Materials, finishes, and performance
Materials we print (and what they’re best for)
Select a material based on real-world requirements: strength, heat resistance, flexibility, surface finish, and dimensional stability. If you’re unsure, upload your file and tell us what the part must do — we’ll recommend the best option.
PLA — fast, accurate prototypes
Best for concept models, jigs, fixtures, and low-load parts where dimensional accuracy matters most. PLA prints cleanly with sharp detail and predictable tolerances, making it ideal for rapid iteration and proof-of-fit work.
Not suitable for high temperatures or impact-critical applications.
PETG — tough, flexible, practical
A strong all-rounder for functional parts. PETG offers better impact resistance and flexibility than PLA, with improved durability in real-world use.
Well suited to brackets, housings, light-duty mechanical parts, and outdoor applications where heat exposure is moderate.
Heat-resistant, impact-capable
Used where higher temperature resistance and toughness are required. ABS is suitable for enclosures, structural components, and parts exposed to mechanical stress.
Best for internal or controlled environments where long-term strength and heat tolerance matter more than surface finish.
Durable, wear-resistant engineering plastic
Designed for mechanically demanding parts. Nylon offers excellent strength, fatigue resistance, and low friction, making it suitable for gears, bushings, clips, and moving components.
Chosen where long-term durability and functional performance are critical.
High-stiffness, performance-focused
Carbon-reinforced material for parts that must be rigid, stable, and dimensionally consistent under load. Ideal for performance-critical components, fixtures, and structural parts where flex must be minimised.
Used when standard plastics are not stiff enough for the application.
Application-specific filaments
Includes wood-filled, flexible (TPU), high-temperature, and other specialist filaments selected based on application requirements.
Used for visual finishes, unique material properties, or non-standard performance needs. Availability and suitability are assessed per project.
Material selection help
Pick the right material for your job
Every filament behaves differently. We quote by material, print profile, and part requirements — so you get predictable outcomes across one-offs and repeat runs. Use the guide below to choose a material, or upload your model and we’ll advise.
Typical outputs: enclosures, mounts, brackets, fixtures, ducting, cable management, tooling, prototypes, and small-batch functional parts.
Engineering-grade options
ABS, Nylon, and carbon-filled materials
For parts that must survive heat, vibration, and real use, engineering filaments outperform PLA/PETG. If you need higher stiffness, better wear, or improved dimensional stability, carbon-filled materials are often the best step up.
Accurate. Repeatable. Production-ready.
Materials FAQ
No. PLA degrades with UV exposure and heat and is not recommended outdoors.
Nylon absorbs moisture over time, which can slightly affect dimensions and stiffness.
No. The fibres increase stiffness, not conductivity.
No. PLA softens at relatively low temperatures (around 55–60 °C). It is not suitable for hot environments, car interiors, or near motors.
Nylon requires design allowances but can produce reliable functional parts when designed correctly.
Yes. They are abrasive and require hardened nozzles.
PLA offers excellent dimensional accuracy and is ideal when tight tolerances and sharp detail are required.
Yes. Nylon’s wear resistance makes it excellent for moving or sliding components.
Yes. Carbon-filled prints have a matte, technical finish and slightly reduced fine detail.
PLA is moisture-resistant but not waterproof over long periods.
ABS is used for enclosures, brackets, housings, clips, and parts exposed to moderate heat.
Specialist filaments include materials such as wood-filled, metal-filled, flexible blends, and aesthetic composites. These are typically chosen for visual, tactile, or niche functional requirements rather than pure mechanical strength.
Yes. PLA can be sanded, filled, primed, and painted easily.
Yes. ABS handles higher temperatures than PLA and PETG.
Flexible parts such as gaskets, seals, vibration dampers, protective covers, and flexible mounts.
PETG is ideal for functional parts that need toughness, slight flexibility, and better environmental resistance than PLA.
Not ideal. ABS degrades under UV unless coated or painted.
TPU ranges from rubber-like to semi-rigid depending on formulation.
PETG is tougher and more impact-resistant but slightly less stiff than PLA.
PETG performs better than PLA but is not a high-temperature material. It is suitable for warm environments but not extreme heat.
ABS can warp during printing, especially on large flat parts. Proper design and controlled printing are important.
Yes. PETG has good UV and moisture resistance, making it suitable for outdoor and semi-outdoor parts.
ABS is accurate but slightly less dimensionally stable than PLA.
Decorative parts, display models, and aesthetic components.
Yes. If you’re unsure, we can recommend a material based on load, temperature, environment, and how the part will be used.
Yes. PETG has some flexibility, which helps absorb impact and reduces cracking.
Yes. ABS sands well and can be chemically smoothed for a glossy finish.
Yes. They have a natural wood-like texture and appearance.
Start with how the part will be used: load, heat, environment, and appearance.
PETG is accurate but slightly less dimensionally stable than PLA. Tolerances should allow small variation.
Carbon-filled filament is stiffer and more dimensionally stable than standard plastics, but it can be more brittle. It is ideal where rigidity matters more than impact resistance.
No. They are for visual or light-duty use only.
Yes. This is common during prototyping.
Yes, though it is harder to sand cleanly than PLA.
Carbon-filled filaments are used for parts requiring increased stiffness, dimensional stability, and reduced flex. They are commonly chosen for brackets, housings, jigs, and performance-critical components.
No. They are plastic with metal powder for weight and appearance.
Yes. We review use-case, geometry, and environment before printing.
