Home/PLA vs PETG
Side-by-side · manufacturer-sourced
PLA vs PETG — settings & when to use which
A side-by-side of recommended print settings and practical trade-offs between PLA (Polylactic Acid) and PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol), from the manufacturer data this site is built on.
| PLA | PETG | |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temp | 180–230°C | 220–260°C |
| Bed temp | 25–65°C | 55–90°C |
| Enclosure | Not needed | Helpful |
| Part cooling | high | low |
| Moisture sensitivity | low | medium |
| Heat resistance | Low | Moderate |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column
- Prototypes and visual models
- Toys, figurines, miniatures
- Indoor display pieces
- Anything where heat resistance does not matter
- Functional/mechanical parts
- Outdoor parts (better UV/weather than PLA)
- Food-adjacent and watertight prints
- Brackets, fixtures, enclosures
FAQ
Should I print in PLA or PETG?
PLA: The default beginner filament: prints cool, almost no warping, no enclosure needed. PETG: The practical step up from PLA: tougher, more temperature- and chemical-resistant, and still printable without an enclosure. In short, PLA runs cooler (180–230 °C, no enclosure needed) and PETG runs hotter (220–260 °C, enclosure helpful).
Is PETG stronger than PLA?
PLA heat resistance: Low. Glass transition ~55–60 °C; unmodified PLA parts deform in a hot car or direct summer sun. PETG heat resistance: Moderate. Glass transition ~75–80 °C — handles a warm car better than PLA but is not for high heat.