The material you need
Mechanical strength, flexibility, impact resistance, thermal stability, or aesthetic finish: each project demands specific properties. We guide you to the most suitable material for your needs, without unnecessary jargon.
PLA
PLA (polylactic acid) offers a smooth, clean visual finish with a wide range of colors. It is ideal for aesthetic prototypes, decorative objects, models, and parts that are not subject to high mechanical stress or prolonged exposure to heat or UV rays. It is not suitable for outdoor use, functional parts exposed to impacts, or environments exceeding 50°C.
ABS
ABS is a technical plastic known for its impact resistance and good temperature stability. It is found in many everyday objects: interior automotive parts, appliance housings, toys (such as LEGO bricks). It withstands environments up to approximately 90°C. It is not suitable for food contact use, nor for prolonged exposure to UV rays without protective treatment.
TPU
TPU is a flexible filament valued for its ability to absorb shocks and vibrations. Its flexibility varies according to its hardness, measured on the Shore scale: there are very soft TPUs as well as stiffer ones, allowing flexibility to be adapted to the project’s needs. It is used in protective cases, shoe soles, gaskets, wristbands, or drone parts. It is not suitable for parts that must remain perfectly rigid or be exposed to temperatures above 60°C.
PETG
PETG is a versatile filament that offers good impact resistance and excellent layer adhesion. It has slight flexibility before breaking. It is used in functional parts, mechanical protections, containers, or fastening elements. It resists chemicals better than PLA. It is not suitable for use at very high temperatures above 70-75°C.
ASA
ASA is a technical filament designed to withstand outdoor conditions. It resists UV rays, weather, and temperature variations without degrading or yellowing, unlike other plastics. It is used in outdoor automotive parts, sensor enclosures, signs, or any object intended to remain outside for extended periods. It withstands up to approximately 95°C. It is not suitable for applications requiring flexibility or food contact.
Why Choosing the Right Material Is Essential in 3D Printing
When undertaking a 3D printing project, design is certainly important. But what truly ensures that your part will perform its function over time is, above all, the material used. Too often, this choice is treated as secondary, when in reality it should be a top priority. Why? Because each material has its own properties, advantages, limitations, and most importantly, recommended uses.
Whether you’re creating an everyday object, a technical part, a decorative accessory, or an outdoor component, the right filament can make all the difference between a successful project and an unusable part.
Common mistakes... and their consequences
Case 1: The wall mount in PLA
A client wanted a small wall hook to hang items in a kitchen. They chose a PLA filament, attracted by its clean appearance. But just days after installation, the hook deformed and broke.
Why?
Because PLA, although rigid, cannot withstand heavy loads or the ambient heat of a kitchen.
The right choice would have been a PETG filament or a reinforced polymer, capable of resisting heat and mechanical stresses.
In the following photos, the PLA part on the left shows heat-induced deformations, while the PETG one on the right remained intact under the same conditions.
Raw parts straight from the build plate
Case 2: The drawer handle in ABS
A client ordered a custom drawer handle for a workshop. The design is robust, and the print was done in ABS, known for its strength. But after a few weeks, the handle became smooth, slippery, and slightly sticky to the touch.
Why?
Because although ABS is impact-resistant, it reacts poorly to certain environments: solvents present in the workshop and prolonged exposure to UV rays degraded it.
The right choice would have been: an ASA filament, designed to resist chemical attacks and UV rays, ideal for technical or outdoor use.
In the following photos, the ABS part on the left shows heat-induced deformation, while the ASA part on the right remained intact under the same conditions.
Raw parts straight from the build plate
At Drükfab, we fully understand that choosing the right material is not always straightforward. Each use comes with its own constraints: heat, humidity, mechanical stress, outdoor exposure… That’s why we support our clients in making this choice by offering the solution best suited to their actual needs. Our role is to guide you toward the best option, combining performance, durability, and aesthetics.