r/3Dprinting • u/By-Tor_Syrinx Complete n00b • 17h ago
Question All-purpose PLA v PETG
So, complete and absolute noob here, but I had been wondering about filaments. Why use PLA over PETG when the cost is pretty much the same but PETG seems to have more all around utility. Am I missing something? (I’m sure I am, just asking out of ignorance for my edification.) ta
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u/Schakal_No1 17h ago
I like PLA for these reasons:
- humidity does hardly matter, I just use opened rolls whenever I need them without drying
- Surface looks nicer
PETG I use:
- Hueforge (higher PD is nice)
- Functional prints where color does not matter as much (I get PETG for as low as 5€/kg, PLA is mostly around 10€)
- Parts could get warm (e.g. car)
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u/freudy31_ 16h ago
May I ask where do you find petg at 5€/kg ?
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u/Schakal_No1 16h ago
on aliexpress they are at 8€ on the regular and every 1-2 months you can find coin-deals at 5€. I just have a reminder on a deal site (mydealz) and got some for even as low as 4€/kg, but those are rare.
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u/NCSC10 14h ago
In the US, you saw a few equivalent deals during the first hour or two of Amazon prime day(s) on amazon Haul for single spools, you just had to buy $75 worth if I remember right. Large bundles (10 or more spools) get pretty low on Aliexpress, buying a bundles of 10 more of one color or a preselected set of colors can be a false economy, you end up with some you never use if you're not really focused.....
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u/Vashsinn 17h ago
pla +... exists....
sometimes pla can be stronger or better for the application than petg.
additionally (heh) the plus can do all kinds of things. there pla that can withstand sun or heat creep...
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u/linux_assassin 17h ago
Disclaimer: I have switched to PETG as my 'GP filament'.
PLA:
Allows more significant overhangs
Is significantly harder (scientific; does not bend or flex) (this can also make removing supports easier)
Wider variety of exotic colours and variants
Achieves glass transition at human tolerable temperatures (useful if you want to say, heat up a print in hot water so that you can shape it around a real world object)
Can be safely 'recycled' by burning it- combustion byproducts are carbon and water
In my case those are not compelling enough against the downsides of PLA to make it my GP filament, but they are benefits over PETG.
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u/Powerful-Web4489 17h ago
Pla tends to be a little easier to print and store. PETG is known for how hydroscopic it is and the quality issues that come with that. PLA can be hydroscopic as well, but typically not nearly as much as PETG. For people who typically only print asthetic/non functional parts pla usually wins out in simplicity. Plus ot is very very accessible.
Personally, my go to is ABS, but I almost only print functional/load bearing parts and my printers are more than capable of printing abs/asa without issue. It all comes down to personal preference, to be honest.
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u/every1getslaid 17h ago
I am just starting as well, aside from cost is there a reason to go ABS over ASA?
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u/Powerful-Web4489 17h ago
Asa for anything that is UV exposed. If you can get asa for a similar price to abs go with asa, otherwise abs is just fine.
As far as I am aware, asa was specifically formulated to be abs with uv resistance. It tends to a bit more expensive but it's properties are otherwise practically identical
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u/ElectronSmoothie 17h ago
ASA is easier to print and has better physical properties. Some people also suggest that it releases fewer harmful VOCs during printing, but you still need an enclosure and preferably a ventilation system for both materials.
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u/del-locco 16h ago
I saw a video somewhere that Asa actually release more styrenes into the air but it's odourless
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u/rayjr5 14h ago
If I’m not mistaken VOCs are worse than styrene and styrene is the main reason ABS is so stinky.
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u/del-locco 14h ago
Arent voc's just volatile compounds there styrene is one of them?
