Material selection is the single biggest factor in print quality, cost, and customer satisfaction. Offering the wrong materials limits your market. Offering the right ones — with clear descriptions and use cases — builds trust and drives repeat orders.

PLA — The workhorse

Best for: prototypes, decorative parts, low-stress functional items. Biodegradable, easy to print, minimal warping. Cost: €0.02–0.04 per gram. Margin: 200–300%.

PETG — The all-rounder

Best for: functional parts, mechanical brackets, outdoor items. Stronger than PLA, chemical resistant, food-safe options available. Slightly harder to print but worth the effort for durability.

ABS — The heat fighter

Best for: automotive parts, enclosures, high-temperature applications. Requires a heated bed and enclosed chamber. Not beginner-friendly but essential for engineering customers.

Resin — The detail king

Best for: miniatures, jewellery, dental models, highly detailed prototypes. Smooth surface finish, fine features, but requires post-curing and washing. Higher material cost, premium pricing.

Nylon — The durable choice

Best for: gears, bearings, wear-resistant parts. Extremely tough, low friction, absorbs moisture (dry before printing). Premium pricing justified by performance.

TPU — The flexible option

Best for: gaskets, phone cases, flexible hinges. Shore hardness varies (85A to 95A). Tricky to print on Bowden extruders but easy on direct drive. Niche but high-margin.

How to price materials

Set per-gram costs based on your supplier prices, then add machine time and markup. A good rule: 2.5x–4x material cost for PLA/PETG, 3x–5x for ABS/Nylon, 4x–8x for Resin and TPU. Display prices instantly when customers upload files.