Not sure what you need? Use this as a guide — or ask me and I'll recommend the right choice for your project and budget.
Pick what you're making and I'll point you straight to the right material.
What are you making?
90% of projects are covered by one of these. Pick the one that fits your brief — or ask me and I'll tell you straight.
Pricing from £8 for ready-to-print files · See full pricing →
The go-to for prototypes, display models, and cosmetic parts. Easy to print and available in virtually every colour. If you don't have a specific requirement, start here.
Print in PLAStrong, slightly flexible, and moisture-resistant. The right choice for functional enclosures, replacement parts, and anything that'll see regular use or water exposure.
Print in PETGFlexible like rubber, tough enough for real use. Perfect for gaskets, grips, cable protectors, wearables, and any part that needs to flex without breaking.
Print in TPUAt-a-glance ratings across the properties that matter most. ● Excellent ◕ Good ◑ Moderate ◔ Limited ○ Poor
| Material | Strength | Flexibility | Heat Resist. | UV Resist. | Ease of Print | Detail / Finish | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | ◑ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ● | ● | £ | Display, prototypes, low-stress parts |
| PLA+ | ◕ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ● | ● | £ | General-purpose everyday prints |
| PETG | ◕ | ◑ | ◑ | ◑ | ◕ | ◕ | £ | Functional parts, food-safe containers |
| PETG-CF | ● | ○ | ◑ | ◑ | ◕ | ◑ | ££ | Stiff structural parts, brackets |
| ABS | ◕ | ◑ | ◕ | ◑ | ◕ | ◕ | £ | Enclosures, automotive, smoothable |
| ASA | ◕ | ◑ | ◕ | ● | ◕ | ◕ | ££ | Outdoor parts, UV exposure |
| Nylon PA12 | ● | ◕ | ◕ | ◑ | ◑ | ◑ | ££ | Gears, snap-fits, fatigue resistance |
| PC | ● | ◑ | ● | ◑ | ○ | ◑ | £££ | High-stress structural parts |
| TPU 95A | ◑ | ● | ◑ | ◑ | ◑ | ◑ | ££ | Gaskets, grips, flexible parts |
| TPU 85A | ○ | ● | ◑ | ◑ | ◑ | ◑ | ££ | Wearables, very soft flex parts |
| PLA-CF | ◕ | ○ | ○ | ◑ | ◕ | ◑ | ££ | Lightweight rigid display/drone parts |
| Metal-Fill | ◑ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ● | ◕ | £££ | Decorative metal-look pieces |
| Wood-Fill | ◑ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ● | ◕ | ££ | Natural wood aesthetic props |
| Silk PLA | ◑ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ● | ● | ££ | High-gloss display / figurines |
| Glow in Dark | ◑ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ● | ◕ | ££ | Props, cosplay, night-time display |
| Transparent | ◑ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ● | ◕ | £ | Light diffusers, display objects |
| Holographic | ◑ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ● | ● | ££ | Eye-catching display, trophies, art |
| Cost guide: £ = under £1/10g · ££ = £1–2/10g · £££ = £2+/10g · Ratings are qualitative and print-setting dependent. Ask for a recommendation. | ||||||||
Every material currently in stock, grouped by type.
The go-to for prototypes, display models, and cosmetic parts. Easy to print and available in virtually every colour. Good starting point if you're not sure what you need.
A tougher version of standard PLA. Good default for most jobs — brackets, cases, and parts that need a bit more impact resistance. I recommend this for most general enquiries.
Strong, slightly flexible, and moisture-resistant. Good choice for functional enclosures, food-safe containers, and anything that'll see regular handling. Recommended for replacement parts.
PETG stiffened with chopped carbon fibre. Suits brackets, mounts, and housings where a rigid, professional finish matters. Popular for engineering and technical applications.
Heat-resistant and tough. Works well for automotive trim, enclosures, and parts that need to handle temperatures above 60°C. Can be acetone-smoothed for a clean surface finish.
Like ABS but UV-stable. The natural choice for anything going outdoors — garden hardware, weatherproof housings, and automotive exterior parts that see direct sunlight.
Tough and fatigue-resistant with a slight flex. Suits gears, snap-fits, and living hinges — parts that cycle through repeated stress. Often used in mechanical prototypes.
One of the strongest FDM materials available. Good for structural covers, safety guards, and high-stress assemblies. Requires a high-temp printer setup.
Firm but flexible, like a hard rubber. Good for gaskets, grips, cable protectors, and any part that needs to flex without tearing. My recommendation for seals and wearable components.
Softer than 95A — genuinely squishy. Suits wearables, orthotics, soft grips, and cosplay props that need a padded or rubbery feel.
Stiff, lightweight, and sharp-looking with a carbon-weave aesthetic. Popular for drone frames, RC parts, display brackets, and anywhere a premium industrial look is wanted.
PLA with real metal powder — polishable to a genuine metallic sheen or left with a raw cast-metal look. Used for trophies, props, and decorative objects. Not structural.
Sands and stains like real wood. Used for decorative pieces, props, and interior items where a natural material look fits better than plastic.
Ultra-glossy finish straight off the printer — no post-processing needed. Popular for display models, figurines, and cosmetic parts where a polished look matters.
Charges under any light and glows in the dark. Popular for props, cosplay accessories, and decorative pieces with a bit of drama.
Light-transmitting PLA with a frosted finish. Sand it for a near-clear result. Good for diffusers, display cases, and decorative objects where a glass-like look is wanted.
Shifts through rainbow colours in direct light. Purely for visual impact — trophies, art pieces, cosplay accessories, and anything meant to stand out.