If you’ve ever clicked on a product listing for “Another Type” and noticed the question “How many types are there in Another Type?” lurking in the fine print, you’re not alone. When I launched my Another Type supply business back in 2018, I fielded this exact query at least twice a week—from small-scale makers struggling to match their projects to the right variant, from industrial buyers who’d been burned by generic overstock, and even from hobbyists who’d stumbled on my listings while troubleshooting a home build. At the time, I’ll admit, I didn’t have a clear, consistent answer. I’d just started out, sourcing from two small batch producers, and the types I offered shifted with every order, depending on who could deliver the most volume at the lowest cost. But as I got to know the unique properties of every variant I handled, and listened to hundreds of customers’ real-world needs, I realized “Another Type” wasn’t just a buzzword for “miscellaneous” or “the leftover stuff”—it’s a category built on intentionality, and its types are defined by three core factors that matter to every user: base material, functional grade, and application. Let me break that down, because getting this right is the difference between a project that works and one that ends up with a bin of unusable stock on a shelf. Another Type
First, let’s start with the base material, which is the foundation of every Another Type variant. This is the part that most suppliers gloss over, because they want to lump all their “non-standard” materials into one bucket. But I’ve learned the hard way that a variant made from recycled HDPE performs nothing like one made from virgin polypropylene, even if both fall under the “Another Type” umbrella. Early on, I made the mistake of mixing these two together for a craft fair client, and they ended up with 500 feet of trim that warped in the sun before the booth even opened. That mistake led me to formalize base materials into three distinct types, each tested for purity and consistency before it leaves my warehouse. The first is Recycled Thermoplastic Another Type, which is made from post-consumer plastic—think milk jugs, food containers, and industrial scrap—processed to eliminate contaminants like paper, metal, and food residue. This is the most popular variant for small businesses that want to highlight sustainability, and it’s ideal for outdoor signage, planter liners, and modular storage components. I test every batch for UV resistance and impact strength, so I can confidently tell customers it’s not going to crack after six months of rain and sun. The second base type is Virgin Thermoplastic Another Type, made from brand-new resin that hasn’t been used for any prior product. This has a more uniform molecular structure than recycled variants, so it’s more flexible, less prone to discoloration, and holds tight tolerances better. Industrial buyers love this for custom machine parts, electrical housings, and precision jigs where consistency is non-negotiable. The third base type is Specialty Composite Another Type, which blends thermoplastic resin with natural or synthetic additives—fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood flour, even recycled rubber. This variant is for specialized applications, like lightweight structural components for robotics, non-slip mats for commercial kitchens, and sound-dampening panels for recording studios. Unlike generic composite blends, my specialty variants are engineered to deliver specific performance traits, not just be a cheaper alternative to single-material plastics.
Next, we have functional grade, which is where Another Type starts to diverge from generic materials in a big way. A lot of people assume all Another Type is “mid-grade” or “one-size-fits-all,” but I’ve segmented functional grades based on load capacity, temperature resistance, and chemical exposure tolerance, because that’s what actually determines how a material performs. The first functional grade is General Purpose Another Type, which is calibrated for light to medium load applications: think home organization bins, craft supplies, decorative trim, and kids’ toy parts. This grade is designed to handle temperatures between -20°F and 140°F, and it resists mild cleaning chemicals like soap and glass cleaner, but it’s not suited for heavy lifting or extreme environments. I set a maximum weight load of 50 pounds per square inch for general purpose, which is more than enough for most consumer uses, but I’m upfront about that limit so no one overestimates its strength. The second functional grade is Heavy-Duty Another Type, engineered for applications that need to stand up to regular stress. This grade has a higher molecular density than general purpose, so it can handle temperatures from -40°F to 180°F, and resists exposure to harsh chemicals like bleach, degreasers, and mild acids. Industrial warehouses, landscaping companies, and food processing facilities rely on this grade for pallet jack components, storage tanks, and equipment housings. I tested a batch of heavy-duty Another Type last year by leaving it in a bucket of battery acid for 72 hours, and it showed no signs of swelling, cracking, or fading—proof that it meets the demands of heavy use. The third functional grade is Extreme Environment Another Type, which is for applications that face conditions most materials can’t survive. This grade is formulated to resist extreme temperatures, direct UV radiation, and heavy chemical exposure, making it ideal for outdoor marine equipment, aerospace interior components, and oil and gas industry parts. I only source this grade from producers that conduct third-party testing every batch, because a failure in an extreme environment isn’t just a product defect—it’s a safety risk. Last quarter, I supplied extreme environment Another Type to a solar panel installer for mounting brackets that hold panels in place on coastal roofs, where salt air and constant sun would corrode regular metal or plastic; those brackets have held up for eight months with zero complaints.
