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The concept-model workhorse — the fastest, cheapest and crispest material we run on FDM.
PLA 3D printing at KAD3D — The concept-model workhorse — the fastest, cheapest and crispest material we run on FDM.
PLA is the go-to for concept models, form-and-fit checks and indoor jigs. It prints fast, holds sharp detail and comes in the widest colour range of any FDM material. It softens from around 55 °C and is brittle under impact, so it is a prototyping and display material rather than an end-use one.
PLA is the everyday workhorse of desktop 3D printing. It is most used for concept models, visual prototypes, architectural models, tabletop miniatures, cosplay props and classroom pieces — the kind of models you see at maker fairs and design studios.
Typical applications include Concept models, form and fit checks, education kits and indoor jigs.
Produced with FDM, PLA 3D printing typically offers a tensile strength around 35 MPa, elongation at break near 12.2%, heat deflection about 57 °C, a density of 1.24 g/cm³ and water absorption around 0.5%. Full technical data is listed in the table below.
For dimensional work, PLA supports a typical layer height or tolerance of ±0.25–0.30 mm or ±0.5%.
This makes PLA a strong choice for parts that need fine detail.
PLA can be annealed at 50–60 °C for 6–12 h — the manufacturer-suggested cycle to relieve internal printing stresses. Results depend on part geometry, so our team will advise when annealing is genuinely worthwhile.
Finishing options for PLA include Sanding, Painting / Priming and Annealing.
Standard turnaround for PLA is 3 business days, with an express option in 24 hours, from order confirmation and delivered Australia-wide.
Commonly chosen by Melbourne and Sydney design studios for fast, low-cost concept models and education pieces that live indoors, where sharp detail and a wide colour range matter more than heat or UV resistance.
Visible layer lines off the machine; sands, primes and paints well, and can be vapour-smoothed on some blends. The most popular finish is Sand and prime, then paint for a smooth display finish. Wide colour range available — reach out to check a specific colour. Maximum build size is up to 1000 × 1000 × 1000 mm (larger on request).
FDM (fused deposition modelling) builds each part layer by layer from a molten thermoplastic filament — a fast, cost-effective process ideal for prototypes and functional parts. You can read more about the FDM process on Wikipedia.
To get the best results with PLA, send your part as an STL, STEP or 3MF file and tell us the intended use, the tolerances that matter and any cosmetic finish you need. Our team confirms the ideal build orientation, wall thickness and infill, and flags anything that could affect strength, accuracy or surface quality before printing begins.
KAD3D runs PLA 3D printing in-house in Melbourne, which means real people check every part before dispatch and you can talk directly to the team who print your work. Quoting is free and instant online, and delivery covers all of Australia. 24 hours express is available on this material.
Indicative pricing for PLA starts around $4.69 AUD for small parts. Every job is quoted exactly on geometry and quantity — instant online quotes are free.
Standard turnaround for PLA is 3 business days from order confirmation, with a 24 hours express option, delivered Australia-wide.
Printed PLA offers a tensile strength around 35 MPa. The full technical profile, including the figures that matter for your part, is in the table on this page.
The maximum build size for PLA is 1000 × 1000 × 1000 mm (larger on request). Larger parts can often be printed in sections and joined — ask when you quote.
Yes — PLA takes primer and paint well, sands easily and can be annealed. The most common finishing routes for this material are listed above, and our team can recommend the right one for your part.
Typical layer height or tolerance for PLA is ±0.25–0.30 mm or ±0.5%. If a feature needs to be tighter, flag it when you quote and we will confirm what is achievable.
Compare PLA with TPU 95A, ABS, ASA, ASA-CF, PETG, or browse the full materials hub.
Ready to start? Upload your file for a free instant quote on PLA 3D printing at KAD3D.
Visible layer lines off the machine; sands, primes and paints well, and can be vapour-smoothed on some blends.
Wide colour range available — reach out to check a specific colour.
Lead times are indicative and start from order confirmation. Actual turnaround varies model by model, depending on part geometry, print time, quantity and shipping location. Express service incurs an additional charge. Express availability is subject to current machine capacity — please confirm when ordering.
Contact us| Price | $4.69 |
| Tensile strength | 35 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 12.2 % |
| Heat deflection (0.45 MPa) | 57 °C |
| Heat deflection (1.80 MPa) | 54 °C |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm³ |
| Water absorption (24 h) | 0.5 % |
| Layer / tolerance | ±0.25–0.30 mm or ±0.5% |
Parts printed in PLA in FDM can be finished a number of ways at KAD3D, from a clean functional surface to a fully painted, display-ready result. The treatments below are the ones we most often apply to this material.
Most popular finish: Sand and prime, then paint for a smooth display finish.
To make material costs easy to compare, KAD3D prints the same standard model — the #3DBenchy — in every material. The price shown is what that identical benchmark part costs in PLA, so you can weigh materials against each other on a genuine like-for-like basis before uploading your own file.
Benchmark price is a guide for comparison only; your part is quoted on its own size, geometry and finishing. Upload your model for an exact price.
These prices were taken on 1 July 2026 and are still in place.
Printed in-house by KAD3D. Upload your part for an instant quote.
Get instant quote Made in Melbourne · delivered Australia-wide.Material data on these pages was compiled with the assistance of online research tools, in good faith, and may contain inaccuracies. Values are indicative only and intended to give a closer idea of each material's behaviour. For accurate, batch-specific TDS or SDS documentation, please contact KAD3D directly. KAD3D accepts no liability for any reliance on this information.