For AI agents: Materialize has an MCP server at /api/mcp and a plain-text guide to using it at /llms.txt. Read /llms.txt first. It covers uploading a model, checking it will print, choosing a material, getting a quote and ordering.

Print
Material
PLA

PLA

Standard Plastics
Visual

PLA (polylactic acid) is a thermoplastic derived from renewable resources like corn starch, which sets it apart from most other common 3D printing plastics, which are petroleum-based. It is notably rigid, with tensile strength that holds up well under static loads and excellent dimensional accuracy, but it's also brittle. It tends to crack or snap rather than bend under sudden stress or impact, and it softens once temperatures climb past roughly 50-60 °C. PLA is a good choice for prototypes, display models, and low-stress mechanical parts like jigs or fixtures.

Print with PLA
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength26.8–70 MPa
Tensile modulus1817–3973 MPa
Elongation1.9–20 %
Flexural strength46.2–88 MPa
Flexural modulus2461–3800 MPa
Density1.24 g/cm³
Thermal
Heat deflection at 66 PSI50–55 °C
Print Constraints

Maximum build volume

1200 × 1350 × 1200 mm

Min wall thickness1 mm
Min detail size0.8 mm
Default layer height0.2 mm
Default infill20%
Min embossing0.6 mm
Min engraving0.6 mm
Accuracy± 0.3 mm
Warping riskOver_140_mm
Interlocking partsSupported

Available finishes

Each finish can be combined with the available colors at checkout.

Standard

Standard

137 colors

The standard (as-printed) finish on FDM parts shows the natural texture of layer-by-layer printing. The visibility of the layer lines depends on part geometry and orientation, plus light marks where support material was removed.

Sanded

Sanded

136 colors

The sanded finish on FDM parts reduces the visibility of layer lines compared to the standard finish, though some surface texture generally remains. How much smoothness is achieved can vary depending on the material.

All materials