Materials We Print

At 3DChum, material choice impacts strength, heat resistance, durability, surface finish, and cost. Below is a practical guide to choosing the best option for your part.

If you want the default: PLA
If it will see heat / outdoors / moisture: PETG
If it needs higher strength / impact resistance: ABS

PLA (Standard)

Best for: prototypes, desk accessories, low-stress brackets, fit checks
Pros: clean prints, sharp detail, cost-effective, fast
Tradeoffs: lower heat resistance; not ideal for hot cars or near engines

Choose PLA when: you want the cleanest look and your part won’t be heat-stressed.

PETG (Heat & Moisture Resistant)

Best for: mounts, automotive interior, outdoor use, functional parts
Pros: stronger than PLA, better heat and moisture resistance, less brittle
Tradeoffs: can show more stringing; finish can be slightly glossier

Choose PETG when: the part must survive heat, sun, humidity, or daily wear.

ABS (High Strength)

Best for: durable functional parts, impact resistance, long-life brackets
Pros: strong, tough, good for more demanding use cases
Tradeoffs: surface finish can vary; printing requires careful conditions

Choose ABS when: you need durability and impact resistance.

FAQ

Q: What material is best for car parts or mounts?
A: PETG is usually the best starting point for interior mounts and brackets; ABS can work for more demanding durability needs.

Q: What’s the best material for cosmetics and clean detail?
A: PLA typically gives the cleanest detail and finish.

Q: Can you tell me what to pick?
A: Yes—upload the design, tell us the use case, and we’ll recommend the best material.