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PLA print settings Polylactic Acid
The default beginner filament: prints cool, almost no warping, no enclosure needed. Plant-derived. Great detail and easy bed adhesion; the trade-off is low heat resistance (parts soften around 50–60 °C) and brittleness under sustained load — keep finished PLA parts out of hot cars and direct sun.
PLA settings by brand
| Filament | Material | Nozzle | Bed | Max speed | Enclosure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prusament PLAPrusament | PLA | 200–220 °C | 40–60 °C | ≤ 200 | Not needed | src Achecked 2026-06-10 |
| Polymaker PolyTerra PLAPolymaker | PLA | 190–230 °C | 25–60 °C | ≤ 70 | Not needed | src Achecked 2026-06-10 |
| Polymaker PolyMax PLAPolymaker | PLA | 190–230 °C | 25–60 °C | ≤ 60 | Not needed | src Achecked 2026-06-10 |
| Bambu Lab PLA BasicBambu Lab | PLA | 190–230 °C | 35–45 °C | ≤ 300 | Not needed | src Achecked 2026-06-10 |
| eSUN PLA+eSUN | PLA | 210–230 °C | 45–60 °C | ≤ 100 | Not needed | src Achecked 2026-06-10 |
| HATCHBOX PLAHATCHBOX | PLA | 180–220 °C | 50–60 °C | n/p | Not needed | src Bchecked 2026-06-10 |
| SUNLU PLA+SUNLU | PLA | 200–230 °C | 50–60 °C | n/p | Not needed | src Bchecked 2026-06-10 |
| SUNLU PLA MetaSUNLU | PLA | 185–210 °C | 50–65 °C | ≤ 100 | Not needed | src Bchecked 2026-06-10 |
Click any filament for the full spec sheet and source link. “n/p” = not published by the manufacturer.
What PLA is good (and bad) for
- Prototypes and visual models
- Toys, figurines, miniatures
- Indoor display pieces
- Anything where heat resistance does not matter
- Car interiors / outdoor sun exposure
- Functional parts under sustained load or heat
- Enclosures around hot electronics
Drying & storage
PLA absorbs moisture slowly. Drying is optional unless the spool is old or printing rough/popping; 45–55 °C for 4–6 h then keep sealed with desiccant.
Bed adhesion
Bonds well to clean PEI, glass with glue stick, or textured plates. A heated bed is helpful but optional.
Heat resistance
Low. Glass transition ~55–60 °C; unmodified PLA parts deform in a hot car or direct summer sun.
Compare PLA with other materials
PLA FAQ
What temperature do you print PLA at?
Across the 8 PLA filaments in this database, manufacturers recommend nozzle temperatures of 180–230 °C and bed temperatures of 25–65 °C. Exact values are per-brand (see the table); always run a temperature tower on a new spool.
Does PLA need an enclosure?
No. PLA prints fine without an enclosure.
How do you dry PLA?
PLA absorbs moisture slowly. Drying is optional unless the spool is old or printing rough/popping; 45–55 °C for 4–6 h then keep sealed with desiccant.
How heat-resistant is PLA?
Low. Glass transition ~55–60 °C; unmodified PLA parts deform in a hot car or direct summer sun.