PLA vs PETG vs ABS — which one should you sell?

Your filament choice moves four things that matter to your bottom line: cost per kg, failure rate, print speed and perceived value to the customer. This post compares the three most-used filaments on the market and shows when each one is worth the trouble.

PLA — the industry default

Polylactic acid. The most-used filament in the world, for good reason: prints easy, barely smells, holds up fine in a temperate environment, and has the best aesthetic finish of the three.

Properties:

• Print temp: 190–220 °C
• Bed temp: 50–60 °C (no heated bed needed for small parts)
• Mechanical strength: medium
• Heat resistance: low (deforms at 50–60 °C — sun in a car will ruin it)

Average price: $20–25/kg in the US, €18–22 in Europe.

When to use:

• Décor, miniatures, vases, toys, organizers
• Parts living in a controlled environment
• When you need smooth finish and consistent color

When NOT to use:

• Parts in direct sun or inside a car
• Parts under significant mechanical load
• Functional parts that will heat up (motor mounts, electronics surrounds)

PETG — the "stronger PLA"

Polyethylene terephthalate glycol. Same polymer as soda bottles. The middle option: easier than ABS, tougher than PLA.

Properties:

• Print temp: 230–250 °C
• Bed temp: 70–80 °C (heated bed required)
• Mechanical strength: good
• Heat resistance: medium (deforms around 80 °C)
• Flexibility: slight (impact-resistant compared to PLA)

Average price: $24–28/kg in the US, €22–26 in Europe. ~25% more than PLA.

When to use:

• Light functional parts (boxes, brackets, hooks)
• Parts that will see sun or moderate heat
• Kitchen parts (PETG is food-safe if your printer is clean)
• Parts where transparency matters (PETG is naturally translucent)

When NOT to use:

• Thin decorative parts (PETG strings more between details)
• When you need PLA's glossy smooth finish

ABS — the "industrial" filament

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Same plastic as Lego bricks, helmets, automotive trim. Strong, but a pain to print.

Properties:

• Print temp: 230–260 °C
• Bed temp: 100–110 °C
• Requires an enclosed chamber (without it, warping is basically guaranteed on large parts)
• Mechanical strength: high
• Heat resistance: high (holds at 90–100 °C without deforming)
• Emits VOCs during printing — don't print in a closed bedroom

Average price: $22–26/kg in the US, €20–24 in Europe. Similar price to PLA but with more failures.

When to use:

• Functional parts under mechanical stress
• Parts in direct sun or outdoor heat (car, exterior)
• Parts that need acetone post-processing (sanding is hard; acetone vapor smoothing gives a glossy finish)

When NOT to use:

• Your printer is open-frame (Ender 3 without enclosure will struggle)
• You don't have adequate ventilation
• The customer will use the part with food (ABS is NOT food-safe)

ASA — "ABS but for outdoor use"

Same family as ABS, with much better UV resistance. Holds up in direct sun without yellowing. Same printing difficulty, similar price (~$30/kg). Use it for garden furniture, outdoor brackets, anything mounted on a sunny wall.

TPU — the flexible one

Thermoplastic elastomer. Not "rigid vs flexible like PLA" — actual rubber. Prints slowly (~30 mm/s vs 100 mm/s for PLA) and costs more ($35+/kg). Use it for cases, gaskets, parts that need to flex.

Quick comparison table

	PLA	PETG	ABS
Ease of printing	★★★★★	★★★★	★★
Mechanical strength	★★	★★★★	★★★★★
Heat resistance (°C)	50–60	75–80	90–100
Enclosed chamber?	No	Recommended	Required
Relative price	1×	1.25×	1.15×
Typical failure rate	3–5%	5–8%	10–15%

How this hits the part price

The same 50 g part changes cost depending on the filament:

PLA  $22/kg → 0.050 × 22 = $1.10
PETG $25/kg → 0.050 × 25 = $1.25
ABS  $22/kg → 0.050 × 22 = $1.10
TPU  $35/kg → 0.050 × 35 = $1.75

But filament cost is only part of the picture. ABS has a higher failure rate — that extra 10% wasted in real production adds up. PETG prints slower (slower layers to avoid stringing). Factor all of it into your math.

Practical recommendation

• Starting out: PLA only. Minimal learning curve. Use it until you've mastered the printer.
• Selling décor/miniatures: PLA + occasionally PLA+ or Silk for premium parts.
• Selling functional parts: PETG as default. ABS only when heat resistance is needed.
• Outdoor market (garden, balcony): ASA.
• Flexible functional market (cases, gaskets, soles): TPU.

Price each material in one click

PrintCalc ships with presets for PLA, PLA+, PETG, ABS, TPU, ASA and Nylon at current market average prices, auto-converted to your currency via today's exchange rate. Pick the type from the dropdown and the per-kg cost auto-fills — only adjust if your brand differs.

Open the calculator →