PLA vs PETG: which plastic is best for toys?
PLA is the best plastic for detailed, colorful prints kept indoors, and PETG is better for items that get dropped, bent or left in a hot car. That is the short answer. Here is why.
PLA
PLA stands for polylactic acid. It is made from plant starches like corn or sugarcane, it prints easily at around 190 to 220 degrees Celsius, and it comes in the most colors, including silk and glitter styles. It is stiff and shows sharp detail, which makes it great for name signs, pen holders and gear fidgets. Its weakness is heat: PLA can start to soften around 55 to 60 degrees Celsius, so a PLA toy left on a car dashboard in summer can warp.
PETG
PETG is a cousin of the plastic used in water bottles. It prints a little hotter, bends before it breaks and handles outdoor heat better than PLA. That is why we use it for whistles, keychains and cable clips that live in backpacks and pockets.
Quick comparison
- Easiest to print: PLA
- Toughest when dropped: PETG
- Best in heat: PETG
- Most color choices: PLA
Either way, 3D printed items are not dishwasher safe and should not be used for food or put in the mouth, except whistles made for that job, which should be washed by hand.
PLA vs PETG side by side
| PLA | PETG | |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Plant starch such as corn or sugarcane | A glycol-modified version of PET, the plastic in water bottles |
| Detail and colours | Crisp detail, the widest colour range | Good detail, slightly glossier |
| Toughness | Stiff, can snap if bent hard | Bends before it breaks |
| Heat | Softens around 60 C (140 F) | Handles more heat, softens around 75 to 80 C |
| Ease of printing | Easiest | A little stringier |
| Best for | Display pieces, detailed toys, indoor use | Whistles, keychains, things that get dropped or carried |
PLA vs PETG for toys
For toys, the two questions are how rough the toy will be treated and how hot it might get. A display dragon on a shelf is happiest in PLA. A keychain or a whistle that lives in a pocket or a bag is happier in PETG. Neither is food safe or dishwasher safe just because it is a plastic.
PET vs PETG: what is the G?
PETG is PET with glycol added. The glycol makes the plastic clearer, less brittle and easier to print. It is not the same as plain PET, which is hard to print at home.