PLA / PLA+
The most common and economical material, ideal for indoor objects.
Usages: figurines and decoration, mock-ups and prototypes of form, office supports, keychains, storage, personalized gifts.
- Strong points: very good rendering of details and edges; rigid and precise; multicolor printing possible.
- Limits: softens from 55 to 60 °C; can break clean under strong shock; degrades in prolonged outdoor conditions.
- Colours: white, black, gray, red, blue, green, yellow... and multicolored.
PETG
More resistant to shock and heat than PLA, for functional parts.
Usages: brackets, fasteners, housings, clips that must bend a little without breaking, garage, workshop, sheltered exterior.
- Strong points: better resistant to shocks; holds up to about 75 °C; good moisture resistance; multi-coloured possible.
- Limits: details a little less sharp than PLA; glossy surface that shows small defects.
- Colours: white, black, transparent, gray.
ABS / ASA
For rooms exposed to heat or sun.
Usages: car interior, near an engine or lamp, exterior in full sun (ASA), housings and technical hoods.
- Strong points: holds up to about 95 °C; shock-resistant; ASA does not turn yellow in the sun; pumices and smooths very well.
- Limits: large flat parts can deform slightly; no multicolor printing.
- Colours: white, black, gray.
Flexible TPU
A flexible material, which bends and cushions shocks.
Usages: shells and protections, seals, skids, stops, straps, straps, handles.
- Strong points: bends without breaking; absorbs shock and vibration; very wear-resistant.
- Limits: slow printing; not rigid: not for a piece of structure; no multicolor printing.
- Colours: white, black.
Nylon
The material of the mechanical parts that work and rub.
Usages: gears, pulleys, hinges, clips and bindings, lightweight tooling.
- Strong points: very resistant to wear and fatigue; does not break clean; slides well; holds heat (about 80 °C and more).
- Limits: absorbs moisture: ratings can vary slightly; colours are limited.
- Colours: natural, black.
SLA resin
The highest level of detail, for small pieces and figurines.
Usages: very detailed miniatures and miniatures, busts and collectibles, small precision pieces.
- Strong points: very fine details and textures; smooth surface, ready to paint.
- Limits: more brittle in shock; fears prolonged sun; limited size, no multicolored.
- Colours: grey, white, black.
Carbon fiber and PLA wood / marble
Carbon fiber (CF): very rigid for its weight and stable, with a beautiful matte appearance; ideal for camera or drone mounts, jigs and tooling.
PLA wood / marble: an immediate material aspect and a matte touch for vases, frames and “nature” objects. More fragile than PLA and sensitive to heat like it.
Filling and finishing
When ordering, you also choose:
- filling: light, standard, solid or full, depending on the forces that the part must withstand;
- quality: standard (0.2 mm layers) or fine details (0.12 mm layers, smoother curves);
- finish: print output (removed supports, visible layers), clean finish (deburring, traces of removed supports, light sanding) or paint (priming, sanding and painting in the workshop).
To go further, read the guide Finishes and post-processing.
Frequently asked questions
What material to choose for a room that stays in a car?
ABS / ASA, which holds up to about 95 °C. PLA softens from 55 to 60 °C.
Can I print in several colours?
Yes, in PLA and PETG: the Studio’s 3MF file contains one colour per zone. The other materials are printed in one colour.
What material for a very detailed figurine?
SLA resin gives the highest level of detail; PLA is very suitable for larger or multicolored figures.
Does the price depend on the material?
Yes: the price takes into account the material, volume, printing time and finish. It is displayed TTC before payment.
