Quick Material Selection by Use Case

The most common beginner mistake is printing everything from PLA. Use this cheat sheet:

🟢 PLA • Decorations, organizers, prototypes • Pro: easy to print • Con: lower heat resistance

🔵 PETG • Practical parts, brackets, workshop, occasional outdoor • Pro: more durable and tougher • Con: more stringing

🟠 ASA/ABS • Outdoor parts, heat-resistant parts, automotive • Pro: higher heat resistance • Con: needs enclosure and better ventilation

🟣 TPU • Flexible parts, feet, gaskets, grips • Pro: flexibility • Con: slower printing

🔴 Resin • Miniatures, very fine details • Pro: highest detail • Con: chemicals, post-processing, safety

💡 Quick rule: • Not sure? Start with PLA • Want a functional part? PETG • Outdoor or heat? ASA • Miniature details? Resin