PLA vs ABS vs ASA for Outdoor 3D Printing: Which Material Is Best?

Published: July 3, 2026

When shopping for 3D-printed products, most people focus on the design, color, or price. But one of the biggest factors in how long a product lasts is something you may never see—the material it's made from.

At TML Fun Creations, we carefully choose the material based on where the product will be used. If it's designed to live outdoors, we almost always print it using ABS or ASA instead of PLA.

Here's why.

☀️ The Problem with PLA Outdoors

PLA is an excellent material for many indoor projects. It's easy to print, produces beautiful details, and is environmentally friendly under industrial composting conditions.

However, PLA has one major weakness:

Heat.

On a warm summer day, the temperature inside a parked vehicle or on a sunny porch can easily exceed 140°F (60°C). PLA begins to soften at much lower temperatures than ABS or ASA, which can cause it to:

• Warp

• Bend

• Sag

• Lose its shape

• Crack over time

For decorative indoor items, PLA is a great choice. For outdoor products, it simply isn't the best material.

🌦 Why We Choose ABS

ABS has been trusted for decades in products that need to withstand real-world conditions.

Benefits include:

• Excellent heat resistance

• Strong impact resistance

• Better durability than PLA

• Handles changing temperatures well

• Great for outdoor accessories that receive partial sun

Many automotive interior parts are made from ABS for exactly these reasons.

🌞 Why ASA Is Even Better

ASA offers all the advantages of ABS while adding one very important feature:

Outstanding UV resistance.

Unlike many plastics, ASA is specifically designed for long-term outdoor exposure.

That means it:

• Resists fading

• Holds its color longer

• Better withstands rain, snow, and sunlight

• Maintains strength over time

• Performs well year-round

Whenever possible, ASA is our first choice for products that will spend their lives outdoors.

🏡 Built for Real Outdoor Use

Many of our products are designed to remain outside all year, including:

• Decorative security camera housings

• Birdhouse-style camera covers

• Planter camera housings

• Outdoor décor

• Garden accessories

Using outdoor-rated materials helps ensure your purchase continues looking great season after season.

🎨 Material Depends on the Product

Not every project requires the same material.

We choose the best filament based on how the product will be used.

Indoor decorative products

• Often printed in PLA for excellent detail and vibrant colors.

Outdoor products

• Printed in ABS or ASA for maximum durability and weather resistance.

This allows us to provide the right balance of appearance, strength, and longevity.

🇺🇸 Designed and Made in Washington

Every product from TML Fun Creations is designed, printed, and assembled in our shop in Ravensdale, Washington.

We don't simply choose the easiest material to print—we choose the material that's best suited for how the product will actually be used.

That philosophy has helped us create products that customers can enjoy for years.

Have Questions?

If you're unsure which material is right for your project, feel free to contact us. We're always happy to explain the differences and recommend the best option based on where your product will be used.

Thank you for supporting a small American business. We appreciate every order and every opportunity to create something special.