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Contents
PLA Printing Tips
1. Slicer Settings
2. Environment
3. Filament Care
4. Post Processing
Troubleshooting Guide
Downloads
FAQ’s
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Your complete guide to 3D printing with PLA & PLA+, covering best practices and tips
for perfect prints.
How to succeed when printing PLA & PLA+ and troubleshooting common
problems step-by-step
Download our free PLA & PLA+ Printing Guide, packed with printing tips and
settings suggestions
Your PLA & PLA+ printing FAQ’s answered
Perhaps the most ubiquitous 3D printing material in the world, PLA has become the
default choice for most when it comes to FDM 3D printing. It’s so popular in fact that
most 3D printers ship with a few rolls included in the box with the printer itself - further
cementing its status as the ultimate “beginner’s filament”.
Derived from renewable feedstock like corn and sugarcane, PLA or Poly-Lactic Acid is a
3D Printing bioplastic that breaks down thousands of times faster than petroleum-based
plastics such as ABS and PETG. When combined with responsible manufacturing
practices such as the omission of commonly used, toxic plasticisers such as phthalates,
PLA can have a significantly lower persistent environmental effect on marine
environments.
“In general, most 3D printing problems that occur with printing in PLA
can be remedied by maintaining proper temperature control when
printing.”
From a more user-centric viewpoint, it’s how PLA performs as a 3D printing material
that really makes it shine. Being able to be printed at a lower temperature (<210°C for
PLA and <220°C for PLA+) and ability to be printed without a heat bed means that it is
printable by almost all modern 3D printers. Low (Volatile Organic Compound) VOC
production when heated also makes PLA safer to print for users when compared to ABS.
PLA’s low warping and dimensional accuracy when printed is really where PLA takes
the cake, making for a great material for fit testing, prototyping and producing
dimensionally accurate models.
That being said, PLA does have some unique properties that make it slightly challenging
to print for the uninitiated. In general, most 3D printing problems that occur with printing
in PLA and PLA+ can be remedied by maintaining proper temperature control when
printing.
To help you, we’ve compiled a list of our 15 most helpful tips and tricks to help you
master this versatile 3D printing material.
Note: Our PLA+ is designed to print and behave in a similar way to our PLA. As such,
all the tips and suggestions in this guide for PLA are also applicable for PLA+. Unless
explicitly stated, simply increase all temperature recommendations by 10°C. (i.e. 200°C
to 210°C etc.)
1. Extruder Temperature
The vast majority of 3D printing problems encountered when printing in PLA are caused
by incorrect extruder and bed temperatures. When printing in PLA start with the lowest
temperature recommended by the manufacturer - only increasing temperature if extrusion
problems become evident. We recommend an extruder temperature of 200°C for PLA
and 210°C for PLA+.
2. Bed Temperature
While PLA/PLA+ can be printed on an unheated bed, for best results we recommend and
a bed temp of between 50°C - 60°C. If poor adhesion is an issue, print the first two layers
ONLY with the bed at 65°C (and 60°C for every subsequent layer). Do not maintain a
bed temp >65°C for more than the first two layers as this can cause the print to warp (see:
Elephants Foot) or in extreme cases for the print to dislodge from the bed completely.
3. Fan Control & Minimum Layer Time
PLA prints best when rapidly cooled with the aid of your extruder's fan. This will ensure
a clean, crisp layers with neat details. For the best surface resolution possible, set the
extruder fan speed to 100%. For smaller parts, manually setting a minimum layer time
of >15 seconds per layer will ensure each layer is solid before another layer is printed
on top - preventing sloppy layers from forming.
4. Retraction
Increasing the retraction speed and distance will decrease that amount of material that
oozes out of the nozzle between print moves. Turning on retraction settings in your slicer
will tell your printer to actively rewind some filament at the end of a print move, causing
a negative pressure to build up in the nozzle. We recommend starting with a retraction
speed of between 30-80mm/s and a retraction distance of Between 2-5 mm for a
Bowden setup or 1-2mm for a direct drive printer.
5. Build Plate Adhesion
While PLA is less prone to warping compared to other materials, even PLA can use a
little extra help sticking to the bed sometimes. If your prints require a little help sticking
to the bed, try printing with a Brim - a single layer flat area around the base of the model
to prevent warping. If the model is not completely flat or has little adhesion to the build
plate, printing with a Raft may be a better option.
6. Print Slower
With proper fan cooling, PLA can achieve blistering print speeds. If you are having
problems with interlayer adhesion or print quality, try printing a little slower. Printing at
speeds greater than 80mm/s and your printer may struggle to lay filament down fast
enough. Layers may have problems sticking to one another, leading to weak prints and
poor surface resolution. We've found that printing at 55mm/s or slower yields great
results. It represents for us the sweet spot between print speed and achieving great
surface resolution.
