vary a little by type and brand of filament.

Is PETG stronger than PLA?

That depends on what you mean by strong. PLA is stiffer: a PLA bar bends less easily. But PLA is also brittle. If it takes a knock or has to flex a little, it breaks sooner, and often without you seeing it coming. PETG gives a little, absorbs a blow better and does not splinter. For clips, hooks, holders and parts you use every day, that usually matters more than stiffness.

How strong a print ends up is not down to the material alone. The walls, the infill and the direction in which it was printed count as well. How that works is explained in how 3D printing works.

Heat: PLA softens sooner

PLA softens at temperatures you rarely reach indoors, but easily reach in a car in the summer sun. A PLA print on the dashboard can therefore deform. PETG handles heat better, which makes it the logical choice for something in the car or next to a device that gets warm. PETG has its limit too: it is not suitable for parts that are constantly very hot.

Is PETG suitable for outdoor use?

PLA is not made for outdoor use. Moisture and sunlight make it brittle over time and fade the colour. PETG handles moisture and rain better and lasts considerably longer outdoors. For a clip, holder or bracket in the garden or on the balcony, PETG is therefore a common choice. If something has to stand in full sun for years, ASA is often recommended in the 3D printing world; we do not print that. Not sure? Tell us in your request where the print will go, and we will think along with you.

Downsides of PETG

PETG is not the best at everything. It is less stiff than PLA, so a long, thin bar bends sooner. Fine details come out slightly less crisp. It is not suitable for soft, rubbery parts such as a grip or a damper. And if you print yourself, you will notice that PETG is harder: it needs a higher temperature and easily leaves thin strings between separate parts. That last point need not worry you with us: we check every print during and after printing for layer adhesion, dimensions and finish.

When is PLA fine?

For a decorative model that stays indoors, does not get warm and is not handled often, the material makes little difference. If you print yourself, PLA is a fine and easy choice for that. If you have it printed by us, it will be PETG, at the same price per gram in every colour.

One material, one price

For us, PETG strikes the best balance of strength, finish and price. We work with one material, so there is one price: € 0.19 per gram, with a minimum of € 8.00 per order, the same for every colour. We keep 47 colours in stock. So you do not have to choose between materials: a figure for the shelf and a clip for the car are printed in the same material. Which colours we have and what else PETG can do is explained under PETG printing.

Frequently asked questions about PETG and PLA

What is PETG, exactly?

PETG is a plastic from the same family as PET, the material of many plastic bottles. The G stands for glycol-modified: during production part of the raw material is replaced by another glycol. That makes PETG less brittle and easier to process than ordinary PET. For 3D printing it comes on a spool, as a thin strand: the filament.

Can I have something printed in PLA with you?

No. We print in PETG only, decorative prints included.

Can I have a model meant for PLA printed in PETG?

Usually, yes. An STL file contains only the shape, not the material, and we print a 3MF in PETG too. Every model goes through the slicer first; if we see that a detail will not come out cleanly in PETG, we let you know before we start printing.

What does a print in PETG cost?

€ 0.19 per gram, with a minimum of € 8.00 per order, VAT included and with no set-up costs; shipping is added if you do not collect your print. Drop your STL file into the price calculator for an estimate. How the price is built up is explained on what 3D printing costs.