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3D Printing BasicsBeginner7 min read
Choosing the right material
PLA vs PETG vs TPU vs resin, and when each one wins.

Material choice decides how a part looks, feels, and survives. PLA is cheap, crisp, and great for models and prototypes. PETG is tougher and handles heat and moisture better, so it suits functional parts.
TPU is flexible, ideal for grips, gaskets, and anything that needs to bend. Resin gives the finest detail for miniatures and jewelry-scale work, at the cost of more finishing effort.
When in doubt, tell us what the part has to do and where it lives. We match the material to the job so you are not paying for strength you do not need.
Next lesson
Modeling parts that actually print
Tolerances, wall thickness, and designing around supports.
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