PLA vs PETG: which fidget plastic is right for you?
A short, plain-English guide to the two plastics we print most.
We get this question a lot: why is one fidget printed in PLA and another in PETG? Here's the short version, with no chemistry degree required.
PLA — the everyday default
Most of what we sell is printed in PLA. It's plant-based (corn starch, usually), low odor, and excellent at holding fine detail. If a fidget is going to live on a desk, in a pocket, or in a backpack at room temperature — PLA is the right pick.
The catch: PLA softens around 60°C / 140°F. That sounds high, but the inside of a parked car in July can hit it. So PLA is a poor pick for anything that's going to bake.
PETG — for heat and sunlight
When we know a part is going to live somewhere warm or in direct sun, we print it in PETG. It's chemically related to the plastic in disposable water bottles, and it can take a lot more heat before it deforms. It's also a little bouncier — better at flexing without snapping.
The catch: PETG isn't quite as crisp on small details, and it costs us a little more per gram, which is why we don't use it for everything.
TL;DR
| Use case | Pick |
|---|---|
| Desk fidgets, pocket toys | PLA |
| Car-mounted parts, sunny windows | PETG |
| Things that need to flex | TPU |
| Anything you'd put in a dishwasher | Neither — sorry. |
If you have a specific environment in mind, mention it in the contact form when you order and we'll match the plastic to the job.