PLA
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is the most beginner-friendly filament. It prints easily, gives nice surfaces, and requires no enclosure or special heat treatment.
Settings
| Parameter | Standard PLA | PLA+ | PLA Silk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 220 °C | 230 °C | 230 °C |
| Bed temperature | 35–45 °C | 45–55 °C | 45–55 °C |
| Chamber temperature | — | — | — |
| Part cooling | 100% | 100% | 80% |
| Speed | Standard | Standard | 80% |
| Drying required | No | No | No |
Recommended build plates
| Plate | Suitability | Glue stick? |
|---|---|---|
| Cool Plate (Smooth PEI) | Excellent | No |
| Textured PEI | Good | No |
| Engineering Plate | Good | No |
| High Temp Plate | Avoid | — |
Tips for successful printing
- No glue stick needed — PLA adheres well to most plates without a glue stick
- Let the plate cool — PLA releases more easily from the plate when cooled to room temperature
- First layer speed — set to 50–70% for better adhesion
- Part cooling — keep at 100% for sharper details and better bridges
:::tip Z-offset Calibrate Z-offset carefully for the first layer. For PLA on Cool Plate: live-adjust until the first layer is slightly transparent and well-adhered, not squished. :::
Variants
PLA+
Stronger and more heat-stable than standard PLA. Runs slightly warmer (225–235 °C). Somewhat more flexible and easier to post-process.
PLA Silk
Gives shiny, metallic surfaces. Requires less cooling and slightly lower speed for best results. Bridges are more demanding.
PLA-CF (carbon fiber)
Carbon fiber-reinforced PLA gives increased stiffness and is lightweight. Requires a hardened steel nozzle — never use a regular brass nozzle with CF materials.
PLA Matte
Matte surface without shine. Prints on the same settings as standard PLA.
Storage
PLA does not absorb moisture as quickly as PETG and PA, but should still be stored dry:
- Recommended: Sealed bag with silica gel
- Signs of moist filament: Popping sounds, bubbling surface, weak print
Dry at 45–55 °C for 4–6 hours if necessary.