PLA+ Settings for Prusa MK3

Temperature Settings

Start with the nozzle at 215°C and the bed at 60°C. If you see poor layer adhesion, increase the nozzle temperature by 5°C increments. If you experience stringing, decrease the nozzle temperature by 5°C. For the first layer, you can increase the bed temperature by 5°C for better adhesion, then let it drop back to 60°C for subsequent layers.

The PLA+ filament has a recommended nozzle temperature range of 200-230°C and a bed temperature range of 50-70°C. The Prusa MK3 supports nozzle temperatures up to 300°C and bed temperatures up to 120°C, which fully covers the recommended range for this filament.

Speed & Quality

For the Prusa MK3, a print speed of 40-60 mm/s works well with PLA+. The first layer should be printed at 15-25 mm/s for solid bed adhesion. Outer walls at 70-80% of the main speed produce cleaner surface finishes.

For quality-critical prints like miniatures or display pieces, reduce the speed to 40 mm/s and use a 0.12-0.16mm layer height. For draft or rapid prototyping, you can push the speed to 60 mm/s with a 0.24-0.28mm layer height. The standard 0.2mm layer height at 50 mm/s provides the best balance of speed and quality for most prints.

Bed Adhesion

PLA+ has the same adhesion properties as regular PLA. A clean PEI sheet works perfectly. For glass beds, use glue stick or hairspray. Clean with IPA before printing.

Common Issues with PLA+ on Prusa MK3

Here are the most common problems you may encounter when printing PLA+ on the Prusa MK3, along with proven solutions:

• Stringing: Same as PLA -- reduce temperature by 5°C and tune retraction
• Inconsistent quality: PLA+ varies widely between brands; try different manufacturers
• Poor layer adhesion: Increase temperature by 5-10°C (PLA+ often prefers hotter temps)
• Brittle prints: May be moisture-damaged; dry at 50°C for 4-5 hours

Tips for Best Results

Follow these expert tips to get the best possible prints with PLA+ on your Prusa MK3:

• PLA+ generally prefers 5-10°C higher nozzle temperature than regular PLA
• Treat storage the same as regular PLA -- desiccant and airtight container
• Test different brands as PLA+ is not standardized and varies significantly
• Benefits of PLA+ are most noticeable in impact resistance and less brittle snapping
• Good upgrade from PLA for functional parts that need more durability

Support Settings

For prints requiring supports with PLA+, use tree supports for easier removal and less scarring. Set a 0.15-0.2mm Z-distance between support and model. If you have a dual-extruder setup, consider PVA (for PLA/PETG) or HIPS (for ABS) as dedicated water/solvent-soluble support material.

PLA+ at a Glance

Prusa MK3 Specifications

The Prusa MK3 features a 250 x 210 x 210 mm build volume with a maximum print speed of 100 mm/s. It uses a direct drive extruder system, which provides better control over flexible and specialty filaments. The hotend can reach 300°C and the heated bed supports temperatures up to 120°C.