7. Flow Control
PLA can be sensitive to over extrusion. If you've tried all the steps outlined above and
you're getting sloppy layers, the problem may be linked to over extrusion. This occurs
when your printer extrudes more filament than intended, causing sloppy layers and in
some cases, excessive material to build up on the hot end. To remedy this issue, simply
reduce the flow of filament in 5% increments to prevent over extrusion. Be careful not
to reduce it too much as this can lead to poor part strength and thin, wispy layers.
ENVIRONMENT
For best results, it’s important that your 3D printer is placed in an environment that is
kept at a relatively constant temperature and free of draughts. Droughts and cold
breezes can cause undue warping on your parts as they print, causing warping and print
failure. Keep your 3D printer in a sheltered environment. Corridors, thoroughfares, large
open spaces and rooms with high foot traffic are not ideal places to setup of your 3D
printer in.
9. Open Enclosure
As rapid cooling of the print is key for PLA to produce great surface resolution (unlike
other materials such as ABS, and HIPS), keeping the printer in an enclosure with the door
closed can be detrimental to achieving great print quality. In extreme cases, the enclosed
space of the enclosure can cause heat to build up and cause feeding and printing issues.
For best results, keep the door your your print enclosure open to allow for proper cooling.
Good ventilation is also key to your health as the operator. While printing in PLA
generates far fewer Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) than materials such as ABS
and HIPS, it’s still important to ensure good ventilation of the room your printer is
located in if you plan on being present in the room for long periods of time.If proper
ventilation cannot be maintained without causing draughts and breezes, consider working
in another room while the printer is active. If you must be present in the room when the
printer is in operation, you may consider using an air purifier such as a Zimpure 2 to keep
VOC’s within acceptable levels.
FILAMENT CARE
11. Keep Filament Dry
PLA is prone to absorbing moisture from the air when left out in the open. When left out
in a non-airtight environment, PLA will begin to become brittle and snap when uncoiled,
causing loading and feeding issues. When printing wet filament, small bubbles can also
appear on the skin of your print marring an otherwise smooth surface as. In severe cases,
steam and small popping noises can be noticed exiting the nozzle when printing. Finally
printing with wet PLA also results in weaker 3D printed parts overall with as wet PLA
forms weaker interlayer bond between each print layer of your 3D printed part.
Fortunately, wet filament can be rescued by dehydrating it in an oven at 60°c for 12
hours or by storing the filament in a container with ample amounts of desiccant for
1-5 days.
Whenever possible, when not printing with PLA (and all other filaments for that matter),
unload the filament from the printer and store it in an airtight container in a cool dry
place to keep it dry. Ensure the desiccant that comes with the filament is also stored in
the same container to keep the filament in optimal printing condition. Additional
desiccant may be required depending on the size of the container and amount of
filament being stored. Aim to keep the humidity level within the container at 10-15%
and out of direct sunlight. Wet filament stored in this way can be regenerated by if
stored in the conditions above for 1-5 days.
POST PROCESSING
13. Gluing
Cyanoacrylate glue (superglue) or two-stage epoxies are a great choice for when
you’re looking to join your PLA parts. Light sanding your parts to roughen up the
surfaces you’d like to join ensuring a stronger bond. Solvent welding always results in
the strongest bonds and is possible using chemicals that PLA will dissolve in (resulting in
a similar reaction to that of ABS and acetone). Note that these are all lab-grade chemicals
and must be handled with protection and extra care. For users without a full lab setup,
we’d recommend against using such chemicals.
14. Painting
Almost all 3D printed parts (with the exception of Nylon and PETG) can be easily
painted. Spray painting your 3D printed parts with a primer or automotive-grade
spray paint that contains a filler can also help to fill in gaps and smooth out the
surfaces of your 3D prints. When spraying, use multiple light passes, allowing each layer
to dry before respraying. Light sanding in between coats (sanding until the base plastic
starts to become visible) will also help you achieve a smooth finish.
Sanding your PLA parts with progressively finer grades of sandpaper can result in super
smooth surface finishes. Start with 400 grit, non-clogging sandpaper, progressing all the
way to 1000 grit. Sand slowly to prevent your part from breaking and melting
because of the friction. Wet sanding at this stage is also recommended to help keep
the part cool. Remember to wear appropriate safety gear when sanding (like a
respiratory mask) so that you don’t inhale the resulting dust.
Troubleshooting Guide
- PLA Edition
Stringing
Sloppy Layers
Elephant’s Foot
Level Bed
First check if your bed is manually level as per your printer's instruction manual. An
uneven bed is usually the most common culprit when it comes to poor part adhesion.
Temporary adhesives
If you’re looking for a more temporary solution or are just in a pinch and need something
to stick to the build plate, there are a few temporary solutions to the problem:
Painters Tape: Blue painters tape can serve as a great temporary solution to
increase your part’s adhesion to the build plate. It’s easily applied and even easier to
remove after a print. Be sure to stick your tape down evenly, ensuring that there are
no overlaps in the tape that could cause high spots in your otherwise level build
plate.
