Materials for 3D Printing
You do not need to know the acronyms. Tell us what the part has to withstand and we pick the material. If you want to decide yourself, here is the table.
Not Sure Which Material? Answer Four Questions.
A recommendation in ten seconds. Not binding: we check it against your file before the quote.
Which Material Should You Choose for Your Part?
| I need | We recommend |
|---|---|
| The part will be outdoors in the sun | ASA |
| The part will bend or seal | TPU |
| The part touches hot components (over 80 °C) | PA, PC or PA-CF |
| I need a stiff, light part instead of aluminium | PA-CF |
| I want a smooth surface and fine detail | SLA Standard or Tough |
| Visual model, presentation, branded object | PLA or SLA Standard |
| Regular functional indoor part | PETG |
FDM Materials
| Material | Heat resistance | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | 60 °C | visual models, form prototypes, branded objects |
| PETG | 75 °C | functional parts, brackets, enclosures |
| ASA | 95 °C | outdoor parts, UV resistance |
| PA (nylon) | 110 °C | gears, sliding parts, jigs |
| PA-CF | 130 °C | stiff technical parts, aluminium replacement |
| PC | 110 °C | impact- and heat-resistant parts |
| TPU | 60 °C | seals, dampers, protective covers |
Minimum wall thickness: FDM 1.2 mm, SLA 0.6 mm. Typical accuracy: FDM ±0.2 mm, SLA ±0.1 mm. Critical dimensions are calibrated on a sample.
SLA Resins
Standard
detailed visual models, figures, jewellery patterns
Tough
functional prototypes with high detail
Flexible
soft parts, grips
Related Services
- Custom FDM and SLA printing →
We print the chosen material from a single piece.
- Functional parts and jigs →
Where engineering materials make the most sense.
- 3D printing prices →
How material and layer quality change the price.
- 3D printing glossary →
What PA-CF, infill, layer height and other terms mean.
You Might Also Like
All articles →-
Prices and tax
How much does custom 3D printing cost in Slovakia? What makes up the price and how to lower it
What 3D printing costs in Slovakia: price per gram for FDM and SLA, 3D modelling per hour, minimum order, a worked example and what lowers the price.
14 October 2026 · 6 min read
-
Gifts and ideas
A 3D map as a personal gift: ideas for couples, travellers and families
A 3D map as a personalised gift: your own place, route, markers, colour, name and date. Ideas for anniversaries, couples, travellers, cyclists and parents.
7 November 2026 · 6 min read
-
Modelling and file prep
How 3D modelling works: from idea to a print-ready model
How custom 3D modelling works: what to send, how we work together, what it costs and what you receive. The process step by step, with videos from our work.
7 November 2026 · 7 min read
FAQ
Which is the strongest material for 3D printing?
Among common materials, PA-CF (carbon-fibre nylon) for stiffness and PC for impact resistance. For regular indoor functional parts PETG is enough.
Which material survives outdoors in the sun?
ASA. It is UV stable and withstands 95 °C. PLA softens in the sun and PETG yellows over time.
When should I choose SLA over FDM?
When you need fine detail, a smooth surface or ±0.1 mm accuracy: visual prototypes, figures, moulds and fine mechanisms. FDM suits strong and larger parts.
Do you print in ABS?
Instead of ABS we print ASA. It has similar strength and heat resistance but handles UV light and weather better, so it also suits outdoor parts.
What is the difference between FDM and SLA printing?
FDM melts a plastic filament and lays it down in layers of 0.12 to 0.28 mm: parts are tough, larger and cheaper, with visible layers and ±0.2 mm accuracy. SLA cures liquid resin with light in layers of 0.025 to 0.1 mm: the surface is smooth, detail is fine and accuracy is ±0.1 mm, but parts are smaller and more brittle. OutsideDbox runs both technologies and chooses by what the part has to do.
Is FDM or SLA cheaper and faster?
FDM is usually cheaper: the material costs less and less manual work is needed after printing. An SLA part has to be washed, post-cured and cleared of supports, which adds time and cost. At OutsideDbox an FDM part up to 250 mm takes 3 to 5 working days and an SLA part 3 to 6; the exact price for both options comes in a quote within 48 hours.
Send Us Your Brief Today
A file, a sketch, a photo or a description. Within 48 hours you will have a price, a material and a date.
If 3D printing is not the right route for your part, we will say so and point you to CNC, injection moulding or laser cutting.