3D Printed PETG

3D printing has come a long way in the last few years. It’s not just a hobbyist tool anymore — businesses, workshops, and even people at home are using it to solve problems, save money, and keep older equipment running. And one of the standout materials that’s made this possible is PETG.

Now, PETG stands for polyethylene terephthalate glycol. That sounds like a mouthful, doesn’t it? But in plain English, it’s a type of plastic filament that’s become a favourite among 3D printers because of how reliable it is.

Let me explain why.

💪 Why PETG is Popular

PETG prints easily, sticks its layers together nicely, and doesn’t shrink much as it cools down. That means you can do bigger prints without worrying about corners lifting off the bed or warping halfway through. Compared to PLA or ABS, PETG just behaves better when you’re working on larger, stronger parts.

It’s also:

Strong – great for anything that needs to handle a bit of pressure or weight.

Chemical resistant – handy if the part will come into contact with oils, fuels, or cleaning products.

Odourless when printing – unlike ABS, which stinks the place out, PETG is easy on the nose.

Because of all that, PETG has become the material of choice for a lot of printers, myself included. But like anything, there are a few things worth knowing before you jump in.

⚙️ Things to Keep in Mind When Printing with PETG

Here’s what I tell people when they ask about using PETG:

Settings matter.

PETG’s a brilliant material, but if your printer’s not set up right, it can be a bit of a nightmare. Temperature, bed adhesion, fan speed — they all play a part. If you’ve never used it before, expect a bit of trial and error.

It can get messy.

PETG likes to ooze. If you’re not careful, your nozzle will pick up stringing, blobs, or little wisps of plastic. That’s normal — it just means you need to fine-tune your retraction settings and maybe keep a scraper handy.

Be careful when removing prints.

PETG sticks very well to the print bed. Sometimes too well. I’ve seen people crack their glass plates trying to force parts off. Best tip? Let the bed cool down first — prints usually pop off easier.

With a bit of patience, PETG will give you strong, reliable prints that not only look good but will also last.

🛠️ How We Use PETG at Mitchell & Son

At Mitchell & Son, this is exactly the sort of thing we deal with day in, day out. We don’t just print trinkets — we help people and businesses get real, working solutions.

A factory that needs a replacement bracket for a machine that’s been discontinued? We design it, print it in PETG, and they’re back in action without spending thousands on tooling.

A homeowner who’s snapped a greenhouse clip or a part on their garden furniture? We replicate it in PETG so it’ll last outdoors.

An engineer who needs a prototype part before going into full production? We CAD it up, print it, and get them something they can test properly.

For us, it’s not just about the print — it’s about asking the right questions. Where’s it going to be used? Will it see sunlight? Will it take weight or pressure? That’s how we choose the right material and settings.

👨‍🏭 Support for Industry and the Man on the Street

We know not everyone has the time or kit to do this themselves. That’s where we come in.

For industry, we offer:

CAD design and modelling support

3D printing in PETG, ABS, and other engineering plastics

Prototyping, small batch production, and cost-effective replacements for obsolete parts

For everyday folks, we keep it simple. Bring us the broken bit, and we’ll figure it out. You don’t need to know what CAD software is or what PETG stands for. That’s our job.

And here’s the thing — we don’t believe in charging silly money. Injection moulding can cost thousands just to get started. With us, you’re often looking at a couple of hundred quid to get something back in working order.

🌟 Why PETG Makes Sense

At the end of the day, PETG is one of those rare materials that ticks a lot of boxes. It’s easy enough to print once you know how, strong enough for most applications, and resistant enough to last outdoors or around chemicals.

Whether you’re running a business that needs parts yesterday, or you’re just someone trying to get your garden furniture working again, PETG gives us the flexibility to make you something that lasts — without breaking the bank.

👋 Need Something Made?

That’s what we do here at Mitchell & Son. We take problems — missing parts, broken components, ideas that need a prototype — and turn them into real, usable solutions.

So if you’re wondering whether PETG (or any other plastic) is right for your project, give us a shout. We’ll talk you through it in plain English, not jargon, and get you sorted.