3D materials guide
Which 3D printing material to choose for your project?
The complete guide to find your match in 2 minutes by use case: mechanical part, decor, UV exposure, flexible, food-contact. Eight materials we actually print at the studio.
Use-case decider
By use case: which material to choose?
Enter by your need, leave with a material name. Each card proposes a top 3 sorted by fit, with a link to the detail sheet.
Pièce mécanique sollicitée
Engrenage, fixation, support qui encaisse traction et chocs.
Pièce esthétique, déco, prototype visuel
Maquette, déco, prototype présentation client.
Recommandé
Exposée aux UV / extérieur
Pièce de jardin, mobilier extérieur, signalétique en plein soleil.
Recommandé
Souple, flexible, joint
Joint, semelle, coque caoutchouteuse, attache souple.
Recommandé
Contact alimentaire
Moule pâtissier, distributeur sec, ustensile.
Recommandé
Haute température
Capot moteur, pièce sous radiateur, environnement chaud.
Transparente / translucide
Lentille, capot translucide, diffuseur lumineux.
Petite série fonctionnelle
10 à 200 pièces identiques fonctionnelles.
At a glance
Full comparison: 8 materials, 8 criteria
The matrix we use internally when a brief arrives. Mechanical strength, heat, UV, flexibility, food-safety, transparency, print ease, cost — 0-5 rating based on our atelier experience.
| Matériau | Tenue mécaniqueMéca | Résistance chaleurChaleur | Résistance UVUV | SouplesseSouple | Aptitude alimentaireAlim. | TransparenceTrans. | Facilité d'impressionPrint | Coût matièreCoût | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLAimpression 3DFDM | |||||||||
| PETGimpression 3DFDM | |||||||||
| TPUimpression 3DFDM | |||||||||
| ABSimpression 3DFDM | |||||||||
| ASAimpression 3DFDM | |||||||||
| Nylonimpression 3DFDM | |||||||||
| Polycarbonateimpression 3DFDM | |||||||||
| Résine SLAimpression 3DSLA |
Subjective but consistent ratings: we've printed each of these dozens of times. Click a material name for details.
Head-to-head
The classic trade-offs
The four comparisons we get asked about all the time.
PLA vs PETG: which one for you?
Choose PLA for aesthetics and print ease, PETG as soon as the part is mechanically stressed, exposed to moisture or needs to last.
| Critère | PLA impression 3D | PETG impression 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical strength | 2/5· Brittle | 4/5· Tough |
| Heat resistance | 1/5· Sags at 55 °C | 3/5· Holds up to 75 °C |
| Print ease | 5/5· Beginner ideal | 4/5· Also very easy |
| Material cost | 1/5· Cheapest | 1/5· Very affordable |
Verdict : Visual prototype or indoor decor: PLA. Functional part, support, daily object: PETG, our default at the atelier.
ABS vs PETG: the mechanical part
PETG replaces ABS in 90% of cases today: similar mechanical strength, no fumes or warping, better UV resistance.
| Critère | ABS impression 3D | PETG impression 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Heat resistance | 4/5· Up to 95 °C | 3/5· Up to 75 °C |
| UV resistance | 1/5· Poor (yellows) | 3/5· Decent |
| Print ease | 2/5· Hard, enclosure needed | 4/5· Easy, open |
| Workshop safety | 1/5· Emits fumes | 4/5· Neutral |
Verdict : Unless you have a strong heat constraint, go PETG. Above 80 °C continuous, switch to ABS or ASA.
PLA vs SLA resin: aesthetics vs detail
SLA resin wins on detail fineness (figurines, jewelry, micro-mechanics) with unmatched surface quality. PLA wins on cost, speed, mechanical robustness and no post-processing.
| Critère | PLA impression 3D | Résine impression 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Detail fineness | 2/5· Layers visible | 4/5· Nearly invisible |
| Mechanical strength | 2/5· Decent | 3/5· Weak, brittle |
| Cost + post-processing | 1/5· Direct, cheap | 4/5· IPA wash + UV cure |
| Use case | 5/5· Mockup, decor, functional | 2/5· Figurine, jewelry, dental |
Verdict : Architectural mockup, large visual prototype: PLA. Figurine, jewelry, micro-detail part: SLA resin.
PETG vs Nylon: long-term durability
Nylon crushes PETG on fatigue resistance, repeated impacts and abrasion (ideal for gears, hinges, moving mechanisms). PETG wins on print ease, cost and dimensional stability.
| Critère | PETG impression 3D | Nylon impression 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical strength | 4/5· Good | 5/5· Excellent |
| Fatigue resistance | 4/5· Average | 5/5· Top FDM |
| Print ease | 4/5· Very easy | 1/5· Hard (absorbs moisture) |
| Cost | 1/5· Affordable | 4/5· Expensive |
Verdict : Part that rotates, rubs or gets hit all day: Nylon. Everything else: PETG.
From the workshop
A few recent pieces
Real pieces for real clients. Spin them, inspect the material.
FDM
Chef de projet
Pour Romain R. · Avril 2026
FDM
Support bouteille de vin
Pour Marc D. · Avril 2026
FDM
Lampe
Pour David P.
FAQ
Everything you want to know about 3D materials
The questions we get most often, with direct answers.
ASA first (excellent UV resistance), PETG as an economical alternative for moderate exposure. Avoid PLA (yellows in weeks) and standard ABS (cracks).
Ready to start your project?
Get a price estimate in under two minutes.
No file required. Pick technology, material, size and quantity — get an instant range and a detailed quote within 24h.