Why we print desk gear in PLA (and not something fancier)
PETG is tougher, ABS handles heat better, resin looks sharper. So why does almost everything we make start as a spool of PLA?
The short answer
PLA is the best match for objects that live on a desk, indoors, at room temperature. It is dimensionally stable, prints with tight tolerances, and holds crisp edges — which is exactly what an organiser needs.
Where PLA wins
- Accuracy: low shrinkage means a compartment that measures 62mm in the model measures 62mm in your hand.
- Surface finish: matte, even layer lines instead of the glossy ripples you get with PETG.
- Stiffness: a pen holder should not flex when you drop a fistful of markers into it.
- Plant-based feedstock and no unpleasant fumes while printing.
Where PLA loses
PLA softens somewhere around 55-60°C. That matters in a car dashboard or a south-facing window in peak summer. It does not matter on a desk, next to a laptop, indoors.
How we compensate
We do not print thin, hollow shells. Our parts use generous wall counts and a weighted base, so the finished object feels dense rather than plasticky. If we ever ship something meant for heat or outdoor use, we will switch materials and say so clearly on the product page.