Table of Contents
It can be challenging to determine the best PLA temperature. To learn everything you need to know, look over this quick guide.
Quick Guide To Find The Best PLA Temperature for Better 3D Prints
Ideal PLA Temperatures
In an ideal world, you’d be able to set your printer to the perfect temperature and then simply hit print. In reality, there is no such thing as the ideal temperature for PLA. Instead, achieving this “holy” PLA print temperature requires a lot of trial and error.
When it comes to temperature, PLA is quite forgiving, and as long as you don’t go too far in either direction, your prints should be fine. PLA is also a good place to start experimenting because it is easier to work with than ABS or PETG filament. It’s also worth remembering that different colors and brands of PLA will print at different temperatures.
We’ll go over the ideal temperature range for both the hot end and the print bed in this article, as well as warning signs that the temperatures need to be adjusted. Let’s get started!
Quick Guide To Find The Best PLA Temperature for Better 3D Prints
Hot End: Perfect Range
There isn’t a single PLA print temperature, as much as it would be ideal. Instead, depending on your needs, you can print with various temperatures. PLA has a temperature range of 190 to 220 degrees Celsius.
If your layers aren’t sticking together, you can usually fix it by heating up your hot end, but be careful. If the extruder gets too hot, the PLA filament will become extra soft and flimsy. Your prints may become sloppy and slack as a result of this.
Hot End: Red Flags
The inability of a printer to bridge is a sign that the hot end is too hot (i.e., to print material horizontally to link two raised parts of a model). This could indicate that the plastic is too hot to cool appropriately. Reduce the temperature of the hot end to help with this.
If your prints aren’t sticking to the print bed, you may need to raise the temperature of your hot end. Inadequately hotends can also make it challenging to print tight corners.
Experimentation is one of the best ways to find the ideal hot-end temperature. You’ll figure out what works best for the filament you’re using by gradually adjusting the temperature, either up or down.
As previously stated, different brands and colors of filaments may have different ideal print temperatures. A spool of white PLA, for example, may print best at around 215 °C, while a spool of the black filament may print best at 210 °C. Even minor numerical differences can have an impact on your prints.
Quick Guide To Find The Best PLA Temperature for Better 3D Prints
Heated Bed: Perfect Range
In 3D printing, heated beds are essential. Most 3D printers now have them, and they must always be set to a specific temperature. The recommended PLA print temperature is 70 degrees Celsius, but this does not always work. For example, we discovered that the best temperature range is between 55 and 70 degrees Celsius.
Heated Bed: Red Flags
If your prints aren’t adhering to the bed, this is the most obvious sign that your bed temperature is too low. If they’re not sticking as well as you’d like, raise the temperature slightly. A warmer bed softens the plastic, making it easier to attach.
Just be careful not to overheat your bed; otherwise, your prints may develop “elephant foot” (as seen in the photo). Elephant foot happens when the printer’s bed gets too hot, melting the first couple layers of the print but smooshing them down by the weight of the print.
Elephant’s foot occurs more frequently when the print is hefty, as more force is exerted on the print. Reduce the temperature of the bed to eliminate this obnoxious side effect. Just keep in mind that you don’t want to make the bed too cold.
Quick Guide To Find The Best PLA Temperature for Better 3D Prints
External Factors
The temperature of your PLA print can also be affected by external factors. For example, if a cool breeze comes in through a window, you may want to raise the hot end and print bed temperatures a few degrees. Air conditioning vents could also throw off the printing temperature.
Building an enclosure for your printer is one of the best things you can do for your prints. Enclosures have two functions in terms of temperature: they keep outside temperatures from affecting your prints, and they keep heat inside. The Ikea Lack 3D printer enclosure, which is particularly well-known among DIY makers, is a low-cost and straightforward option.
Quick Guide To Find The Best PLA Temperature for Better 3D Prints
Finding the Perfect Temperature
We’ve said it before, and we’ll repeat it: the best way to figure out the temperature for both the bed and the hot end is through trial and error.
If your prints are sloppy, reduce the hot end temperature by a few degrees. You’ll probably need to raise the bed temperature if your prints are failing or not to stick to the print bed. However, keep an eye out for elephant foot, which can be a sign that your bed is too hot.
Experimenting is the best way to find the right print temperature for your specific PLA brand and color as long as you stay within the given ranges. A temperature tower (shown above) printed in the filament you’re using might be helpful. This model, created by gaaZolee on Thingiverse, is trendy, but numerous other models are available online.
Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page to let us know your ideas, and we would appreciate seeing pictures of your works of art!
