PLA is the material most 3D prints are made from, and it is what our FDM printers run on. It prints cleanly, holds its shape, comes in a wide range of colours and keeps the price of a part low. If you are not sure which material to choose, PLA is usually the right place to start.
Upload your model for an instant price
Choose a PLA colour in the quote, set the size and infill, and the price appears straight away. Prices include GST, and shipping is a flat $15 per order anywhere in Australia, free on orders of $80 or more.
What PLA is
PLA (polylactic acid) is a plastic made from plant sugars and starches rather than oil. It melts at a relatively low temperature and shrinks very little as it cools, which is why it prints so reliably: parts come off the printer true to size, with crisp edges and little warping. If you want to know more about where it comes from, see how PLA is made, and for a wider look at the material, PLA in 3D printing.
What PLA is good for
- Display models and figures. Characters, busts, architectural and scale models, and anything that will sit on a shelf.
- Prototypes. Checking the size, shape and fit of a design before it is made another way. See prototypes and functional parts.
- Household and replacement parts. Clips, knobs, brackets, organisers and covers. See 3D printed replacement parts.
- Cosplay props and armour. Large, light pieces that are sanded and painted. See cosplay 3D printing.
- Large parts. Our FDM printers take parts up to 400 x 400 x 450 mm, far bigger than our resin printer.
Strengths and limits
PLA is stiff and strong for its weight, and it is the easiest material to print accurately. It is a good fit for most indoor parts.
It does have limits you should know about before you order:
- Heat. PLA softens at a lower temperature than plastics such as ABS or PETG. A part left in a hot car or in direct summer sun can sag or warp.
- Toughness. PLA is rigid rather than flexible. It can crack where a tougher plastic would bend, particularly in thin sections that are flexed repeatedly.
- Layer direction. Like every FDM print, a PLA part is weakest between its layers. Our guide to designing for FDM covers orientation, walls and tolerances.
- Food contact. We do not offer food-safe PLA at the moment. Our article on food-safe PLA explains why it is a special case.
If your part needs to flex, TPU is in the instant quote. If it needs heat or impact resistance, choose PETG in the instant quote. ABS and nylon are not in the instant quote at the moment.
Standard PLA colours
Standard PLA comes in black, white, grey, red, cherry red, orange, yellow, gold, green, dark blue, sky blue, purple, pink and brown. There is also rainbow PLA, where the colour changes along the filament, so a print shows bands of colour as it gets taller.
If you want a different finish, PLA also comes in several speciality versions:
- Silk PLA for a shiny, metallic-looking surface.
- Matte PLA for a flat finish that hides layer lines.
- Glow in the dark PLA for parts that glow after being in the light.
- Carbon fibre, wood, marble and translucent PLA.
Not sure which to pick? Our 3D printing materials guide compares every material we sell.
How PLA pricing works
The price of a PLA part is mostly based on the weight of plastic that is actually printed, plus a small charge for the volume of the part. The weight depends on two things you control in the quote:
- Size. Scaling a model up increases the plastic used in every direction, so the price rises quickly with size.
- Infill. The inside of a PLA part is printed as a partial grid rather than solid plastic. More infill means more plastic and a higher price. Our infill percentage guide shows real prices at different settings.
The minimum price is $1 per part. Small parts often land on that minimum: a 20 mm cube in black PLA at the default 20% infill is $1.00. Standard PLA is the lowest-cost material we offer; silk, glow and the special PLAs cost a little more per gram.
Getting your file ready
Upload an STL, 3MF, OBJ or STEP file up to 600 MB. Check that the size shown in the quote is the size you expect, and scale it there if it is not. If the file will not open, or the part is bigger than 400 x 400 x 450 mm, email it to quotes@3dprinting.zone for a free manual quote. Our guide to preparing an STL for print covers the common file problems.
For fine detail on small parts, such as miniatures, resin 3D printing may suit better. For everything else, see our online 3D printing service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest PLA part you can print?
400 x 400 x 450 mm. Bigger models can often be split into pieces and joined after printing, or sent to us for a manual quote.
How strong is PLA?
It is stiff and strong enough for most indoor parts, brackets and prototypes. For parts that take a load, raise the infill; 40% or more is a sensible start. PLA is not a good choice for parts that get hot. For parts that need to flex, choose TPU.
Which PLA colour should I choose?
Grey or white suits parts you plan to paint. Black suits parts that will be used as printed. If you want a particular look, compare silk, matte and speciality PLA.
How much does a PLA print cost?
From $1 per part, with the price depending mostly on how much plastic the part uses. Upload your file to see the exact price, including GST. Shipping is $15 per order, free on orders of $80 or more.
Can PLA go outside?
PLA handles indoor use well. Outdoors, heat and strong sun can soften and deform it over time, so it is not the best choice for parts that live in the sun. Email us if you need something for outdoor use.
How soon will my PLA order be printed?
For weekday orders, we normally start printing the same day if the colour is in stock. If it is not, it can take up to 3 business days for the material to arrive.