If you’re into 3D printing—whether for hobby projects, protótipos, or small-batch production—understanding the price per gram of PLA (ácido polilático) 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 para 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 & Desempenho
PLA is divided into standard and modified grades, with modified PLA costing significantly more due to added properties (Por exemplo, Resistência ao calor, resistência):
| PLA Type | Faixa de preço (RMB/grama) | Principais características | Aplicações típicas |
| PLA padrão | 0.2 ~ 1 | Fácil de imprimir, biodegradável, baixo custo | Hobby models, protótipos básicos, educational projects |
| Modified PLA – High-Temperature Resistant | 1 ~ 2 | Withstands 80–120°C (vs.. 50–60°C for standard PLA) | Partes funcionais (Por exemplo, small appliance brackets) |
| Modified PLA – Tough/Impact-Resistant | 1.2 ~ 2.5 | Less brittle, better for repeated use | Peças de brinquedo, alças da ferramenta, wearable accessories |
| Modified PLA – Especialidade (Wood Grain/Glow-in-the-Dark) | 1.5 ~ 3 | Aesthetic effects; unique textures | Itens decorativos, custom figurines |
Exemplo: A 200g hobby model made with standard PLA costs 40–200 RMB (0.2–1 RMB/gram). The same model made with wood-grain PLA would cost 300–600 RMB—1.5–3x more.
(2) Brand Origin & Qualidade
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 | Faixa de preço (RMB/grama) | Quality Traits | Popular Brands |
| Domestic Standard Brands | 0.2 ~ 0.8 | Boa impressão; suitable for most users | eSUN, CREALIDADE, Polymaker (Domestic Line) |
| International Premium Brands | 0.8 ~ 2 | Controle de qualidade estrita; minimal stringing/warping | NatureWorks, prussiano, Hatchbox |
| Specialty Modified Brands | 1.5 ~ 3 | Expert-formulated for specific performance | ColorFabb (Tough PLA), Fiberlogy (High-Temp PLA) |
Nota -chave: 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 (PLA padrão) | Total Cost Example (1kg vs.. 10kg) | Discount vs. Pequenos lotes |
| Pequeno lote (<1kg) | 0.5 ~ 1 RMB/grama | 1kg: 500 ~ 1,000 RMB | 0% (No Discount) |
| Medium Batch (1–10kg) | 0.3 ~ 0.7 RMB/grama | 10kg: 3,000 ~ 7,000 RMB | 20 ~ 40% |
| Lote grande (>10kg) | 0.2 ~ 0.5 RMB/grama | 20kg: 4,000 ~ 10,000 RMB | 40 ~ 60% |
Exemplo: A hobbyist buying 500g of standard PLA pays 0.8 RMB/grama (400 Total de RMB). A small business buying 10kg pays 0.4 RMB/grama (4,000 Total de RMB)—halving the price per gram.
(4) Fornecimento 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% (Por exemplo, de 0.5 para 0.58 RMB/grama).
- 3D Printing Demand Spikes: During peak seasons (Por exemplo, 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/grama) | Melhor para |
| PLA padrão | Domestic | 0.2 ~ 0.8 | Projetos de hobby, protótipos básicos |
| PLA padrão | 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 | Itens 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. Try these strategies:
(1) Choose Standard PLA for Non-Critical Projects
Only use modified PLA when you need its specific properties. Por exemplo:
- 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 (Por exemplo, via local maker groups) to split a bulk order. Por exemplo:
- 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 (Por exemplo, eSUN, CREALIDADE) offer print quality close to international brands but at half the price. Por exemplo:
- eSUN Standard PLA (0.5 RMB/grama) prints just as smoothly as Prusament PLA (1 RMB/grama) for most hobby projects.
(4) Optimize Print Settings to Reduce Waste
- Adjust Infill: Use 10–20% infill for decorative parts (vs.. 50% Para partes funcionais) 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 (Por exemplo, breakable tabs) and reprocess them into small test prints.
(5) Stock Up During Sales
Suppliers often run promotions during shopping holidays (Por exemplo, 618, Double 11 na China) or end-of-season clearance. Por exemplo:
- A 1kg roll of standard PLA that normally costs 500 RMB may drop to 350 RMB during sales—saving 0.15 RMB/grama.
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 (Por exemplo, 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 (Por exemplo, bolhas, cordas). Check the production date—fresh PLA (menor que 6 meses de idade) tem melhor capacidade de impressão. Evite PLA com desconto armazenado há mais de um ano.
(3) Test Small Quantities First
Para PLA especial (Por exemplo, brilha no escuro), compre primeiro uma pequena amostra de 100g para testar a qualidade de impressão. Isso evita desperdiçar dinheiro em um rolo de 1kg que não atende às suas necessidades.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on 3D Printed PLA Pricing
Na tecnologia Yigu, acreditamos equilibrando qualidade e custo é a chave para escolher o PLA impresso em 3D. Muitos usuários gastam demais comprando PLA especializado internacional para projetos básicos – por exemplo, usando NatureWorks PLA (1.5 RMB/grama) para um protótipo simples quando o PLA padrão doméstico (0.5 RMB/grama) funciona tão bem. Nossa equipe ajuda os clientes a selecionar o PLA certo: 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.
Perguntas frequentes
- Why is modified PLA (Por exemplo, alta temperatura) more expensive than standard PLA?
Modified PLA requires adding special additives (Por exemplo, heat-resistant polymers for high-temperature grades, impact modifiers for tough grades) durante a produção. These additives increase raw material costs by 50–100%, which translates to higher per-gram prices. Por exemplo, 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 (Por exemplo, plasticizer content, molecular weight), which can cause inconsistent print quality (Por exemplo, 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 (Por exemplo, 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.