Begin with conditions, not a colour
What temperature will the part encounter? Does it need to flex? Is surface detail important? Will it contact another component or sit outdoors? Those questions help narrow the material discussion before appearance is considered.
FDM and resin printing are confirmed services. The examples below explain possible material families. They are not a list of materials available to order. Exact grades, colours and production options need confirmation for your part.
Filament families: a starting point
| Family | Useful conversation | What still needs checking |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | Form, appearance and concept models | Heat, impact and actual use conditions |
| PETG | Some practical-part applications | Specific grade, geometry and required performance |
| ASA / ABS | Thermal or environmental requirements | Actual grade and printing constraints; ASA and ABS are not interchangeable |
| Flexible grades, including TPU | Bending or compliance | Hardness, geometry and the required movement |
| PA, PC and filled materials | More specific mechanical or environmental requirements | Processing, moisture, orientation and grade-specific data |
The Prusa filament guide provides manufacturer education across these families. The PLA, PETG and ASA guides give further context. Their printer recommendations and material figures are not Leicester service specifications.
Resin formulations differ too
Resin families can be developed for appearance, toughness, flexibility or specialist uses. Availability and suitability need to be established for the exact formulation. A general label such as “tough resin” does not replace its technical data or an application assessment.
Formlabs’ process comparison and post-curing guide explain why process and finishing matter. They do not mean that Leicester uses that manufacturer’s machines or stocks its resins.
Options for your quotation
The final quote should name the confirmed material and options, linked to the intended use. Tell us about loads, heat, outdoor conditions, flexibility and important surfaces. No numerical tolerance, safety-critical, food-contact or medical suitability is inferred from a family name.