The short version
If you're just starting out, go with PLA. It's the easiest material to print and has almost no smell. If the part will sit in the sun or near heat, choose PETG. Use ABS only in an enclosed printer with good ventilation.
Comparison table
| Property | PLA | PETG | ABS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 190–220°C | 230–250°C | 230–260°C |
| Bed temperature | 50–60°C | 70–85°C | 95–110°C |
| Heat resistance | ~55°C | ~75°C | ~95°C |
| Printing difficulty | Easy | Medium | Hard |
| Smell | Almost none | Faint | Strong |
| Price, 1 kg | 55–70₾ | 60–80₾ | 55–75₾ |
PLA: for beginners
PLA is a plant-based plastic. It prints at low temperatures, shrinks less, and doesn't need an enclosure. In our junior courses, kids print with PLA only.
Print the first layer at 0.28 mm instead of 0.2 mm and drop the speed to 50%. That fixes about 80% of bed adhesion problems.
PETG: tough and slightly flexible
PETG is stronger and handles heat better. It's ideal for brackets, planters, and car accessories. It's a bit "stringy," so you'll need to tune your retraction settings.
Course at TDS3D Design & 3D Printing6 weeks · 36 h · Starts 29 OctDetailsABS: for engineering parts
ABS is the most heat-resistant of the three, but in a cold room it warps and cracks while printing. You'll need an enclosure and good ventilation, because it gives off a styrene smell as it prints.
How to choose
- The part will stay indoors and won't carry a load: PLA
- The part will live outdoors or in a car: PETG
- The part will sit near a motor or a hot surface: ABS