Nylon is ideal for functional, mechanical parts such as gears, hinges, bushings, brackets, and wear components.
Carbon-filled materials are reinforced with carbon fibres to increase stiffness and dimensional stability.
Display parts, visual prototypes, and weighted components.
No. Material choice affects lifespan, performance, and repeatability.
Yes. Nylon offers higher toughness and fatigue resistance.
Jigs, fixtures, brackets, tooling, and structural prototypes requiring rigidity.
No. Strength is similar to standard plastics.
PLA is best for prototypes, visual models, jigs, fixtures, and parts where dimensional accuracy and surface finish matter more than heat or impact resistance.
Yes. Nylon has natural flexibility, making it resistant to cracking.
They are stiffer but not more impact-resistant. Carbon improves rigidity, not toughness.
PLA is stiff but brittle. It works for light-duty functional parts but is not suitable for impact, flexing, or load-bearing applications.
Yes. Nylon performs well at higher temperatures than PLA or PETG.
Very little. They are designed to resist bending.
Nylon is ideal for functional, mechanical parts such as gears, hinges, bushings, brackets, and wear components.
Yes. Nylon offers higher toughness and fatigue resistance.
Yes. Nylon has natural flexibility, making it resistant to cracking.
Yes. Nylon performs well at higher temperatures than PLA or PETG.
Nylon absorbs moisture over time, which can slightly affect dimensions and stiffness.
Nylon requires design allowances but can produce reliable functional parts when designed correctly.
Yes. Nylon’s wear resistance makes it excellent for moving or sliding components.
Carbon-filled filament is stiffer and more dimensionally stable than standard plastics, but it can be more brittle. It is ideal where rigidity matters more than impact resistance.
Carbon-filled filaments are used for parts requiring increased stiffness, dimensional stability, and reduced flex. They are commonly chosen for brackets, housings, jigs, and performance-critical components.
PETG is ideal for functional parts that need toughness, slight flexibility, and better environmental resistance than PLA.
Carbon-filled materials are reinforced with carbon fibres to increase stiffness and dimensional stability.
PETG is tougher and more impact-resistant but slightly less stiff than PLA.
Jigs, fixtures, brackets, tooling, and structural prototypes requiring rigidity.
PETG performs better than PLA but is not a high-temperature material. It is suitable for warm environments but not extreme heat.
They are stiffer but not more impact-resistant. Carbon improves rigidity, not toughness.
Yes. PETG has good UV and moisture resistance, making it suitable for outdoor and semi-outdoor parts.
Very little. They are designed to resist bending.
Yes. PETG has some flexibility, which helps absorb impact and reduces cracking.
No. The fibres increase stiffness, not conductivity.
PETG is accurate but slightly less dimensionally stable than PLA. Tolerances should allow small variation.
Yes. They are abrasive and require hardened nozzles.
Yes, though it is harder to sand cleanly than PLA.
Yes. Carbon-filled prints have a matte, technical finish and slightly reduced fine detail.
ABS is used for enclosures, brackets, housings, clips, and parts exposed to moderate heat.
Display parts, visual prototypes, and weighted components.
Yes. ABS handles higher temperatures than PLA and PETG.
No. Strength is similar to standard plastics.
Not ideal. ABS degrades under UV unless coated or painted.
ABS can warp during printing, especially on large flat parts. Proper design and controlled printing are important.
ABS is accurate but slightly less dimensionally stable than PLA.
Yes. ABS sands well and can be chemically smoothed for a glossy finish.
Specialist filaments include materials such as wood-filled, metal-filled, flexible blends, and aesthetic composites. These are typically chosen for visual, tactile, or niche functional requirements rather than pure mechanical strength.
Flexible parts such as gaskets, seals, vibration dampers, protective covers, and flexible mounts.
PLA is best for prototypes, visual models, jigs, fixtures, and parts where dimensional accuracy and surface finish matter more than heat or impact resistance.
TPU ranges from rubber-like to semi-rigid depending on formulation.
PLA is stiff but brittle. It works for light-duty functional parts but is not suitable for impact, flexing, or load-bearing applications.
No. PLA degrades with UV exposure and heat and is not recommended outdoors.
No. PLA softens at relatively low temperatures (around 55–60 °C). It is not suitable for hot environments, car interiors, or near motors.
Decorative parts, display models, and aesthetic components.
PLA offers excellent dimensional accuracy and is ideal when tight tolerances and sharp detail are required.
Yes. They have a natural wood-like texture and appearance.
PLA is moisture-resistant but not waterproof over long periods.
No. They are for visual or light-duty use only.
Yes. PLA can be sanded, filled, primed, and painted easily.
No. They are plastic with metal powder for weight and appearance.
Accurate. Repeatable. Production-ready.
what people are saying
Feedback from customers choosing materials for performance-critical parts.
Edinburgh Banners handled the full CAD design and prototyping of a custom reeler system for a racing yacht. Initial prototypes were printed in PLA to validate geometry, followed by carbon-filled prints for strength testing. The final designs were then used to produce moulds, with no dimensional issues between prototype and production.
Project Lead — High-Performance Racing Yacht
We needed custom electrical enclosures and connector housings for a high-performance racing car, with tight space constraints and heat considerations. The parts were printed accurately first time, fitted exactly as intended, and held up under testing. Being able to iterate quickly without tooling saved significant time on the install.
Robert Dryden – Motorsport / electrical enclosures
