PLA filaments are the most popular material in 3D printing: they are made from renewable resources, print easily and produce excellent results. If you are about to print with PLA, read on to learn how to set the right PLA print temperature and how to tune your settings to get the best results. For starting values for every material we sell, see our temperature guide.

What are PLA Filaments?

Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic polyester derived from renewable resources such as corn starch. PLA filaments are stiff and strong, and their most attractive feature is that they are low-odour, easy to print and come in a huge variety of colours and finishes, from standard EconoFil PLA to Select matte and silk PLA.

Guidelines for 3D Printing Using PLA Filaments

1. Set the Right PLA Temperature

Printing with PLA is pretty fuss-free if you know how to set the bed and extrusion temperature right.

If the extruder is set too hot, the filament turns soft and messy and you get stringing. If the extrusion temperature is too low, the PLA will not bond to the previous layer and the print will be weak with a rough finish. The ideal PLA temperature sits between 190 and 220 degrees depending on your printer and speed; our EconoFil PLA is happiest at 200 to 215, and Hyper PLA at 210 to 230 on high-speed machines. Keep experimenting with the temperature by turning it up and down in 5-degree steps to find what works best for you.

Besides extrusion, adjusting the PLA bed temperature is also crucial. Set the PLA bed temperature between 55 and 65 degrees, whichever best suits your bed surface.

2. What to Do When Things Go Wrong?

Here are a few things to check if your prints aren’t coming out right:

• If your first layer isn’t sticking, check that the nozzle height (Z offset) is right and the print bed is levelled.
• Lower your PLA extrusion temperature if your prints are coming out droopy or stringy.
• Dry your filament if your prints have bumps, pops or a rough surface. PLA absorbs moisture over time; a few hours in a filament dryer fixes it.
• Before applying any adhesive to the print bed, make sure it is free of oils and fingerprints, as these compromise bed adhesion. Wipe PEI beds with isopropyl alcohol.
• Different brands and different modifications of PLA (matte, silk, high-speed) need slightly different temperatures.

3. Get the Printing Speed Right

Besides the PLA print temperature, you also need to consider printing speed. Standard PLA prints well at 40 to 100 mm/s on most printers. High-speed printers such as the Bambu Lab, Flashforge Adventurer 5M and Creality K1 series run 200 mm/s and up, which is where Hyper PLA earns its name: it is formulated to melt faster so layers still bond at those speeds. Setting the right balance between PLA temperature and printing speed makes a real difference to print quality.

4. Be Mindful of External Factors

External factors can also affect your printing experience if you are not careful. Here are a few useful tips:

• Adjust the PLA temperature toward the higher end if you have a cool breeze coming in from a window.
• Moisture affects PLA. Store open spools in an air-tight container or a filament dryer to preserve quality.
• An enclosure is not required for PLA, but it keeps drafts off the print and reduces warping on large parts.

5. Ensure Proper Cooling

Make sure part cooling is set properly. PLA likes plenty of cooling: run the part fan at 100% after the first couple of layers to freeze each layer quickly, which gives crisp overhangs and prevents stringing.

Browse Our High-Grade Materials for 3D Printing in Canada!

Whether you are a hobbyist, a school or a business, we have a variety of 3D printers and 3D printing materials to choose from. We make our own PLA, PETG, ABS and TPU, stocked in Brampton, Ontario and shipped within 24 hours.

Browse our products online and reach out to us at 1-844-465-7684 or write to us at hello@filaments.ca for more information about 3D printer filaments in Canada.