Which materials warp the most?

As a rule of thumb: the higher the printing temperature and the greater the material shrinkage, the greater the tendency to warp. ABS and ASA need an enclosure, PETG is milder, and PLA warps the least.

Does bed adhesive help?

Yes, adhesion aids (glue sticks, special sprays) improve first-layer adhesion. They are only a supplement, though — the basics are a clean bed, the right temperature and a well-tuned first layer.

Why do large parts warp the most?

Shrinkage grows with part length — the longer the wall, the greater the force pulling the corners upward. For large parts, an enclosure, stable ambient temperature and geometry adjustments (rounded corners, a brim) help the most.

How to choose a filament based on the part's application

The most expensive mistake in 3D printing isn't a failed print — it's a part made from the wrong material that fails in use. This guide will help you decide based on what actually matters when choosing: environment, load and the required lifespan of the part.

Start with four questions

Where will the part operate? Indoors, outdoors, higher temperatures?
What does it need to withstand? Static load, impact, bending, heat?
How should it look? A visual part with fine detail, or a technical surface?
What printer are you using? An open one is fine for PLA/PETG; ABS needs an enclosure.

ABS vs ASA: indoors or outdoors?

ABS is a proven technical material for mechanically and thermally stressed parts — covers, mechanical components, parts near motors and electronics. It does need an enclosed printer, though, and belongs indoors: in sunlight it degrades and yellows over time.

ASA has a similar technical character, but on top of that it resists UV radiation and weathering. Facade brackets, parts for garden equipment, covers for outdoor sensors — ASA is the right choice in all of these cases.

Simplified: ABS for technical parts indoors, ASA for technical parts outdoors.

CF and GF composites: when are they worth it

Filaments reinforced with carbon (CF) or glass (GF) fiber — our 3DFINITY PRO line — bring higher stiffness, dimensional stability and a matte finish. Reinforcement isn't automatically better for everything, though:

composites are stiffer but can be less tough — they behave more brittle under impact
the fibers are abrasive — plan for a hardened nozzle
for visual parts with fine detail, an unreinforced material is usually better

Typical uses for composites: jigs and machine connection parts, brackets under bending load, parts that must hold their dimensions through temperature changes, and technical parts where a matte surface is an advantage.

Quick guide by application

I need…	Recommended material
a model, prototype or decoration	PLA
a standard functional part, bracket or cover	PETG
a technical part for higher temperatures	ABS
an outdoor part exposed to sunlight	ASA
a stiff, dimensionally stable part	PETG-CF / PETG-GF
a stiff outdoor part	ASA-CF

Not sure? Describe your part's application to us via a technical consultation — we'll recommend a material based on environment, load and surface finish.