Discover the best practices for 3D printing with PLA filament—from choosing the right temperature to selecting the ideal build surface. This step-by-step guide will help you improve print quality and achieve greater success.
For years, PLA has remained one of the most popular materials in the 3D printing industry. It’s easy to print, available in a wide variety of colors and special effects, and compatible with almost all 3D printers. Mastering PLA is an essential skill for makers, ideal for functional prototypes, display models, jigs, office tools, and even cosplay costumes. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to optimize your PLA printing process and introduce a high-performance material: 22Network PLA Plus (PLA+) 3D Printer Filament.
What is PLA Plastic?
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic polyester commonly sourced from renewable resources like corn starch, tapioca roots, or sugarcane. A key advantage of PLA is that it is industrially compostable. Although often used in food packaging and biodegradable medical products, it has also become the go-to material for 3D printing beginners.
PLA is stiff, available in countless colors, and works on almost any 3D printer. It exhibits low thermal contraction, meaning prints are less prone to warping and offer good dimensional stability—making it suitable for large parts. However, PLA is relatively brittle and susceptible to cracking under impact. It also softens at temperatures above 50°C, making it unsuitable for high-temperature applications.
Most of this engine was printed in PLA (Design by CATIAV5FTW)
Optimizing Your Hardware for PLA
Hotend Requirements:
- Nozzle Temperature: 200°C is a good starting point. Adjust up or down by 5°C depending on the brand or color. For example, wood-filled PLA prints better at around 180°C.
- All-Metal Hotend: Not required—a PTFE-lined hotend works perfectly.
- Abrasion-Resistant Nozzle: Generally not needed, though specialty PLAs (e.g., glow-in-the-dark) may require a hardened nozzle.
- Cooling: Always enable layer cooling at 100% to ensure clean overhangs and sharp details.
Build Surface Requirements:
- Heated Bed: Not mandatory, but setting it to 60°C improves adhesion.
- Surface Options: Glass (for glossy bottoms), PEI sheets (excellent adhesion), GeckoTek, or Wham Bam PEX are all great choices.
- Adhesives: Use Magigoo, Stick Stick, or 3DGloop! for extra sticking power, especially for large or tricky prints.
Switching PLA Filaments
When changing spools or colors:
- Heat the hotend to 120°C and gently pull out the filament.
- If needed, increase to 200°C to fully clear the nozzle.
- Load the new filament and extrude until the color runs pure—especially when switching from dark to light colors
Achieving the Perfect First Layer
The first layer is the foundation of a successful print. Make sure to:
- Level the print bed properly.
- Set the correct nozzle-to-bed distance.
- Use a suitable build surface or adhesive.
For consistently excellent results, try 22Network PLA Plus (PLA+) 3D Printer Filament 1.75mm. This filament offers higher strength, minimal warping, and dimensional accuracy of ±0.02mm. Its neat winding ensures tangle-free printing, and it works with most FDM printers.
Troubleshooting Common PLA Issues
- Poor First Layer Adhesion: Re-level the bed and check nozzle height.
- Stringing or Overhang Sag: Adjust retraction settings and maximize cooling.
- Bumpy Surface: Print from an SD card to avoid data bottlenecks, or tune retraction.
- Layer Separation: Increase nozzle temperature by 5°C increments.
- No Extrusion: Check for hotend clogs, clean the extruder gear, and ensure proper tension.
Conclusion
By fine-tuning your printer settings and using high-quality materials like 22Network PLA Plus, you can significantly improve the success and quality of your PLA prints. This filament is ideal for functional parts, detailed prototypes, and everyday printing projects.
Ready to upgrade your 3D printing experience?
Get your spool of 22Network PLA Plus (PLA+) Filament on Amazon today and start printing with confidence!
If you have questions or want to share your own tips, feel free to join the 22Network Happy printing!
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