If you've already got the 3D Form vacuum forming module set up on your xTool WonderPress but can't decide between TPU, PETG, and HIPS, this guide is for you.
At a glance, these three films can look pretty similar. But they differ a lot in transparency, rigidity, and what they're best suited for. Read on and find the one that fits your project.
What Makes These Three Films Different?
Here is how TPU, PETG, and HIPS compare in transparency, hardness/flexibility, and typical use cases:
Every project asks something different of a film. The table below lays out the key specs side by side, so you can match the right film to your needs at a glance:
Dimension | PETG | TPU | HIPS |
|---|---|---|---|
Key Properties |
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Typical Applications |
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Good for Casting | Two-part resin, plaster, clay, candles, chocolate. | Two-part resin, soap, candles, plaster, clay, ice, chocolate. | Plaster, polymer clay, candles. |
0.5mm or 1.0mm?
All three xTool Selected films come in 0.5mm and 1.0mm thicknesses. Which one to pick mostly comes down to whether you care more about fine detail or durability:
0.5mm Sheets: Because they are thinner, they heat up quickly and can capture incredibly sharp, micro-level details. However, the final formed shell will be thinner (which can feel softer or slightly more brittle, depending on the material).
1.0mm Sheets: These are thicker and highly durable. They take a bit longer to heat and soften. While they provide excellent structural strength, their thickness means they might not capture the most extreme micro-details as sharply as the 0.5mm sheets.
How to Use These Three Films
Once you've picked your film, the process is nearly identical across all three — just follow the four steps below:
Mold Release Tips
General release tips:
- Let it fully cool before removing: Give the formed piece time to cool and set completely — releasing it too soon can cause warping or shrinkage.
- Build in a draft angle: Avoid sharp right angles or undercuts in your mold. Rounded edges and a 3°–5° taper on the walls make release much smoother.
- Use a release agent when needed: A light dusting of talc or a bit of mold release spray on the mold surface cuts down on sticking.
- Release evenly from the edges: Start at a corner and peel outward slowly and evenly — pulling from the center risks tearing.
Notes by material:
- PETG: Stays fairly rigid once formed, so deep or complex shapes can lock onto the mold. Leave a generous draft angle, and use a soft pry tool on the edges if needed.
- TPU: Soft and stretchy — the easiest of the three to release. Just peel it back by hand. That flexibility is also why it's the go-to choice for complex, reusable molds.
- HIPS: More brittle than the other two. Forcing it can leave white stress marks or cause cracking at the edges — gently pry open a small gap at one corner first, then peel the rest away slowly.
Whichever you choose — TPU, PETG, or HIPS — keeping these details in mind will make your next release a lot smoother.
