OutsideDbox
Guide

Materials

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.

Free and with no obligation. We reply within 48 hours on working days.

A spool of orange filament on a 3D printer
The material decides what the part can withstand Photo: Jakub Żerdzicki, Unsplash
Material picker

Not sure which material? Answer four questions.

A recommendation in ten seconds. Not binding: we check it against your file before the quote.

Where will the part live?
What matters most?
How big is it?
How many?

Which material should you choose for your part?

I needWe recommend
The part will be outdoors in the sunASA
The part will bend or sealTPU
The part touches hot components (over 80 °C)PA, PC or PA-CF
I need a stiff, light part instead of aluminiumPA-CF
I want a smooth surface and fine detailSLA Standard or Tough
Visual model, presentation, branded objectPLA or SLA Standard
Regular functional indoor partPETG

FDM materials

Material Standard 0.2 mm Fine 0.12 mm Heat resistance Typical use
PLA [to be confirmed] €/g [to be confirmed] €/g 60 °C visual models, form prototypes, branded objects
PETG [to be confirmed] €/g [to be confirmed] €/g 75 °C functional parts, brackets, enclosures
ASA [to be confirmed] €/g [to be confirmed] €/g 95 °C outdoor parts, UV resistance
PA (nylon) [to be confirmed] €/g [to be confirmed] €/g 110 °C gears, sliding parts, jigs
PA-CF [to be confirmed] €/g [to be confirmed] €/g 130 °C stiff technical parts, aluminium replacement
PC [to be confirmed] €/g [to be confirmed] €/g 110 °C impact- and heat-resistant parts
TPU [to be confirmed] €/g [to be confirmed] €/g 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

What we print on

PrinterTechnologyBuild volumeUnits
[to be confirmed]FDM[to be confirmed] mm[to be confirmed]
[to be confirmed]SLA[to be confirmed] mm[to be confirmed]

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.

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.