Filament Guide
PLA+ Filament Guide
PLA but tougher. A meaningful upgrade for functional parts.
Last updated: March 2026
TL;DR
- PLA with additives for better toughness and layer adhesion — won't shatter like standard PLA
- Same ease of printing as PLA, slightly higher temps (205-225°C nozzle)
- Does not fix PLA's heat weakness — still softens at ~60°C
- Worth it for functional PLA parts that take occasional impacts or stress
PLA+
PLA Plus / Enhanced PLA
PLA but tougher. A meaningful upgrade for functional parts.
Beginner
Very Popular
PLA+ is not a standardised material - it's a marketing term used by filament manufacturers to describe PLA blended with impact modifiers, flexibilisers, or other additives that address standard PLA's brittleness. Each brand formulates it differently, so quality varies.
In general, PLA+ offers meaningfully better impact resistance and layer adhesion than standard PLA, while keeping the same ease of printing.[1] It does not significantly improve heat resistance - the ~60°C softening point remains largely unchanged.[2]
It's the right upgrade when you need a part to survive the occasional drop or flex under stress, but don't need outdoor durability or chemical resistance.
Chemistry
PLA base + proprietary impact modifiers or rubber-phase tougheners
Print Temp
Heat Resistance
~60°C - same as standard PLA. No improvement.
vs Standard PLA
~30-60% higher impact strength, better layer adhesion
Standardised?
No - formulation varies by brand. Test per-brand.
Price Premium
Typically 10-25% more than standard PLA
Pros
- Much tougher than standard PLA
- Still very easy to print
- Better layer bonding = stronger parts
- Still widely available in many colors
- Usually only marginally more expensive
Cons
- No heat resistance improvement over standard PLA
- Quality varies significantly between brands
- Slightly harder to get ultra-fine detail than PLA
- Not biodegradable (additives break certification)
Best Used For
Functional clips & brackets
Tool holders
Phone stands
Snap-fit enclosures
Light-duty hinges
Replacement parts
Niche Tips
Brand variation is real. major brands' basic PLA, eSUN PLA+, and Overture PLA+ all differ measurably in impact strength. Don't assume all PLA+ is equal.
PLA+ typically prints slightly better with a bed temp of 40-60°C for adhesion, even though it's technically optional.
Storage & Humidity
Target: below 45% RH. Same as standard PLA - the additives in PLA+ don't significantly change moisture absorption behavior. Store sealed with desiccant between uses.
Drying: 50-55°C for 8 hours. Same temperature limit as PLA applies - don't exceed 55°C or the spool may warp.
Bed Adhesion
Best surfaces: PEI (smooth or textured), glass. Same as standard PLA - highly compatible with common print surfaces.
Recommended bed temp: 40-60°C. A 50-60°C bed is recommended even though it's often listed as optional - adhesion and first layer consistency improve noticeably.
If getting first layer adhesion trouble, a thin glue stick layer on PEI usually resolves it without needing surface changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PLA+ stronger than PLA?
PLA+ is tougher than standard PLA, meaning it absorbs more energy before breaking - but it is not necessarily stronger in terms of tensile strength. The main improvement is impact resistance and reduced brittleness. Standard PLA shatters under sharp impacts, while PLA+ tends to flex or deform before failing.
Can I use PLA+ settings for regular PLA?
PLA+ and standard PLA use very similar print settings. Nozzle temperature for PLA+ is typically 5-10°C higher (210-220°C vs 200-210°C), and PLA+ sometimes benefits from slightly slower speeds for best layer adhesion. Bed temperature is the same at 40-60°C. You can usually swap between them with minimal setting changes.
Is PLA+ worth the extra cost?
For decorative prints, prototypes, and non-functional parts, standard PLA is fine and the savings add up. For functional parts that experience any kind of impact or stress - clips, mounts, enclosures, hinges - PLA+ is worth the typical $2-4/kg premium. The improved layer adhesion alone makes functional prints noticeably more durable.
Does PLA+ have better heat resistance than PLA?
No. PLA+ has the same glass transition temperature as standard PLA (55-60°C). The additives in PLA+ improve toughness and layer bonding, not thermal performance. If you need better heat resistance, look at PETG (80°C), ABS (100°C), or annealed PLA.
References
- Bambu Lab Wiki — Filament Guide. wiki.bambulab.com
- All3DP — 3D Printing Materials Guide. all3dp.com
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