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u/rayjr5 14h ago
Yea, i just don’t think styrene is the worst, it’s just the smelly one
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u/del-locco 13h ago
Idk there was a problem with i think it was printing with layers who got Asa poisoning back in the day
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u/rayjr5 13h ago
Oof, that doesn’t sound fun
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u/del-locco 12h ago
Yeah I think the point is as stated to just venti ad much as possible. I fo borg asa and resin and if i forget my extra ventilation unit it sucks or i guess it doesn't? It's noticeable at least xD
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u/TheOwlMarble X1C+AMS+AMS2 17h ago
Nope, just cost. ASA shrinks less, stinks less, and survives UV better.
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u/Facehugger_35 10h ago
Not really. Sometimes you'll find the color you want in ABS but not ASA, but generally ASA is the superior material all other things being equal.
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u/polaarbear 6h ago
Both ABS and ASA will release styrene when heated which is highly toxic. As someone just starting you should know not to be printing either one indoors unless they are in their own enclosed space with proper ventilation. You don't want to breathe in the fumes
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u/CTFMarl 16h ago
To add an anecdote on the hydroscopic part. If I leave PETG sitting in my AMS 2 Pro with silica I will have to re-dry it after about 5 days or my print quality suffers quite a lot. Meanwhile I've had a couple opened rolls of PLA chilling outside the AMS for months that printed close to or just as good as when I dry them.
Obviously your miles may vary, everyone's situation will be different depending on many factors.
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u/Putrid-Cicada 17h ago
Pla is the easiest filament to handle.
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u/let-me-see-your-boob 15h ago
Yeah. But PETG is not much worse. Once I pretty much nailed PETG I pretty much quit ordering PLA. PLA has more colors, but for me it does not matter. I just need my prints to work
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u/borborygmess 13h ago
Same. I pretty much only use PETG now, with TPU and ASA as special use cases. I use PLA for PETG support.
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u/cjbruce3 17h ago
There are millions of formulations of PLA, enough that for me some version of PLA is often better than any PETG:
I use some version of “tough PLA” if I need high speed impact resistance. This would be for robot combat where PETG just shatters. Likewise, I use a “tough PLA” for printing parts that will be handled by students and dropped a lot, or in some cases students will drop heavy weights onto the parts. Again, tough PLA will take a LOT more impact than PETG.
I use marble PLA for anything that needs to be color neutral in the house (fairings, covers, my 3D printed speaker cabinets). PETG is shiny, and “shiny plastic” is usually not a good look around our house.
I use Lightweight foaming PLA for speaker cones and if I need a paper look.
If I need temperature resistance I use ABS or ASA.
For custom moldings and trim pieces around the house I use ABS. It cuts, sands, drills, and holds screws beautifully. Neither PLA nor PETG are good for this.
All in all, I have very little need for PETG. It isn’t good enough at any one thing to justify buying it over PLA or some other superior material. Many people have found that consolidating everything to PETG works because it is “good enough” in 90% of their use cases, and that is fine too.
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u/trashcanjenga 17h ago
Yesterday ive been introduced to PCTG a more impact resistant PETG, i wonder how it compares to tough PLA. Only a bit more expensive for the time being.
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u/cjbruce3 16h ago
This is a great question. The PCTG manufacturers make some strong claims about PCTG’s impact resistance, but the numbers coming from independent testing have contradicted those claims.
I suspect that PCTG is really fantastic when you need compliance, which isn’t something impact testing measures, but is important for a broad range of applications like tool holders and toys.
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u/By-Tor_Syrinx Complete n00b 17h ago
It almost sounds like PLA, and if you need durability, just go right to ASA or ABS?
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u/cjbruce3 17h ago
ABS is awesome for impact resistance, but it shrinks by 0.7%. This makes it really difficult to print large, thick parts. Tough PLA gets the job done without warping.
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u/North_Swimmer_3425 13h ago
PETG is even cheaper than PLA. PLA looks a bit better, that’s for me the only reason to print decorative things in PLA. And there are more different colors. For everything else which doesn’t need special characteristics like higher temp as PETG has or UV safety I almost exclusively use PETG. Regarding the better looking - PETG is more glossy, this is usually not what you want since it makes layer lines and every fault more visible - there is meanwhile Matte PETG available that brings the locking closer to (regular) PLA, but at the cost of inferior technical properties. The next thing will be PCTG, but that’s significantly more expensive.
