Guides

If you've been printing with PLA but need something tougher—or if you've avoided ABS because of warping and fumes—PETG might be exactly what you're looking for. This glycol-modified version of PET combines the best traits of both worlds: it's almost as easy to print as PLA, but delivers the durability and heat resistance that functional parts demand.

Here's a practical guide to when and how to use regular PETG and its transparent cousin.

Regular PETG: Built for Function

Regular PETG is the go-to filament when your part needs to survive real-world use.

When to Choose Regular PETG

Functional parts that get handled are where PETG truly shines. It bends rather than snaps under stress, making it far more impact-resistant than PLA. This makes it ideal for:

• Brackets, mounts, and fixtures that hold things in place

• Workshop jigs and tooling that see repeated use

• Protective covers and guards for equipment

• Enclosures and housings that need moderate heat resistance

When you need better temperature tolerance, PETG outperforms PLA (which softens around 60°C) by standing up to about 80°C before deforming. It also resists moisture, oils, and many household chemicals better than PLA.

When you want to avoid ABS headaches, PETG offers similar durability with much less warping—and it prints safely without harmful fumes.

What to Watch Out For

PETG is more prone to stringing and oozing than PLA. The fix? Keep your filament dry—moisture is the #1 cause of stringing and surface defects. Also, PETG can stick too well to print beds; use a release layer like glue stick to avoid damaging your build surface.