If you’re into 3D printing—whether for hobby projects, прототипы, or small-batch production—understanding the price per gram of PLA (Полилактановая кислота) 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 к 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 & Производительность
PLA is divided into standard and modified grades, with modified PLA costing significantly more due to added properties (НАПРИМЕР., теплостойкость, стойкость):
| PLA Type | Ценовой диапазон (юаней/грамм) | Ключевые характеристики | Типичные приложения |
| Стандартная PLA | 0.2 ~ 1 | Легко печатать, биоразлагаемый, бюджетный | Модели для хобби, Основные прототипы, educational projects |
| Modified PLA – High-Temperature Resistant | 1 ~ 2 | Withstands 80–120°C (против. 50–60°C for standard PLA) | Функциональные части (НАПРИМЕР., small appliance brackets) |
| Modified PLA – Tough/Impact-Resistant | 1.2 ~ 2.5 | Less brittle, better for repeated use | Игрушечные детали, ручки инструмента, wearable accessories |
| Modified PLA – Специальность (Wood Grain/Glow-in-the-Dark) | 1.5 ~ 3 | Aesthetic effects; unique textures | Декоративные предметы, custom figurines |
Пример: 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 & Качество
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 | Ценовой диапазон (юаней/грамм) | Quality Traits | Popular Brands |
| Domestic Standard Brands | 0.2 ~ 0.8 | Хорошая печатная способность; suitable for most users | eSUN, Креал, Polymaker (Domestic Line) |
| International Premium Brands | 0.8 ~ 2 | Строгий контроль качества; minimal stringing/warping | NatureWorks, Прусский, Hatchbox |
| Specialty Modified Brands | 1.5 ~ 3 | Expert-formulated for specific performance | ColorFabb (Tough PLA), Fiberlogy (High-Temp PLA) |
Ключевая нота: 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 (Стандартная PLA) | Total Cost Example (1кг против. 10кг) | Discount vs. Маленькие партии |
| Небольшая партия (<1кг) | 0.5 ~ 1 юаней/грамм | 1кг: 500 ~ 1,000 юаней | 0% (Нет скидки) |
| Средняя партия (1–10 кг) | 0.3 ~ 0.7 юаней/грамм | 10кг: 3,000 ~ 7,000 юаней | 20 ~ 40% |
| Большая партия (>10кг) | 0.2 ~ 0.5 юаней/грамм | 20кг: 4,000 ~ 10,000 юаней | 40 ~ 60% |
Пример: A hobbyist buying 500g of standard PLA pays 0.8 юаней/грамм (400 RMB total). A small business buying 10kg pays 0.4 юаней/грамм (4,000 RMB total)—halving the price per gram.
(4) Рыночный поставка & 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% (НАПРИМЕР., от 0.5 к 0.58 юаней/грамм).
- 3D Printing Demand Spikes: During peak seasons (НАПРИМЕР., 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 (юаней/грамм) | Лучше всего для |
| Стандартная PLA | Domestic | 0.2 ~ 0.8 | Хобби проекты, Основные прототипы |
| Стандартная PLA | International | 0.8 ~ 2 | High-precision models, Последовательные результаты |
| 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 | Декоративные предметы, 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. Например:
- 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 (НАПРИМЕР., via local maker groups) to split a bulk order. Например:
- 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 (НАПРИМЕР., eSUN, Креал) offer print quality close to international brands but at half the price. Например:
- eSUN Standard PLA (0.5 юаней/грамм) prints just as smoothly as Prusament PLA (1 юаней/грамм) for most hobby projects.
(4) Optimize Print Settings to Reduce Waste
- Adjust Infill: Use 10–20% infill for decorative parts (против. 50% Для функциональных частей) 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 (НАПРИМЕР., breakable tabs) and reprocess them into small test prints.
(5) Stock Up During Sales
Поставщики часто проводят рекламные акции во время торговых праздников. (НАПРИМЕР., 618, Двойной 11 в Китае) или окончание сезона. Например:
- Рулон стандартного PLA весом 1 кг, который обычно стоит 500 Юань может упасть до 350 Юани во время продаж – экономия 0.15 юаней/грамм.
4. Key Precautions When Buying 3D Printed PLA
Чтобы не переплачивать и не покупать некачественный PLA, имейте это в виду:
(1) Check Compatibility with Your Printer
Большинство PLA работает с принтерами FDM., но какая-то специализация ПЛА (НАПРИМЕР., высокотемпературная) может потребоваться более высокая температура сопла (210–230°С по сравнению с. 190–210°C для стандартного PLA). Перед покупкой убедитесь, что ваш принтер поддерживает эти настройки..
(2) Verify Material Freshness
PLA легко впитывает влагу., что приводит к дефектам печати (НАПРИМЕР., пузырьки, строка). Проверьте дату производства — свежий PLA (меньше, чем 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 (НАПРИМЕР., 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
В Yigu Technology, Мы верим 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 юаней/грамм) for a simple prototype when domestic standard PLA (0.5 юаней/грамм) 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.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
- Why is modified PLA (НАПРИМЕР., высокотемпературная) more expensive than standard PLA?
Modified PLA requires adding special additives (НАПРИМЕР., heat-resistant polymers for high-temperature grades, impact modifiers for tough grades) во время производства. These additives increase raw material costs by 50–100%, which translates to higher per-gram prices. Например, 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 (НАПРИМЕР., plasticizer content, molecular weight), which can cause inconsistent print quality (НАПРИМЕР., 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 (НАПРИМЕР., 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.