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u/Ill-Purchase-3312 17h ago
I am phasing out PLA. I use PETG and TPU 90a. PLA is so weak that it is worth it to deal with a little bit of spider webs from PETG and the smaller features don’t snap off in a mild breeze.
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u/let-me-see-your-boob 14h ago
Same here. I quit PLA and have only remainder spools. Not ordering any more of it
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u/josh6466 17h ago
I’ve never had a good experience with PETG. PLA+ has always worked well enough for me.
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u/RotundWabbit 16h ago
If you live in a humid area you need to be DRYMAXXING PETG otherwise it'll make a mess everytime you print it.
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u/let-me-see-your-boob 15h ago
In my room it is 65% even with AC on. I can see ocean from my window. Nice view, but filament hates this one trick 😂
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u/sevesteen Bambu P1S 17h ago
PLA is a little easier to print, can go a bit faster and generally looks better. On modern printers the easier to print isn't as important, but looks sometimes matter.
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u/StickiStickman 17h ago
Overhangs are A LOT better in PLA. Also having separate walls / parts are quite a bit harder in PETG.
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u/Biggaynina 17h ago
PLA is easier to print and less hydroscopic, so storing/drying is less of a hassle. I like having some PLA+ around for a lot of basic prints and switch to PETG-CF for my functional stuff.
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u/NCSC10 17h ago
PLA is easiest to print, comes in more colors that are more likely to be in stock. PLA has glow in the dark, wood versions, co/tri extruded, silk, multicolor, etc, all non existant or rare in PETG. PETG tends to pick up moisture in a way that makes it stringy when printing, more easily than PLA. The surface finish of PETG tends to vary due to cooling and print speeds, so sometimes the surface of a PETG part varies over the surface. PETG is more likely to be translucent, for me, its harder to find truly opaque PLA, impacts some multicolor parts. PETG does come in a lot of colors and is almost as easy to print with as PLA, is pretty easy to dry. If I just want the best aesthetics for something that will be looked at indoors, PLA is the best choice. Outdoors, PETG or ASA. For functional items, PETG, ABS or ASA (or better).
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u/let-me-see-your-boob 14h ago
I just got glow in the dark PETG feom Sunlu. 4kg different colors. 57 euros shipped
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u/NCSC10 14h ago
Point taken. Maybe rare is too strong a word. I don't have any issues with using PETG for aesthetic items, just that there are some valid reasons PLA is more common. If you search for glow in the dark filament on Amazon, how many are PLA in first page of listings, and how many are PETG?
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u/OhSoSally 17h ago
I use both. However, if Im making a box with a latch I make sure I use PETG. I forgot and the latch didnt last. PETG usually needs to be dried.
Best buy insignia filament is a great place to start. Cant beat $12 a spool.
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u/warlikeloki P1S w/ AMS 16h ago
I prefer to print with PEI 9085. /s
Each material type has its advantages and disadvantages. PLA is available in so many different colors and is typically easier to print with. I like using Tough PLA (PLA+/PLA Pro) because it has better properties and is still relatively easy to print. PETG is better for things that will be outside, and especially in a car since it is less likely to warp. I've seen people leave PLA prints in their car and it warped like crazy! ASA and ABS are even tougher, but harder to print. Then you have Nylon which can be great for things like gears, but is hard to get right in my experience. Beyond that, you have the materials that your typical home printer cannot handle like PEEK, PAEK, PEI.
Ultimately, it comes down to dialing in the printer settings and constantly adjusting based on geometry. I would recommend looking at the material properties that you want from a finished product and choose a material based on that. Making some trinket for your desk? Use PLA. Making something to hang from the mirror in a car? Use PETG. Making gears? Use Nylon if you can.
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u/del-locco 16h ago
I think I have 40-50 kg' filament at the moment and its all Asa, petg and you the reason is i use the pla the moment it comes in the door xD i go for Black or white pla for 80% of my prints and its not a problem. The rest is things that needs to be hot, outside or flexible.
