PLA vs PETG: which material to choose for your part
PLA vs PETG is the most common choice in 3D printing. PLA is more accurate and enough for most things indoors, while PETG is tougher, withstands more heat and also suits outdoor use.
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Contents
The quick answer
If the part will sit in a flat, on a shelf or on a desk and does not have to carry much, choose PLA. If it is going outdoors, near heat, into damp conditions or will be under load, choose PETG. When in doubt, PETG is the safer choice and costs you almost nothing extra.
Comparison table
| PLA | PETG | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | stiff but brittle, cracks on impact | tough, more likely to bend than break |
| Heat resistance | softens above roughly 60 °C | withstands up to roughly 80 °C |
| Outdoor use | unsuitable, the sun damages it | suitable for most outdoor use |
| Surface and detail | smooth surface, sharp detail | glossier surface, less sharp detail |
| Food contact | no certificate, not recommended | no certificate, not recommended |
| Material price | €8 per kg | €9 per kg |
The temperature figures come from the guides for PLA and for PETG from Prusa Research. How well a part holds up in reality also depends on its shape, wall thickness and infill.
Why neither is for food
PET is a common packaging material, and PLA is often described as harmless too. The problem is that a 3D print is built from layers, and bacteria hide in the grooves between them and cannot be washed out properly. The Prusa Research article on food-safe printing goes into this as well.
We have no food-contact certificate, so we do not recommend either material for bowls, moulds or cups.
The price difference is usually small
PETG costs €9 per kilogram and PLA €8. An ordinary holder or small box weighs tens of grams, so the difference per piece is usually a few cents. We work out the price from the real grams and print time, so when you switch the material in the calculator you see the exact difference straight away.
The strength you choose, that is, the infill of 10, 15 or 40%, usually has a bigger effect on the price than the material itself.
Common questions
Which material is stronger?
It depends what you mean by strength. PLA is stiffer and bends less under a light load, but it cracks on impact. PETG flexes and is harder to break, so it is better for parts that carry something or take a knock.
How much more expensive is PETG?
The material costs €1 more per kilogram. On an ordinary part that makes a difference of a few cents, and the calculator shows the exact amount.
What if the part is going to sit in direct sun all year?
PETG holds up outdoors in most cases. For very demanding outdoor parts ASA is used. We do not print it at the moment, but you can write to us.
Related terms
PLA
PLA (polylactic acid) is the most common 3D printing material, made from plant starch. It is cheap, accurate and easy to print, but it does not withstand heat above about 60 °C or long exposure to sun.
PETG
PETG is a tough 3D printing plastic, a close relative of the material in PET bottles. Compared with PLA it withstands more heat, impact and moisture, so it suits technical parts and outdoor use.
Filament
Filament is a thin plastic strand wound on a spool, which an FDM 3D printer melts and layers into a part. The type of plastic decides the part's strength, heat resistance and price.
ASA
ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) is an engineering plastic for 3D printing that withstands UV radiation, rain and heat well. It is used mainly for parts that have to last a long time outdoors.
Infill
Infill is the sparse lattice that fills the inside of a part in 3D printing. It is given as a percentage, and the higher it is, the stronger, heavier and dearer the part.
SourcesSources checked 1 November 2026, 3
- PLA, Prusa Research, checked 2026-11-01
- PETG, Prusa Research, checked 2026-11-01
- Food safe FDM printing, Prusa Research, checked 2026-11-01
We will print it for you
Upload a model and see the price per piece, the total with shipping and the date at once. We print in Košice, Slovakia, from PLA and PETG.
No model? No problem, pick a ready one
These sites have thousands of free models. Download an STL or 3MF and upload it here. If you sell it or use it for business, check the model licence. How to pick a model and licence