PLA 3D Printer Filament - What you actually need to know

PLA is the filament most people start with, and honestly, it's the one a lot of people stick with. It's easy to print, forgiving if your settings aren't perfect, and it produced clean, good-looking results without much effort.

If you're printing at home or in a small workshop, PLA is usually the sensible choice.

Our filament is standard 1.75mm PLA, supplied on 1kg spools, and available in a range of colours. Nothing unusual or proprietary - just solid, reliable PLA that works the way you expect it to.

Why PLA is so popular

There’s a reason PLA is everywhere. Compared to other materials, it’s far less fussy.

It doesn’t warp much, it doesn’t smell terrible while printing, and it doesn’t need an enclosure or exotic build surfaces. Most printers can handle it straight out of the box, which makes it ideal for beginners, but also convenient for experienced users who just want prints to work without constant tweaking.

PLA also gives a smooth surface finish and holds detail well, which is why it’s used for everything from functional parts to display models.

If you would like to be sure that PLA will be the right choice for you, check out our helpful printer filament guide.

About the 50% recycled content

This PLA is made using 50% recycled post-industrial PLA. That sounds complicated, but in simple terms it means the recycled material comes from clean manufacturing waste, not household recycling.

It’s unused PLA that would otherwise be thrown away during production, reprocessed and blended back in.

From a printing point of view, there’s no downside. It behaves like normal PLA - same strength, same finish, same settings. The difference is simply that less new plastic is needed to make it.

PLA itself is plant-based, but it’s worth being clear: it’s not biodegradable at home. It only breaks down in industrial composting facilities, which aren’t common. That’s why reducing virgin plastic where possible still matters.

Will it work on my printer?

If your printer uses 1.75mm filament, then yes - it will work.

That covers the vast majority of modern desktop printers. If your printer manual mentions 1.75mm PLA, you’re good to go. No adapters, no special setup.

It’s commonly used on printers from brands like Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality, Anycubic, Elegoo, Flashforge, Qidi, Artillery, Flsun, and many others.

The only machines it won’t fit are older models that require 2.85mm or 3mm filament, such as some older UltiMaker or LulzBot printers.

Bambu Lab AMS users

If you’re using a Bambu Lab AMS, this filament works exactly as it should. The spool size, winding, and friction all play nicely with the system, so loading, unloading, and colour switching are straightforward. No special settings are needed.

Do I need an enclosure?

No. PLA prints happily on open-frame machines.

An enclosure won’t hurt, but it isn’t necessary. That’s one of the reasons PLA is so widely used - it doesn’t demand a controlled environment to get good results.

Recommended print settings (as a starting point)

If you already have a PLA profile you trust, you can probably just use that.

As a general guide:

• Nozzle: 0.4mm works perfectly

• Print temperature: Around 200°C

Lower if you’re getting stringing

Slightly higher if layers aren’t bonding well

• Bed temperature: Up to 60°C for larger parts

• Layer height:

0.2mm for everyday prints

Lower for detail, higher for speed

• Print speed:

Slower speeds for detail

Faster speeds (especially on CoreXY or Bambu printers) work very well with PLA

This recycled PLA behaves the same as standard PLA, so there’s no need to reinvent your settings.

Does PLA need drying?

Most of the time, no.

PLA doesn’t absorb moisture as aggressively as materials like PETG or Nylon. That said, if filament has been stored badly, moisture can creep in.

You’ll usually notice it as popping sounds from the nozzle, a rough surface finish, or inconsistent extrusion.

If drying is needed, it should be done gently - around 40–45°C for several hours in a filament dryer or food dehydrator. High heat or improvised methods (radiators, heat guns, sunlight) are more likely to damage the filament than help it.

Common problems (and the simple fixes)

If prints aren’t sticking:

• Clean the bed

• Re-level

• Slow down the first layer

• Increase bed temperature slightly

If you’re seeing stringing:

• Lower the nozzle temperature

• Increase cooling

• Tweak retraction and travel settings

If extrusion looks inconsistent:

• Check for partial clogs

• Make sure the spool feeds freely

• Increase temperature slightly if needed

PLA softens at around 55–60°C, so it’s not suitable for parts that will sit in hot cars or near heat sources. It’s also not food-safe due to pigments and the way printed layers trap bacteria.

Colours and consistency

All colours print the same. There’s no difference in strength or behaviour - only appearance. Pigmentation is consistent, and surface quality remains clean across the range.

Recycling and returns

PLA can’t go into normal household recycling in the UK. Some specialist recycling schemes and makerspaces accept it, but availability varies.

If there’s ever a genuine manufacturing fault - such as diameter issues, contamination, colour problems, or a true factory tangle - filament can be returned even if it’s been opened. These issues are rare, but they’re taken seriously.

Final thoughts

PLA is popular because it works. This filament doesn’t try to reinvent it - it just delivers reliable PLA with a reduced environmental impact, and without demanding special hardware or settings.

If you want prints that come out clean, consistent, and without unnecessary hassle, PLA remains a very safe bet.