PLA+
BeginnerPLA Plus / PLA Pro
PLA+ is regular PLA with impact modifiers added to improve toughness and reduce brittleness. It prints almost as easily as standard PLA but produces parts that are noticeably stronger and less prone to snapping. The best upgrade for anyone already comfortable with PLA.
⚠ IMPORTANT: Dry Your Filament Before Every Print
All filaments — including PLA+ — absorb moisture from the air. Printing with wet filament causes stringing, bubbling, weak layer adhesion, and poor surface finish. This is the single most overlooked cause of bad prints.
Always dry your filament per the manufacturer's recommendations printed on the spool label before printing, especially if the spool has been open for more than a few days or stored in a humid environment. Read our complete filament drying guide →
About the Temperatures & Speeds Listed Below
The print temperatures and speeds shown on this page are general industry ranges — not a one-size-fits-all prescription. Every printer brand and model has different capabilities. A Bambu Lab X1C can print PLA at 500 mm/s; an Ender 3 with a Bowden extruder performs best at 40–80 mm/s.
Always follow your specific printer manufacturer's recommended settings and the temperature range printed on your filament spool label. Start at the lower end of the range and dial in from there.
Material Properties
Best For
- Functional prototypes
- Parts needing more toughness than PLA
- Everyday objects
- Snap-fit parts
Avoid For
- High-temperature applications
- Outdoor UV exposure
Pro Tips
- 01Slightly higher temps than standard PLA for best layer bonding
- 02Excellent choice for functional parts without the complexity of PETG
- 03Most brands are compatible with standard PLA profiles
Dialed-In Print Profiles
These profiles are starting points based on community-tested settings for each printer. Your results may vary depending on your specific filament brand, ambient temperature, and printer condition. Always run a test print and adjust as needed. Speeds shown reflect what these printers are capable of — entry-level machines should use the lower end of any range.
⚠ Slightly higher temp than standard PLA. Use PLA profile as base.
⚠ Use PLA profile in PrusaSlicer. Increase temp by 5°C vs standard PLA.
Print Speed by Printer Tier
Print speeds vary dramatically by printer. The speeds listed in product specs (like "500 mm/s") are maximum capabilities — not recommended everyday speeds. Use this table as a general guide and always follow your printer manufacturer's recommended settings.
High-acceleration direct-drive systems. Follow manufacturer slicer presets.
Good performance at moderate speeds. Follow slicer presets for best results.
Start slow and tune up. Follow your printer manufacturer's recommended settings.
Quick Specs
Buy PLA+ Filament
Recommended brands: Hatchbox, eSUN, Polymaker, Bambu
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link — helps support FilamentMap