From the Maker’s Bench
Insights from our network of 3d print operators and designers.
The short answer: choose PLA for display pieces, models and prototypes, PETG for parts that get used, ASA for anything that lives outside, and TPU when the part needs to bend. Reach for the High Grade materials (nylon, polycarbonate and the carbon-fiber blends) only when a part has to be unusually strong, stiff or heat-resistant.
You pick the material in the Select Material step when you order a print. Materials sit on two tabs, Standard and High Grade, and each card shows its price per gram.
| Material | Tab | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Standard | Display pieces, models, prototypes, gifts | Softens in heat, like a hot car; can snap rather than bend |
| PETG | Standard | Everyday functional parts: brackets, mounts, enclosures | Slightly glossy finish; less crisp on fine detail than PLA |
| ABS | Standard | Tough parts that see heat or knocks | Not made for long sun exposure; ASA is the outdoor version |
| ASA | Standard | Outdoor parts: garden, car exterior, signs | Matte finish; costs more than PLA |
| TPU (95A) | Standard | Flexible parts: seals, gaskets, bumpers, straps | Bends by design, so not for rigid parts; fine detail is harder |
| Nylon | High Grade | Wear parts: gears, hinges, clips | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Nylon - Carbon Fiber | High Grade | Strong, heat-resistant functional parts | Matte, slightly rough finish; 6 colors |
| Polycarbonate | High Grade | Parts that must be very strong and handle high heat | 5 colors |
| Polycarbonate - Carbon Fiber | High Grade | The stiffest, most heat-resistant option | 6 colors |
| PLA - Carbon Fiber | High Grade | Stiff, light parts with a clean matte look | Still PLA underneath, so it softens in heat like PLA |
PLA is the most common 3D printing material and the lowest-cost one on Intagly. It prints sharp detail and clean surfaces in every color, which makes it the right choice for models, figurines, cosplay pieces, prototypes and gifts. Its weak spot is heat: leave a PLA part in a hot car or a sunny window and it can warp. It is also more brittle than PETG, so thin clips and snap fits can crack.
PETG is what to choose for parts that get used. The app describes it as durable and heat resistant, and it is tougher than PLA: it flexes a little before it breaks, shrugs off water, and holds up better in warm places. Good for brackets, mounts, cases, organizers and anything screwed together.
ABS is impact resistant and tough, with high temperature tolerance. It’s a good fit for parts that get knocked around or sit near heat, such as car interior pieces or tool holders. For parts that stay outdoors, choose ASA instead.
ASA is close to ABS but made to resist UV light, so it keeps its color and strength in the sun. Pick it for anything that lives outside: garden fittings, exterior car parts, outdoor signs and mounts.
TPU (95A) is flexible and rubber-like. 95A is a firm flex, like a phone case or a shoe sole. Use it for seals, gaskets, bumpers, feet, straps and parts that need to absorb impact. Don’t pick it for parts that have to stay rigid.
High Grade materials cost more per gram. Pick them when a Standard material isn’t strong, stiff or heat-resistant enough for the job.
Nylon is extremely tough and a little flexible, with high wear and temperature resistance. It suits moving and rubbing parts: gears, hinges, clips and bushings. Nylon absorbs moisture from the air over time, which can change its feel slightly.
Nylon - Carbon Fiber adds carbon fiber to nylon for high impact and temperature resistance with good stiffness. A strong choice for functional parts like brackets, jigs and drone or RC parts.
Polycarbonate is incredibly strong and rigid, with the best heat resistance of the plain materials. Use it when a part has to take real load or heat.
Polycarbonate - Carbon Fiber reinforces polycarbonate with carbon fiber for the most rigidity and heat resistance on the list, and parts that hold their shape and size well.
PLA - Carbon Fiber blends PLA with carbon fiber for a stiffer part with a clean matte finish that stays light. It’s a good upgrade from PLA for stiff display parts and light functional parts, but it handles heat like regular PLA.
Most materials come in 19 colors, from black, white and the primary colors to metallic tones (bronze, copper, silver, gold) and Transparent. The carbon-fiber materials come in 6 colors (black, gray, red, blue, green and purple) and polycarbonate in 5 (black, gray, white, red and blue). The order page only shows colors the material comes in.
Choosing Transparent fixes the print at 100% infill and 0.12 mm layers, so it comes out as clear as possible. Expect a frosted look rather than glass-clear.
Nothing on this list is certified food safe as ordered, so don’t use printed parts for food or drink contact.
If you can’t decide, describe the part in Additional Instructions when you order, or chat with a 3D engineer before you order.
For stiffness and heat, Polycarbonate - Carbon Fiber, then Polycarbonate and Nylon - Carbon Fiber. For toughness against wear and impact, Nylon.
PLA. Each material card shows its price per gram.
ASA, because it resists UV light.
TPU (95A). Nylon flexes slightly but isn’t rubbery.
Yes, choose Transparent. It prints at 100% infill and fine layers, and looks frosted rather than glass-clear.
Not as ordered. Don’t use printed parts for food or drink contact.