Hairspray: A light spray of hairspray on the build plate is a popular method of
aiding adhesion to the bed. We’re not a fan of this method as after a few prints, a
build-up of solid hairspray can accumulate on the bed and it’s tricky to clean. With
the advent of heated build plates on most printers, the need for hairspray has
decreased but sometimes it may just be the only thing at hand when you’re in a
pinch.
Activate Z-hop
If your 3D printer’s nozzle is colliding with your 3D print mid-print resulting in poor
print quality or even the part dislodging completely, activating your printer’s Z-hop
function may be the solution. Activating Z-hop tells your printer to increase the
extruder’s Z-height by a certain amount at the end of each print move ensuring that it
hops over any problem areas, decreasing the risk of collision.
Decrease Flow
Activate Z-Hop
Lower travel speeds
Eliminate uneven drafts
Generate manual supports
Problem: Stringing
Dry Filament
PLA is prone to absorbing moisture from the air when left out, resulting in weaker
interlayer bonding on the molecular level. When printing wet filament, small wispy
strings can appear on your prints after your printer finishes printing a layer and moves on
to the next. In severe cases, steam and small popping noises can be noticed exiting the
nozzle when printing . Wet filament can be rescued by dehydrating it in an oven at 60°c
for a minimum of 6 hours or by storing the filament in a container with ample
amounts of desiccant for a minimum of 72 hours.
Increasing the retraction speed and distance will decrease that amount of material that
oozes out of the nozzle at the beginning of a move. Turning on retraction settings in your
slicer will tell your printer to actively rewind some filament at the end of a print move,
causing a negative pressure to build up in the nozzle. This encourages less filament to
ooze out upon the completion of a print move. Begin at the lowest recommended setting
and adjust in 10mm/s increments for retraction speed and 0.2mm increments for
retraction distance. NOTE: Retraction distance does vary depending on the type of
feeding system your printer uses: Bowden or direct drive. Don’t know what your printer
has? Pay close attention to where the feeder gears are in relation to the hot end. If the
feeder gears are right next to your hot end, you’ve got a direct drive printer. If there is
some distance between your feeder gears and the hot end - separated by a tube - you’ve
got yourself a Bowden setup. Adjust your retraction distances accordingly using the
figures below.
Decrease Flow
If you're getting excessive stringing/blobbing, the problem may be linked to over
extrusion. Try reducing the flow of filament in 5% increments and check that the filament
is extruding correctly and not over extruding. You should start to see a decrease in the
amount of stringing, blobbing and printing of unwanted artifacts on your model. Try
printing a calibration cube with your new reduced flow settings to check that the flow has
not been decreased too much.
Temporary adhesives
If you’re looking for a more temporary solution or are just in a pinch and need something
to stick to the build plate, there are a few temporary solutions to the problem:
Painters Tape: Blue painters tape can serve as a great temporary solution to
increase your part’s adhesion to the build plate. It’s easily applied and even easier to
remove after a print. Be sure to stick your tape down evenly, ensuring that there are
no overlaps in the tape that could cause high spots in your otherwise level build
plate.
Hairspray: A light spray of hairspray on the build plate is a popular method of
aiding adhesion to the bed. We’re not a fan of this method as after a few prints, a
build-up of solid hairspray can accumulate on the bed and it’s tricky to clean. With
the advent of heated build plates on most printers, the need for hairspray has
decreased but sometimes it may just be the only thing at hand when you’re in a
pinch.
Increase Perimeters
Increasing the number of perimeters on your 3D print increases the number of outer
layers it has. Increasing the number of perimeters in your print will also result in an
increased print time. If you’re unsure of how many perimeters to use, we think 3-5
perimeters are a good starting point. This can be modified in your slicer by changing the
value of the “wall line count” “and top and bottom layers”.
Reorient Print
The weakest part of a FDM 3D print will always occur between layers as opposed to
along them. With that in mind, part strength can often be increased by simply reorienting
your part when slicing.
Hairspray: To aid in print removal give your print bed a light spray of unscented
hairspray before printing. The hairspray serves as an intermediate agent that sits
between the print and the build surface. This will aid with both initial first layer
adhesion as well as acting as a release agent when the print has completed. Ensure
your hairspray contains plenty of vinyl, acetate and copolymer for best results.
Painters Tape: Blue painters’ tape can serve as a great temporary solution to
increase your part’s adhesion to the build plate as well as making it easy to remove
your printed part when you’re done. It’s easily applied and even easier to remove
after a print. Be sure to stick your tape down evenly, ensuring that there are no
overlaps in the tape that could cause high spots in your otherwise level build plate.