What 3D Printing Material Is Very Flexible?

Need to print something soft, bendable, and durable—like a phone case, gasket, or wearable sensor? Flexible 3D printing materials are the answer. These materials are designed to bend, twist, and stretch without breaking, giving you rubber-like parts that bounce back to shape.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top flexible 3D printing materials, how to choose the right one, and how zone3Dplus makes flexible 3D printing easier than ever.

zone3Dplus TPU

Why Flexible 3D Materials Matter

Flexible materials are perfect when you need:

  • Soft-touch finishes
  • Shock absorption
  • Stretchy or compressible parts

Unlike stiff plastics like PLA or ABS, flexible materials feel more like rubber or silicone. That makes them ideal for grips, shoe soles, insoles, gaskets, medical wearables, and more.

Fast Comparison: Popular Flexible 3D Materials

zone3Dplus Flexible Materials

1.TPU & TPE Filaments: Simple, Stretchy, and Strong

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is one of the most-used flexible materials. It’s tough yet bendable, perfect for everyday parts.

  • Shore hardness: Around 95A (like a car tire)
  • Prints fast: Up to 120 mm/s
  • Resistant to oil, water, and wear
  • Best for: Phone cases, wheels, toys, custom seals

TPE-HP (High Performance Thermoplastic Elastomer) is softer and even more abrasion-resistant than TPU. It absorbs impacts and doesn’t need drying before printing.

2. Flexible Resins: Smooth, Precise, and Professional

If you need tiny details and smooth finishes, resin-based flexible materials are your go-to. These are great for medical tools, wearables, and visual prototypes.

Flexible-X Resin (e.g. Liqcreate)

  • Shore hardness: 55A
  • Stretch: Up to 160%
  • Supports fine geometry
  • Used in: Medical grips, prototypes, jewelry molds

Cellular Resins

  • Create honeycomb structures for impact protection
  • Used in sports helmets and protective gear

zone3Dplus uses SLA and DLP printers with flexible resins to help customers create highly detailed, soft-touch parts with sharp precision—perfect for wearables and demo-ready models.

3.Next-Level Flexible Materials (For Research & Innovation)

Silicone + Conductive Ink

  • Used in stretchable sensors and biomedical wearables
  • Biocompatible and skin-safe

Water-Based PU + CNF (WPU-CNF)

  • Stretches up to 951%
  • Eco-friendly and prints at room temp
  • Ideal for custom shoe soles or soft robotics

Self-Healing Hydrogels

  • Great for medical sensors or flexible tech
  • Can detect movement or heal small tears

zone3Dplus works with innovators and R&D teams to print with custom and experimental flexible materials. Whether you’re testing soft sensors or prototyping smart insoles, we’re here to help.

Printer Compatibility: What Works with What

  • FDM Printers: Best for TPU and TPE
  • SLA/DLP/LCD Resin Printers: Needed for Flexible-X and smooth finishes
  • DIW Printers: Handle advanced inks like hydrogels or water-based resins

At zone3Dplus, we have all major 3D printing systems—FDM, SLA, and even advanced resin systems—so we match your idea with the best technology available.

Real-Life Uses from zone3Dplus

Here’s what our customers have printed with flexible materials:

  • Medical wearables with hydrogel sensors
  • Crash-absorbing helmet pads from honeycomb resins
  • Custom TPU gaskets for industrial machines
  • Flexible car accessories using our new Tough Resin (Tea Green)
zone3Dplus TPU

Expert Printing Tips

  • Start slow: First layers stick better when printed slow.
  • Lower fan speeds: Better bonding for soft materials (under 30% is ideal).
  • Keep materials dry: Even TPU needs a sealed box when not in use.

The Future: What’s Coming for Flexible 3D Printing

The tech is moving fast. Here’s what to watch:

  • Faster flexible printing (like the INTAMSYS FLEX 510)
  • Greener materials (WPU-CNF is solvent-free and safe)
  • More wearable-friendly designs thanks to self-healing resins

zone3Dplus stays ahead of the curve by testing new materials and upgrading machines—so you get the most advanced, flexible parts available.

Ready to Print Flexible Parts?

Whether you’re designing a soft phone case or a custom medical wearable, zone3Dplus has the tools, materials, and expertise to bring it to life. Upload your file to our instant quote system and choose from industry-leading flexible resins and filaments today!

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