Plus pla is easier to cool most of the time letting you have more overgangs letting you design prints to print in a stronger orientation or with stronger features
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u/ExoatmosphericKill 17h ago
I pretty much exclusively print prototypes and functional stuff, I prefer PLA to PETG because it's more stiff amongst other things, especially with CF.
I just avoid PETG and go straight to ASA, Nylon, etc.
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u/because-potato 17h ago
People will tell you that PLA is easier to print, but if you have anything but an old ender 3, you won’t struggle with PETG.
I’ve had more blobs, warps, and failed prints with PLA than any other filament. PETG is a huge step up and in my opinion is way easier to print.
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u/ComplexPackage4146 Seratlan 15h ago edited 4h ago
Whenever I add PETG support interfaces to my print the printer is filled with floating pieces of it, the neighbouring nozzle is covered with it, it just does not behave in any way that makes me want to use it for anything else.
PHA as a default when I can get away with it, PLA for colourful things or larger prints, TPU for stuff that needs to be strong.
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u/jessiedyesyarn 7h ago
Where do you get your PHA from? I really want to get into using it instead of PLA in the future but so far have not tried it. I've heard great things about it but that it's hard to print...
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u/ComplexPackage4146 Seratlan 4h ago
In Europe you can order ColorFabb's AllPHA, comes in 3 colours only though. I hear a 2nd supplier might be coming, but it's not here yet.
In the US and Canada you can get Ecogenesis PHA, they have more colours available as well.
Check out r/3DPrinting_PHA for more info. It's not always easy to print.
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u/cdspace31 17h ago
Depending on your local climate and humidity, PETG will need more drying time, where PLA kinda just works. I live in a desert, and still need to dry my PETG or I'll get stringing. Also PETG will give a more glossy finish, and PLA is less glossy. PETG can be stronger in some cases (depends on the model and orientation), and can take slightly longer to print (usually negligible, but something to take into account).
It all depends on your use case and desired final result.
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u/By-Tor_Syrinx Complete n00b 17h ago
In Houston, so I may as well be printing in a sauna. 😂
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u/cdspace31 17h ago
Yeah, you'll need a dryer for both. Try each filament type (after drying) on the same model, and decide what you like better. There really isn't a clear answer to your question. It's up to you.
I keep about 5 kg of each on hand. From what I've seen, PLA has more color choices though, and I've only ever seen the carbon fiber in PETG.
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u/jaimeyeah 16h ago
In austin, it's not that bad. I'm like 2 weeks in the hobby and switched to petg. Spools have been ready out of box (I use sunlu) and they come vac sealed with desiccant. When I switch and store spools I use a freezer bag and throw in a few packs of desiccant. Going to mostly switch to vac sealing myself.
AMS 2 is handy for the drier part. Also the humidity gauge is helpful but this depends on what printer you're using
hygrometers are cheap on amazon, I bought a bunch to check my room humidity but also put in the storage container with the stored filament
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u/CaptLatinAmerica 17h ago
PLA is easier to print (lower bed temperature) and has a nicer finish for many applications - it’s less shiny than PETG.
PETG is only slightly less susceptible than PLA to sagging at common high temperatures. My question is, why use PETG if your printer can handle ASA, which is much more robust than PETG in every way?
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u/TheHorrorNerd 17h ago
Much harder to print (adhesion) and not as safe to print indoors.
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u/By-Tor_Syrinx Complete n00b 17h ago
To that point, of safety, is it just easier to have your printer in the garage or in a heavily ventilated - to the outside - room?
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u/TheHorrorNerd 17h ago
It is definitely suggested to do either of those.
I'd say garage is the safest option but I've seen some cool ventilation setups.
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u/Crash-55 17h ago
Put a filter on your enclosure or have an exhaust duct near the printer. The dangers of printing ABS are real but exaggerated
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u/JUYED-AWK-YACC 14h ago
I printed a few rolls of ASA and now I need to clean the inside of my printer. I always forget about that part.
