MATERIALS
TYPES of MATERIALS
We work with a wide range of materials across our fabrication services, including CNC routing, laser engraving, 3D printing, and UV printing. Each material has different properties, making it suitable for specific applications.
Below are some of the most commonly used materials along with typical uses and examples to help guide your project.
Materials We Work With
Plastics & Acrylics
Common Materials:
Acrylic (clear or colored)
HDPE (cutting board material)
Polycarbonate
PVC
Wood & Engineered Wood
Common Materials:
Hardwood (maple, walnut, oak)
Plywood
MDF
Metals (Primarily Aluminum)
Common Materials:
Aluminum (most common)
Coated or anodized aluminum
Stainless Steel
3D Printing Materials
Common Materials:
PLA
PETG
ABS
TPU (flexible)
Printed & Engraved Surfaces
Common Materials:
Acrylic (for engraved or printed panels)
Coated metals
Wood surfaces
Plastics suitable for printing
Material Decision
The best material depends on your project’s needs.
If you're unsure which material is best, we can help recommend options based on your design, budget, and intended use.
Material Selection Guide
Need Strength & Durability
Recommended Materials:
Aluminum / Steel
Polycarbonate
PETG / ABS
Best For:
structural components
brackets and mounts
load-bearing parts
long-term use products
Appearance & Finish Matter Most
Recommended Materials:
Acrylic
Hardwood (maple, walnut, oak)
UV-printed surfaces
Best For:
signage
branded products
display pieces
decorative panels
Prototyping or Testing an Idea
Recommended Materials:
PLA or PETG (3D printing)
Acrylic
MDF
Best For:
concept models
early-stage product development
fit and form testing
quick design iterations
Lightweight Parts
Recommended Materials:
Acrylic
HDPE
PLA
Best For:
portable products
enclosures
panels
non-structural components
Flexibility or Impact Resistance
Recommended Materials:
TPU (flexible 3D printing)
Polycarbonate
HDPE
Best For:
protective components
flexible parts
impact-resistant applications
Custom Graphics or Branding
Recommended Materials:
UV-printable plastics
Acrylic
Coated metals
Best For:
logos and branding
control panels
product labeling
signage
custom designs
Producing Small Batches
Recommended Materials:
Acrylic
Aluminum
PETG / ABS (3D printing)
Best For:
limited product runs
startup products
custom hardware
small-scale manufacturing
Choosing the Right Material
Material selection depends on factors like:
how the part will be used
required strength or flexibility
visual appearance
budget and quantity
Reach out and we can recommend the best material and fabrication method for your project.
Real-World Material Examples
Building a Control Panel
Recommended Materials:
Aluminum
Acrylic
Why:
Aluminum offers durability and a professional finish
Acrylic provides a clean look and works well with engraving or printing
Common Uses:
audio equipment panels
control interfaces
instrument panels
Creating Enclosure or Housing
Recommended Materials:
Acrylic
HDPE
Aluminum
3D printed plastics (PLA, PETG, ABS)
Why:
plastics are lightweight and easy to work with
aluminum adds strength and durability
3D printing allows quick prototyping and custom shapes
Common Uses:
electronics enclosures
device housings
project boxes
Making a Prototype
Recommended Materials:
PLA / PETG (3D printing)
Acrylic
MDF
Why:
fast and cost-effective
easy to modify and iterate
ideal for testing form and fit
Common Uses:
product development
concept models
design validation
Brackets or Mechanical Parts
Recommended Materials:
Aluminum
ABS (3D printing)
Polycarbonate
Why:
strong and durable
suitable for functional use
holds up under stress and repeated use
Common Uses:
mounting brackets
adapters
structural components
Signage or Displays
Recommended Materials:
Acrylic
Wood
UV-printed panels
Why:
visually appealing
supports engraving and printing
suitable for indoor and display use
Common Uses:
business signage
wall displays
branded panels
Branding or Labels to a Product
Recommended Materials:
UV-printable plastics
Acrylic
Coated metals
Why:
supports high-quality graphics
durable and long-lasting
professional finish
Common Uses:
logos on products
control panel graphics
product labeling
Decorative or Custom Pieces
Recommended Materials:
Wood
Acrylic
Engraved or printed surfaces
Why:
strong visual appeal
supports detailed designs
great for custom and artistic projects
Common Uses:
custom artwork
engraved panels
personalized items
Not Sure Where Your Project Fits?
Many projects combine multiple materials and fabrication methods.
If you have an idea or design, feel free to reach out — we can help determine the best materials and approach for your specific project.