Material guide
Here are all the materials you can choose in our price calculator, with what each one is good for. Not sure? Send us your file or idea to info@3dp.lv and we will suggest a material.
Quick choice
| You need | Choose |
|---|---|
| A decorative item for indoors | PLA or PLA Matte / Silk (3D printing) |
| A strong part that may get wet or warm | PETG (3D printing) |
| A part for outdoors or a hot car | ASA (3D printing) |
| Something soft and flexible | TPU (3D printing) |
| A sign, box or décor from a flat sheet | Birch plywood 3–6 mm (laser cutting) |
| A clear acrylic part or cover | Acrylic 5–8 mm (CNC milling) |
| Furniture parts or shelves | Birch plywood 18 mm or MDF 18 mm (CNC milling) |
| A cutting board | Oak panel 20–40 mm or HDPE 10 mm (CNC milling) |
| A name or logo on an existing item | Laser engraving — wood, leather, glass, stone, anodised metal |
3D printing
Up to 4 colours in one part with PLA and PETG. Heat resistance (approximate, softening): PLA from about 55 °C, PETG from about 70 °C, ASA from about 90 °C.
| PLA | Standard, rigid, many colours. Indoor use. |
| PLA Matte / Silk | Decorative finish: matte or silky shine. |
| PLA Wood | Looks and smells like wood. |
| PETG | Tough, slightly flexible, heat and water resistant. |
| ASA / ABS | Outdoor and hot environments, UV resistant. |
| TPU (flexible) | Rubber-like: seals, bumpers, cases. One colour only. |
| PETG-CF / PLA-CF | Carbon-fibre filled: stiff and light, technical parts. |
| Nylon PA (on request) | Very strong and wear-resistant: gears, hinges. |
Laser engraving
We engrave on your item or on a blank from us. Bare steel and stainless steel will be available with our fibre laser.
| Wood / plywood | Dark burnt engraving, very detailed. |
| Leather | Natural leather: tags, wallets, belts. |
| Cork / paper / cardboard | Burnt brown mark, good for packaging and cards. |
| Acrylic / plastic | Frosted white mark on clear acrylic. |
| Glass / ceramics / tiles | Frosted matte engraving. |
| Anodised / painted metal | Colour layer is removed for a bright mark. |
| Stone / slate | Light contrasting engraving on slate. |
| Fabric / denim | Light faded mark on denim and cotton. |
| Bare steel / stainless — soon | Coming with our fibre laser. |
Laser cutting
Sheet up to 381 × 305 mm, wood up to 6 mm. We do not cut PVC — it releases toxic gas.
| Birch plywood 3 mm | Most popular for signs, boxes, décor. |
| Birch plywood 4 mm | Between 3 and 6 mm: boxes and signs. |
| Birch plywood 6 mm | Sturdier parts, puzzles, stands. |
| MDF 3 mm | Smooth, affordable, good for painting. |
| MDF 6 mm | Stiffer parts for painting. |
| Oak veneer plywood 4 mm | Premium look of oak. |
| Solid wood (linden / balsa) 3–5 mm | Light solid wood for models and décor. |
| Acrylic black / dark 3 mm | Opaque dark colours only. Clear acrylic is milled on CNC. |
| Leather 1–3 mm | Natural leather: tags, patches, keychains. |
| Felt 3 mm | Soft inserts, pads, decorations. |
| Cork 2–3 mm | Coasters, boards, pads. |
| EVA foam 3–5 mm | Inserts, cosplay, packaging. |
| Cardboard / paper | Prototypes, packaging, invitations. |
CNC milling
Work area 600 × 400 mm, material up to 150 mm high.
| Birch plywood 12 mm | Lighter furniture parts, boxes, signs. |
| Birch plywood 18 mm | Furniture, shelves, strong parts. |
| Birch plywood 24 mm | Very strong parts, worktops, jigs. |
| MDF 12 mm | Parts for painting, décor. |
| MDF 18 mm | Smooth, for painted furniture and signs. |
| Pine panel 18 mm | Solid softwood: shelves and furniture. |
| Oak panel 20 mm | Solid oak: boards, tabletops, premium items. |
| Oak panel 40 mm | Thick boards and tabletops. |
| HDPE 10 mm | Food-safe plastic, cutting boards, outdoor. |
| PVC foam 10 mm | Light, for signs and displays. |
| Acrylic 5 mm (clear or colour) | Polished edges, signs, covers. |
| Acrylic 8 mm | Thicker signs and displays. |
| Aluminium composite 3 mm | Dibond-type outdoor signs. |
| Aluminium sheet up to 5 mm | Soft alloys, simple 2D parts — confirmed after file check. |
Food contact: 3D-printed parts are not intended for long contact with food. For cutting boards choose oak or HDPE.