PLA+ filament: what it is and how it differs from PLA

What is behind the PLA+ label

The base is ordinary PLA, that is, polylactic acid made from renewable raw materials. Manufacturers add plasticisers or other polymers so that parts do not snap as easily when bent and the layers hold together better. They call it PLA+, PLA Pro, Tough PLA and so on. None of these names is standardised, so two filaments with a plus from different brands can have quite different properties.

It prints almost exactly like ordinary PLA, usually at a slightly higher nozzle temperature.

What PLA+ improves and what it does not

• Better: resistance to impact and bending, fewer cracked parts when snapping together, often better layer adhesion.
• The same: the temperature at which it softens stays low (around 55 to 60 °C), see glass transition. In a baking hot car or in the sun it will still deform.
• Worse: some kinds have a slightly duller surface or more stringing.

If you need a tougher part that can take more, PETG is often the better choice.

How it works with us

In the calculator you choose between PLA (€8 per kg) and PETG (€9 per kg), and that is only the material share of the price. You do not choose a specific brand or a PLA+ type of modification when ordering, and we do not promise one. For most parts, such as brackets, small boxes, covers or prototypes, ordinary PLA is perfectly sufficient.

Do you need the part not to crack when it is snapped in or bent? Choose PETG or adjust the model, for example with thicker walls and a stronger infill. Strength can be set to light (10%), standard (15%) or strong (40%). The details of infill are under infill.

Choosing between PLA and PETG when you want a more durable part

If you load, bend or snap the part, choose PETG and do not let the name PLA+ mislead you. It is a little more flexible, resists moisture and withstands higher temperatures. PLA, on the other hand, is stiffer and more accurate in its dimensions, and suits models, display pieces and parts with no load. The differences are in the comparison of PLA and PETG.

You see the price for both in the calculator right after uploading a model. The difference between them on small parts is usually a matter of cents.