Every piece we print is made in one of two materials: PLA Matte or PETG. Most of our designs let you choose, so it helps to know what each one is good at. The short version: PLA Matte looks best, PETG lasts longest in tough conditions.
What is PLA?
PLA (polylactic acid) is the most widely used 3D printing material. It’s made from plant starches such as corn or sugarcane, prints with sharp detail and comes in a huge range of colours. We use a matte PLA, which hides layer lines well and gives prints a soft, almost ceramic look.
PLA is rigid rather than bendy, so it suits pieces that hold their shape: vases, planters, desk organisers, signs and figurines. It’s often described as biodegradable, but that only happens in industrial composting facilities, not in a backyard compost or in landfill.
What is PETG?
PETG is a close relative of PET, the plastic used for drink bottles, with glycol added to make it less brittle. It’s tougher than PLA, has a little flex before it breaks, and resists heat, moisture, chemicals and UV light better.
The trade-off is finish. PETG has a slight sheen and doesn’t show fine detail quite as crisply as matte PLA. For anything that gets dropped, clipped onto a bag or left outdoors, that’s a trade worth making.
PLA vs PETG at a glance
- Finish: PLA Matte is soft and matte; PETG has a slight gloss.
- Detail: PLA is crisper; PETG is very good but slightly softer on fine text.
- Toughness: PETG is more impact resistant and bends a little before breaking; PLA is stiffer and can snap under a sharp knock.
- Heat: PLA starts to soften at around 55–60 °C; PETG holds its shape to about 80 °C.
- Sun and outdoors: PETG handles UV and weather better; PLA can fade and turn brittle outside over time.
Which should you choose?
Choose PLA Matte for:
- Vases, planters and décor that live indoors
- Desk organisers, phone stands and bookmarks
- Gifts where the finish matters most
Choose PETG for:
- Keyrings and bag tags that get handled every day
- Signs or tags that will live outside, or near a window in full sun
- Anything that might be left in a car
Why heat matters in Australia
On a hot day the inside of a parked car can get far hotter than the air outside, easily past the point where PLA starts to soften. A PLA keyring on a dashboard or a PLA phone stand on the back shelf can slowly warp. If a piece is going to live in a car or in direct summer sun, choose PETG.
Still not sure?
Tell us what the piece is for when you order a personalised design, or get in touch before you buy. We’re happy to recommend the right material. You can compare the options on any product in the shop.
