If you’re into 3D printing—whether for hobby projects, prototipos, or small-batch production—understanding the price per gram of PLA (ácido poliláctico) is essential for budgeting. PLA is one of the most popular 3D printing materials, but its price isn’t fixed: it ranges from 0.2 RMB/gram for standard bulk PLA a 3 RMB/gram for high-performance modified PLA. This guide breaks down the key factors affecting PLA prices, provides practical price references, shares cost-saving tips, and answers common questions to help you make cost-effective choices.
1. 4 Core Factors That Affect the Price Per Gram of 3D Printed PLA
The price per gram of PLA is shaped by tangible factors, from the material’s formulation to how much you buy. Below is a detailed breakdown with real numbers to show their impact:
(1) PLA Type & Actuación
PLA is divided into standard and modified grades, with modified PLA costing significantly more due to added properties (P.EJ., resistencia al calor, tenacidad):
| PLA Type | Gama de precios (RMB/gramo) | Características clave | Aplicaciones típicas |
| Standard PLA | 0.2 ~ 1 | Fácil de imprimir, biodegradable, bajo costo | Hobby models, Prototipos básicos, educational projects |
| Modified PLA – High-Temperature Resistant | 1 ~ 2 | Withstands 80–120°C (VS. 50–60°C for standard PLA) | Partes funcionales (P.EJ., small appliance brackets) |
| Modified PLA – Tough/Impact-Resistant | 1.2 ~ 2.5 | Less brittle, better for repeated use | Piezas de juguete, manijas de herramientas, wearable accessories |
| Modified PLA – Especialidad (Wood Grain/Glow-in-the-Dark) | 1.5 ~ 3 | Aesthetic effects; unique textures | Artículos decorativos, custom figurines |
Ejemplo: A 200g hobby model made with standard PLA costs 40–200 RMB (0.2–1 RMB/gramo). The same model made with wood-grain PLA would cost 300–600 RMB—1.5–3x more.
(2) Brand Origin & Calidad
Brand origin impacts both price and consistency. International brands offer premium quality but higher costs, while domestic brands provide cost-effective options for most users:
| Brand Category | Gama de precios (RMB/gramo) | Quality Traits | Popular Brands |
| Domestic Standard Brands | 0.2 ~ 0.8 | Buena imprimibilidad; suitable for most users | eSUN, Creencia, Polymaker (Domestic Line) |
| International Premium Brands | 0.8 ~ 2 | Control de calidad estricto; minimal stringing/warping | NatureWorks, prusiano, Hatchbox |
| Specialty Modified Brands | 1.5 ~ 3 | Expert-formulated for specific performance | ColorFabb (Tough PLA), Fiberlogy (High-Temp PLA) |
Nota clave: International brands like NatureWorks (a leading PLA resin producer) often set the benchmark for quality, but their filaments cost 2–4x more than basic domestic PLA.
(3) Purchase Volume
Buying PLA in bulk is one of the easiest ways to lower the price per gram. Suppliers offer discounts for larger orders, as they reduce packaging and logistics costs:
| Purchase Volume | Price Per Gram (Standard PLA) | Total Cost Example (1kg vs. 10kilos) | Discount vs. Lotes pequeños |
| Lote pequeño (<1kilos) | 0.5 ~ 1 RMB/gramo | 1kilos: 500 ~ 1,000 RMB | 0% (No Discount) |
| Medium Batch (1–10kg) | 0.3 ~ 0.7 RMB/gramo | 10kilos: 3,000 ~ 7,000 RMB | 20 ~ 40% |
| Lote grande (>10kilos) | 0.2 ~ 0.5 RMB/gramo | 20kilos: 4,000 ~ 10,000 RMB | 40 ~ 60% |
Ejemplo: A hobbyist buying 500g of standard PLA pays 0.8 RMB/gramo (400 total de RMB). A small business buying 10kg pays 0.4 RMB/gramo (4,000 total de RMB)—halving the price per gram.
(4) Oferta de mercado & Demand
PLA is made from renewable resources like corn or cassava, so its price is linked to agricultural commodity costs:
- Raw Material Fluctuations: If corn prices rise by 20%, standard PLA prices may increase by 10–15% (P.EJ., de 0.5 a 0.58 RMB/gramo).
- 3D Printing Demand Spikes: During peak seasons (P.EJ., holiday gift-making, school project deadlines), demand for PLA rises, pushing prices up by 5–10% temporarily.
