When you are printing there are a lot of different 3D printing filaments to work with. Some are good for modelling, others are flexible like rubber, but more often than not you will hear the name PLA used for filament printing.
PLA is a plant based plastic that is very easy to print and can do so at relatively low temperatures. It is forgiving of your mess-ups and is easy top process to make it look amazing. If you are just starting out in 3D printing then these PLA picks will help you on the journey.
HATCHBOX PLA
Perfect for models that you will paint
A reliable filament for projects that require post-production.
Pros:
- Affordable
- 26 Colors to choose from
- Works great in lower and higher end printers
Cons:
- Spool can knot up during prints if not carefully adjusted
While Hatchbox PLA isn't the best-looking plastic you can buy, it is cheap, reliable and can be used to make many prints, from practical to flowery. I like to use Hatchbox to print models that require finishing, like cosplay armor and helmets, as it sands well and creates an excellent finish when painted.
Rainbow PLA Filament by TTYT3D
Add a splash of color to every print
Create beautiful prints that shine in every shade!
Pros:
- Affordable
- Huge range of colors to choose from
Cons:
- Printers will need adjustments to deal with initial adhesions
For models that aren't going to be post-processed, you need something that will look beautiful straight from the print bed. This gorgeous rainbow PLA has a shiny metallic color, and the transitional colors blend beautifully.
Eryone Silk PLA Filament
Make your models look like a million bucks
A metallic pick to make every print shine.
Pros:
- Gold and Silver options
- Vibrant color
- Excellent results
Cons:
- Requires some tweaking for perfect prints
- Filament is a bit slippery
Like the rainbow filament, this metallic plastic from Eryone is perfect for statues and vases that look fantastic with no work afterwards. The metallic sheen also helps to hide layer lines and any issues that might crop up.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly company
- More than 15 colors to choose from
- Matte delivers stellar quality prints
Cons:
- Requires temp and printer bed adjustments at first
- More fragile than "normal" PLA
Polymaker makes a lot of fantastic PLA, and PolyTerra is no exception. Not only is it a lovely matte color, but for every spool sold, a tree is planted to replace the material used. Better for the environment and your models. It's a win-win.
AMOLEN PLA Red Gold Filament
Make statues amazing without paint
Create works of art with no post-production required.
Pros:
- More than 20 colors to choose from
- Delivers gorgeous high quality prints
- Super affordable
Cons:
- Print bed will need adjustments to avoid adhesion issues
- Filament can snap
- Silk filament, so it's a bit finickier than "normal" PLA
I add this in for the simple reason that it looks beautiful. The gold and red transition is excellent, and it is perfect for so many models. Even shelf brackets would look classy in this PLA.
Have fun (PLA)ying
It's very rare that I use any 3D printing material other than PLA these days as it is the most versatile and easy to print plastic around. If you are looking for an excellent PLA to use in your projects, then Hatchbox PLA is perfect, especially if you are post-processing.
If you want something a little more flashy, then the Rainbow PLA from TTYT3D might suit your needs. I use it for statues and vases to really make them pop.
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