If you own a 3D printer and want to make cookie cutters, the first question is: what material?
The two main contenders are PLA and PETG.
PLA — The Beginner's Favorite
PLA prints at low temperatures (190-220°C), doesn't need a heated bed, and is biodegradable.
Pros
- Easy to print
- Affordable
Cons
- Not food-safe — porous, harbors bacteria
- Deforms with heat (>60°C)
- Not dishwasher safe
PETG — The Professional Choice
PETG is stronger, more durable, and food-safe.
Pros
- Food-grade (FDA approved)
- Heat resistant (80°C)
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Needs heated bed
- Harder to print
- More expensive
Which one?
For food use — always PETG. At store.kingscutter.com all cutters are food-grade PETG with handle included.
Is PLA safe for cookie cutters?
No: if the piece will touch dough, fondant or any food, the recommended option is food-grade PETG, and PLA is out for that use. PLA is a great filament for learning, for prototypes and for pieces that never contact food, but it is not the material used for cutters made for baking.
At kingscutter.com and store.kingscutter.com every physical piece is printed in food-grade PETG, safe for food contact. The difference shows up daily: PETG handles moisture and wash temperatures better and keeps the cutting edge sharper. The practical rule is simple: cookies, fondant and salt dough mean PETG; models and non-food decoration can use either.
Data and measurements
These are the figures you can verify on the product sheet before deciding:
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Physical cutter material | Food-grade PETG, safe for food contact | store.kingscutter.com product sheet |
| Material not used | PLA | store.kingscutter.com |
| Available sizes | 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17 and 20 cm | kingscutter.com catalog |
| Handle | Included with every physical cutter | store.kingscutter.com |
| Washing | Hand wash; dishwashers degrade PETG | Wash tests in our workshop |
| Uses | Fondant, cookie dough, polymer clay, foam and salt dough | Use tests in our workshop |
According to our measurement in the workshop, the size range jumps from 10 to 13 cm, and that jump is the one you notice most when the recipe changes: a thicker dough needs a larger piece so it does not deform while cutting.
According to the wash tests we ran for several weeks with identical PETG cutters, the hand-washed ones kept their edge and color, while the ones that went through a dishwasher lost definition along the edges. Hence the usual advice: warm water, mild soap and immediate drying.
When each material makes sense
PLA prints at low temperatures, is affordable and is ideal for practice, models and decorative pieces that never touch food. PETG requires more print tuning and a heated bed, but it is the material that survives a real kitchen: it cuts fondant, cookie dough, polymer clay, foam and salt dough without giving way. If you sell decorated cookies, that durability advantage turns into pieces that last whole seasons.
If you are just starting out, design on kingscutter.com lets you test the design before committing filament. To see the full workflow, read how to turn a photo into a 3D cutter. And if you would rather receive the piece already printed in food-grade PETG, the physical store ships to several countries.
In short: for cutters that come into contact with food, the material is food-grade PETG and the washing is by hand. That combination is what keeps the quality of everything we build at kingscutter.com.
Sources and standards
The technical data in this guide is backed by verifiable official sources:
