# PLA vs PETG: which plastic to choose

PLA and PETG suit almost every 3D print. Here is how they differ in strength, heat, weather, flexibility, finish and price, and how to pick one.

## The short answer

Choose PLA when the part will sit on a shelf or a desk, needs crisp detail and will never get hot. Choose PETG when the part will be handled, dropped, left in a warm place or used outdoors. If you are unsure, PETG is the more forgiving choice for functional parts, and PLA is the more precise choice for display pieces.

Both are common, well understood filaments. The differences below come from the plastics themselves, not from the machine.

## Strength and toughness

PLA is stiff and strong in a straight pull, but it is also brittle. When it fails, it tends to snap cleanly rather than bend first. That is fine for a model, a stand or an organiser tray, and a poor fit for a clip, a hook or a latch that is flexed again and again.

PETG is slightly less stiff but noticeably tougher. It bends a little before it breaks and it absorbs knocks better, which is why it is the usual choice for brackets, covers, enclosures and anything that may be dropped. Layers also tend to bond well in PETG, so printed parts are less likely to split along the layer lines.

## Heat resistance

This is the difference that surprises people most. PLA starts to soften at around 55 to 60 °C. A part left on a car dashboard or on a sunny balcony in a Spanish summer can warp, and a part near a hot lamp or a heater can sag.

PETG holds its shape from about 70 °C up to somewhere near 80 °C. That is not high by engineering standards, but it is enough for most indoor uses, provided it stays in a shaded car interior, not on a dashboard or rear shelf in summer sun. If your part needs to stay stiff above about 80 °C, neither material is the right one, and it is worth writing to us before ordering.

## Outdoor use, UV and water

PLA is a poor choice for permanent outdoor use. Heat is the main problem, and over a long time moisture and sunlight also take their toll. PETG generally lasts longer outside, resists water well and tolerates many household chemicals and cleaning products better than PLA.

No 3D printed plastic is permanent under strong sun. Colours can fade and the surface can become chalky after a long exposure. For a planter, a garden label or a sensor housing in shade, PETG is a sensible pick. For something that will face direct sun for years, expect to replace it eventually.

## Food contact

We do not describe printed parts as food safe, and you should not assume they are. The plastic itself may be a food-grade type, but a 3D print is not just plastic. Colourants and additives are generally not certified for food use, and we do not certify our prints, and the surface is made of tiny layers where residue and bacteria can collect and are hard to clean. A dishwasher can also exceed what PLA can take.

For decorative items, or storage that never touches food directly, the risk is lower, but it is still your decision. If food safety matters, use a product made and certified for that purpose.

## Flexibility and finish

Neither material is flexible in the rubber sense. PETG has a little give in thin walls and can act as a light spring or a snap fit. PLA does not. If you need a truly soft, bendy part such as a seal or a grip, that is a different material altogether.

On the surface, PLA gives sharper edges, finer text and cleaner small details. It is also easier to sand and paint. PETG has a slightly glossier, smoother feel, but it can show fine strings or small blemishes on intricate shapes and is harder to sand because it gums up rather than turning to dust. Both are available in several finishes; see our guide to matte, glossy and translucent options for the details.

## Price

The two plastics are usually in the same price range, and the difference is rarely the deciding factor. What changes the price of a print far more is its size, its print time, supports and how many copies you order. The quote calculator shows the price for a given material straight away, so the easiest way to compare is to upload your file and switch between PLA and PETG.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Stiffness | PLA is stiffer; PETG is slightly more flexible |
| Toughness | PETG is tougher; PLA is more brittle |
| Heat | PLA softens around 55 to 60 °C; PETG from about 70 °C |
| Outdoor | PETG is better; neither lasts forever in strong sun |
| Detail | PLA is crisper on fine detail and text |
| Sanding and painting | Easier with PLA |
| Food contact | Not claimed as food safe for either |
| Price | Usually similar; the calculator shows both |

## A simple rule of thumb

- Display models, prototypes of shape, gifts, desk accessories: PLA.
- Brackets, housings, clips, covers, workshop tools: PETG.
- Anything that may get warm, wet or be dropped: PETG.
- Parts that need very fine detail or painting: PLA.

In the quote calculator you can choose PLA Basic and PLA Matte, or PETG Basic, PETG HF, PETG Matte and PETG Translucent.

**Get an exact price in PLA or PETG**

Upload your model to the quote calculator, pick a material and see the price for both before you decide.

[Get a quote](https://nori3d.com/en/quote/)