Materials and finish
start with the job,
not the plastic
A display model and an outdoor bracket ask completely different things of a material. You do not need to study any of this before getting in touch — tell us where the piece will live and what it has to survive, and the recommendation comes back with the quote.
Reference guide — broad trade-offs, not a datasheet
| Option | Strength | Detail | Heat | Weather | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA Everyday plastic, excellent detail | 2/5 | 4/5 | 1/5 | 1/5 | Display models, detailed prints, indoor signs, gifts and trophies |
| PETG Tough, slightly flexible | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | Functional brackets, enclosures, clips, jigs and light outdoor parts |
| ABS / ASA Tough and weatherproof | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Outdoor mounts, structural housings and high-impact replacement parts |
| Tough resin The finest detail we can hold | 3/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | Intricate assemblies, detailed gears, miniatures and cosmetic masters |
| Laser work Engraved and cut sheet materials | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | Engraved plaques, tags, awards, branded cards and craft-cut acrylic |
Ratings are guidance, not a specification. They compare options against each other for everyday work. If a part has a real engineering requirement, it is outside what we take on — see the limits below.
Not sure? Say where the piece will be used, how it will be handled and whether it lives indoors or out. That answers the material question faster than any table can.
not sure which
you need?
Send a photo, a file, or two sentences. We will tell you how we would make it, what it will cost, and when you would get it.