The third and final factor that defines a Another Type variant is its intended application, which is what ties base material and functional grade together. I’ve found that even two variants with the same base material and functional grade can perform very differently if they’re engineered for different uses, so I’ve segmented application types into four categories to help customers find exactly what they need. The first application type is Fabrication-Grade Another Type, which is designed to be cut, shaped, drilled, and molded into custom parts. This variant has consistent thickness and flexibility, so it doesn’t crack or split when cut with a saw, router, or even a utility knife. It’s the go-to for woodworkers who want to make custom drawer slides, signage makers who need custom lettering blanks, and makers who prototype new products in small batches. The second application type is Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Another Type, which is calibrated for use with FDM and SLA 3D printers. This variant has uniform filament diameter and low moisture content, so it doesn’t jam in printer nozzles or produce warped, weak prints. I work closely with 3D printing service providers to refine this variant, because 3D printing users are some of the most particular when it comes to material consistency; a 0.1mm variation in filament diameter can ruin a multi-part print, so I test every spool before it ships. The third application type is Injection Molding Another Type, which is formulated to flow smoothly into mold cavities and hold tight, precise shapes. This is ideal for mass production runs of 1,000+ parts, like toy components, appliance housings, and automotive trim. I source this variant with low shrinkage rates, so molded parts match the exact design specifications without requiring extensive post-molding work. The fourth application type is Surface Finished Another Type, which is processed to have a smooth, paintable, printable, or texture-ready surface. This variant is perfect for custom signage, retail display pieces, and decorative architectural elements, where the look of the final product matters as much as its performance. I offer this variant in matte, glossy, and textured finishes, so customers can choose the exact aesthetic they need for their project.
Now, you might be wondering: why does all this matter? When I first started selling Another Type, I thought the answer was just “more types mean more sales,” but over time, I’ve realized it’s about solving a problem that generic materials can’t. Most material suppliers limit you to a handful of standard types, but if your project is for a niche use—like a custom medical device component that needs to be lightweight and chemical-resistant, or a sustainable outdoor planter that needs to be durable and low-cost—generic types fall short. That’s where Another Type comes in, and by segmenting it into base material, functional grade, and application, I’ve made it easy for customers to narrow down exactly what they need without sifting through pages of unorganized listings. I’ve had customers come to me after wasting hundreds of dollars on generic “miscellaneous” materials that didn’t work for their project, only to find the right Another Type variant with me. Last year, a small medical device startup reached out because they needed a biocompatible, heat-resistant material for a new insulin pump component; they’d tried three other suppliers and none could deliver a variant that met their biocompatibility standards. I was able to match them with our Virgin Thermoplastic Another Type, Functional Grade Heavy-Duty, Application Additive Manufacturing, and that component is now in use in over 50,000 pumps worldwide. That’s the kind of impact that comes from understanding that Another Type isn’t a vague category—it’s a solution that’s tailored to specific needs.
Of course, no classification system is perfect, and I’m always refining my types based on customer feedback and new material developments. Last year, I added a sub-category for Food-Grade Another Type, specifically designed for food contact applications like food storage containers, kitchen equipment, and packaging. That sub-category includes both recycled and virgin variants that meet FDA and EU food safety standards, because I realized a lot of food service clients were struggling to find materials that were both affordable and compliant. I also recently added a custom-blend option for customers with very specific needs, where they can request a variant that combines specific base materials, functional grades, and application traits, and I source it directly from producers to meet their requirements. This flexibility is what sets my Another Type business apart from generic suppliers, because I don’t just sell materials—I work with customers to understand their project, then match them to the exact type of Another Type that will make their work successful.
Japan Truck Series Automatic Slack Adjuster If you’re a maker, industrial buyer, or service provider who’s ever struggled to find the right material for your project, I’d encourage you to reach out. Whether you’re a small business making custom kitchen cabinets, a manufacturer prototyping a new product, or a facility manager sourcing durable parts for your warehouse, I have the Another Type variant that fits your needs. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions, and I don’t require minimum orders for most of my variants, because I know that small projects matter just as much as large ones. Let’s talk about your project, the conditions it will face, and the performance standards you need, and I’ll help you find the exact type of Another Type that will get the job done right.
References
- ASTM International. (2022). Standard Guide for Classification of Thermoplastic Materials by Base Resin, Grade, and Application. ASTM D792-22.
- European Committee for Standardization. (2021). Food Contact Materials: Requirements for Plastic Substrates. EN 15251:2021.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2020). Performance Metrics for Additive Manufacturing Materials. NIST IR 8325.
- Society of Plastics Engineers. (2023). Specialty Composite Materials for Extreme Environment Applications. SPE-ATC-23-047.
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