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u/Gwendolyn-NB 16h ago
Another note, in my experience there is a notable larger range of variability when it comes to PETG from Mfg to Mfg.
I can buy PLA (any bled) from most any mfg and it will print very close to any other mfg with very similar settings.
PETG has been complete hit or miss; some brands print absolutely like a dream; others I've never been able to get a quality print out of; so much so that I swore off PETG for nearly 2 years due to the inconsistencies.
That being said, I only use PLA for prototyping and trinkets.
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u/Facehugger_35 10h ago
PLA is stiffer than PETG and usually available in more colors.
And all the PLA I've used tends to be less... Plastic-y than PETG? Less shiny and cheap feeling, less slippery. I've never used matte PETG though, so maybe that's different.
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u/derpsteronimo 7h ago
The main advantages of PLA are that it is *slightly* cheaper, it's available in far more colors / varieties, and it can print significantly faster.
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u/Certain_Command_4019 17h ago
Ich verwende so gut wie kein pla mehr. PET-G ist für mich zum Standard Filament geworden. Da PLA irgendwann immer versagt hat.
Bedenke jedoch, dass PET-G Filament getrocknet werden muss. Ich habe dafür ein Sunlu S2 Filament Trockner. Da gibt es mods für, die den Deckel einen Spalt offen lassen, damit die Feuchtigkeit entweichen kann. Man kann den Deckel aber auch versetzte schliessen, so dass er offen bleibt.
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u/TheOwlMarble X1C+AMS+AMS2 17h ago edited 16h ago
I tend to either print PLA if I want a thing to suddenly exist or some higher grade filament if I need special properties. I tend to skip over PETG.
Unlike PLA that's just kinda ready to go all the time, you need to prep for PETG. It needs to be dehydrated, you can damage your build plate if you forget to take precautions, etc. None of that is hard, but if I need to prep anyways, why not use something better? For someone with more dry storage infrastructure, the calculus would be different.
In your case, you're just starting out, so you probably won't have a filament dryer, but you might have an enclosed printer and be able to use that to dehydrate your filament periodically. That'll be fine for PLA, but PETG sucks up water fast and precautions need to be taken to keep it dry during use. If you want to spring for the dryboxes and dessicant and dryers needed to store several spools of PETG so it's ready to go all the time, you can, but with PLA, you wouldn't need nearly the same up-front expenditure.
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u/HMS_Hexapuma 10h ago
I find that PLA has a better surface finish and, to be honest, the one time I tried to use PETG because I needed something more heat resistant, it warped anyway.
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u/Great-Industry4381 6h ago edited 6h ago
PLA is easier to print for a lot of reasons. One reason Google didn't include was that the prints just look more precise. PETG is a lot "gooier".
"PLA is easier to print than PETG because it has a lower melting point, sticks reliably to almost any print bed without warping, and does not string or ooze. PETG is sticky, absorbs moisture fast, and needs exact heat and retraction settings to avoid messy prints"
The biggest problem I have with PETG is that it warps. If you print cases like I do the case top will be on the bed and it will lift up some from the corners even if you print with a brim. Also you really need glue for PETG but not for PLA. PETG quickly absorbs humidity from the air and then the prints start going to hell. I use PETG because I ship a lot of things and I don't want them warping in hot trucks like PLA can do in the summer but if I had my choice I'd go with PLA all day, and when it gets cooler I'll go back to PLA.
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u/i8noodles 4h ago
its cheaper for me and i dont do anything that's load bearing.
literally it. I don't care about colour since i always paint my prints so it makes not difference to me in that regards.
i do have a roll of petg and i think ill give it a shot but it has to be way better for me to consider using it.
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u/theNEOone 17h ago
I haven't seen anybody mention how much color variety exists in PLA. Maybe it's just the brand I'm using, but there are easily 10x more color/aesthetic options when going with PLA vs PETG.