PLA (polylactide) is a plastic made from corn starch. It sounds odd, but it\u2019s the most popular material in the world of 3D printing. And for good reason: it prints easily, looks good, barely smells while printing and is moderately priced.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re ordering 3D printing for the first time and don\u2019t know which material to choose, in 70% of cases the answer is PLA. With us, prices start from 5 UAH\/g<\/a>, which makes it the most affordable option.<\/p>\n PLA prints at a nozzle temperature of 190\u2013220\u00b0C. The bed is heated to 50\u201360\u00b0C, although it can be printed without heating. It\u2019s one of the easiest materials for a printer.<\/p>\n Layers go down evenly and detail is high. If you need a figurine with small features or a model with thin walls, PLA gives the cleanest result. Shrinkage is minimal, and the part comes out exactly to the file\u2019s dimensions.<\/p>\n Decor and figurines.<\/strong> Statuettes, vases, stands, lithophanes. Recently we printed a chess set for a client \u2014 32 pieces, each weighing 8\u201315 g. PLA captured the details perfectly: the horses\u2019 faces, the points of the crown. The total weight was 340 g, and the whole set cost 1,700 UAH.<\/p>\n Electronics enclosures.<\/strong> If an enclosure sits on a desk or shelf, PLA lasts for years. I\u2019ve printed enclosures for Arduino projects, Raspberry Pi and home-made weather stations.<\/p>\n Prototypes.<\/strong> Before making the final part in a more expensive material, it makes sense to print a prototype in PLA. Check the dimensions, see how it fits. A PLA prototype is cheaper than a PETG one.<\/p>\n Organisers and household items.<\/strong> Pen pots, cable holders, drawer sorters. These things carry no load, and PLA works flawlessly for them.<\/p>\n Heat.<\/strong> PLA starts to soften at 55\u201360\u00b0C. Leave a part on a car dashboard in summer and it will deform. It happened once: a client ordered a PLA phone holder for the car. A week later he wrote that the holder had \u201cmelted\u201d. We reprinted it in PETG, which holds up to 80\u00b0C.<\/p>\n Outdoors.<\/strong> Long exposure to the sun breaks PLA down. PETG<\/a> is better for outdoor parts.<\/p>\n Mechanical loads.<\/strong> PLA is rigid but brittle. It can crack under a sharp impact. PETG is the one for those jobs. There\u2019s a comparison on the PLA vs PETG vs TPU<\/a> page.<\/p>\n PLA has the widest palette of any material. White, black and grey are the basics. Plus red, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink and purple. And also clear, matte, glitter, \u201cwood-effect\u201d and \u201cmarble-effect\u201d.<\/p>\n I always have 12\u201315 colours. See the current palette on the materials<\/a> page.<\/p>\n A simple rule: a part indoors with no impacts \u2014 PLA. Outdoors, in a car or under load \u2014 PETG.<\/p>\n PLA is considered biodegradable, but there\u2019s a catch. It breaks down only in industrial composters at 60\u00b0C. Under normal conditions it will lie around for decades. More on this in the article on how eco-friendly PLA is<\/a>, and about plastic recycling and filament made from recycled bottles in the article 3D printing and the environment<\/a>.<\/p>\n A logo for a reception desk.<\/strong> 30\u00d715 cm, white PLA, 120 g. Cost: 600 UAH. The client then painted it in the corporate colour.<\/p>\n A set of caps for aquarium tubes.<\/strong> 12 pieces at 3 g each. 36 g in total, costing 180 UAH. The client had looked for them in every shop and couldn\u2019t find them \u2014 a non-standard size.<\/p>\nPrinting characteristics<\/h2>\n
What PLA is ideal for<\/h2>\n
What PLA isn\u2019t suitable for<\/h2>\n
Which colours are available<\/h2>\n
PLA and PETG: a quick comparison<\/h2>\n
\n
Is PLA eco-friendly?<\/h2>\n
Examples of real orders<\/h2>\n