2. Practical Price Reference Table for 3D Printed PLA
To quickly check if a PLA price is reasonable, use this table of common PLA types, brands, and their per-gram costs:
| PLA Category | Brand Type | Price Per Gram (RMB/gramo) | Mejor para |
| Standard PLA | Domestic | 0.2 ~ 0.8 | Proyectos de pasatiempo, Prototipos básicos |
| Standard PLA | International | 0.8 ~ 2 | High-precision models, Resultados consistentes |
| High-Temperature PLA | Domestic | 1 ~ 1.5 | Functional parts needing moderate heat resistance |
| High-Temperature PLA | International | 1.5 ~ 2.5 | Industrial prototypes, high-reliability parts |
| Specialty PLA (Wood Grain/Glow) | Domestic | 1.5 ~ 2.5 | Artículos decorativos, custom designs |
| Specialty PLA (Wood Grain/Glow) | International | 2 ~ 3 | Premium aesthetic projects, professional displays |
3. 5 Proven Tips to Reduce the Cost of 3D Printed PLA
You don’t have to sacrifice print quality to save money on PLA. Prueba estas estrategias:
(1) Choose Standard PLA for Non-Critical Projects
Only use modified PLA when you need its specific properties. Por ejemplo:
- Use standard PLA for a decorative plant pot (no heat/toughness needed) instead of wood-grain PLA—save 50–70% per gram.
- Reserve high-temperature PLA for parts like small lamp shades (exposed to mild heat) and use standard PLA for the base.
(2) Buy in Bulk (Even with Friends)
If you don’t need 10kg alone, team up with other 3D printing enthusiasts (P.EJ., via local maker groups) to split a bulk order. Por ejemplo:
- 5 hobbyists splitting a 10kg roll of standard PLA pay 0.4 RMB/gram each—vs. 0.8 RMB/gram for individual 2kg rolls.
(3) Opt for Domestic Brands
Domestic PLA brands (P.EJ., eSUN, Creencia) offer print quality close to international brands but at half the price. Por ejemplo:
- eSUN Standard PLA (0.5 RMB/gramo) prints just as smoothly as Prusament PLA (1 RMB/gramo) for most hobby projects.
(4) Optimize Print Settings to Reduce Waste
- Adjust Infill: Use 10–20% infill for decorative parts (VS. 50% para piezas funcionales) to cut material use by 30–80%.
- Design Lightweight Parts: Add hollow structures or lattice patterns to reduce part weight—e.g., a 200g vase becomes 100g with a hollow design, saving 100g of PLA.
- Reuse Supports: Design supports that can be recycled (P.EJ., breakable tabs) and reprocess them into small test prints.
(5) Stock Up During Sales
Suppliers often run promotions during shopping holidays (P.EJ., 618, Double 11 en China) or end-of-season clearance. Por ejemplo:
- A 1kg roll of standard PLA that normally costs 500 RMB may drop to 350 RMB during sales—saving 0.15 RMB/gramo.
4. Key Precautions When Buying 3D Printed PLA
To avoid overpaying or buying low-quality PLA, keep these in mind:
(1) Check Compatibility with Your Printer
Most PLA works with FDM printers, but some specialty PLA (P.EJ., a alta temperatura) may require higher nozzle temperatures (210–230°C vs. 190–210°C for standard PLA). Confirm your printer can handle the settings before purchasing.
(2) Verify Material Freshness
PLA absorbs moisture easily, which causes print defects (P.EJ., burbujas, enrollado). Check the production date—fresh PLA (menos que 6 months old) has better printability. Avoid discounted PLA that’s been stored for over a year.
(3) Test Small Quantities First
For specialty PLA (P.EJ., glow-in-the-dark), buy a small 100g sample first to test print quality. This avoids wasting money on a 1kg roll that doesn’t meet your needs.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on 3D Printed PLA Pricing
En la tecnología yigu, creemos balancing quality and cost is key to choosing 3D printed PLA. Many users overspend by buying international specialty PLA for basic projects—for example, using NatureWorks PLA (1.5 RMB/gramo) for a simple prototype when domestic standard PLA (0.5 RMB/gramo) works just as well. Our team helps clients select the right PLA: for hobbyists, we recommend cost-effective domestic standard PLA; for industrial prototypes needing heat resistance, we suggest domestic modified PLA (1–1.5 RMB/gram) to save 30–50% vs. international options. We also assist with bulk ordering, helping small businesses and maker groups access 40–60% discounts. Our goal is to make PLA accessible and affordable for all 3D printing needs.
Preguntas frecuentes
- Why is modified PLA (P.EJ., a alta temperatura) more expensive than standard PLA?
Modified PLA requires adding special additives (P.EJ., heat-resistant polymers for high-temperature grades, impact modifiers for tough grades) durante la producción. These additives increase raw material costs by 50–100%, which translates to higher per-gram prices. Por ejemplo, high-temperature PLA has 30–40% more additive costs than standard PLA.
- Can I mix different brands of PLA to save money?
Mixing brands is not recommended. Different PLA brands have slight variations in formulation (P.EJ., plasticizer content, molecular weight), which can cause inconsistent print quality (P.EJ., uneven layer adhesion, varying shrinkage). Stick to one brand for a single project to ensure reliable results.
- Is it cheaper to buy PLA filaments or make my own PLA pellets?
Making your own PLA pellets is not cost-effective for most users. It requires expensive equipment (P.EJ., pelletizer, dryer) and raw PLA resin, which costs 10–20 RMB/kg (but needs processing into filaments). For hobbyists and small businesses, buying pre-made filaments is cheaper and more convenient—you avoid equipment costs and ensure consistent filament diameter.