Filament Guide: PLA vs PETG vs ABS for Figures
PLA, PETG or ABS? Each filament prints differently and suits different jobs. Here's a plain-English guide to choosing the right one for your figures.
Filament choice changes how easy a print is and how it holds up. For display figures the answer is usually simple, but it helps to know why.
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PLA is the easiest filament: it prints cool, barely warps, captures detail well and comes in every color. For desk figures it's the right choice 95% of the time. Downside: it softens in a hot car or sunny window.
PETG — tougher
PETG is stronger and more temperature- and impact-resistant than PLA, and slightly flexible. Great for parts that get handled or stressed. It can string more, so dry filament and tuned retraction matter.
ABS — heat-resistant, demanding
ABS resists heat and is tough, but it warps badly without an enclosure and releases fumes, so it needs ventilation. Only reach for it if a figure genuinely needs heat resistance.
Side by side
| PLA | PETG | ABS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease | Easiest | Moderate | Hardest |
| Detail | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Strength | Low-med | High | High |
| Heat resistance | Low | Medium | High |
| Enclosure | No | Optional | Yes |
Which to pick
Display figures on a shelf? PLA. Something handled or durable? PETG. Needs heat resistance and you have an enclosure? ABS.
Any of these prints our files fine — the STL doesn't care about material. Match the filament to how the figure will be used.
Storing filament so it lasts
Filament absorbs moisture from the air, and wet filament prints badly — stringing, popping and weak layers. Keep spools in a sealed box with desiccant, or a dedicated dry box, especially for PETG which drinks water fastest. If a once-good spool starts misbehaving, drying it for a few hours in a filament dryer usually brings it back.
Beyond the big three
Once you're comfortable, specialty filaments open new looks: silk PLA for a glossy sheen, matte PLA that hides layer lines beautifully on figures, and dual-color or 'gradient' filaments for effects with no AMS. They print much like standard PLA, so they're an easy, fun upgrade for display pieces once your basics are dialled in.
FAQ
What's the best filament for Pokemon figures?
PLA for almost all display figures: easy to print, great detail, huge color range. Use PETG only if the figure will be handled or stressed.
Is PETG better than PLA?
PETG is stronger and more heat-resistant but harder to print and slightly less crisp on fine detail. For shelf figures PLA is usually the better pick.
Why does ABS need an enclosure?
ABS contracts as it cools and warps or cracks in open air. An enclosure keeps temperature stable, and ventilation handles the fumes it releases.
