PLA+ (also sold as Tough PLA or PLA Pro) is regular PLA with added ingredients that make it less brittle. It prints almost as easily as standard PLA and costs about the same, but it handles drops, bumps, and bending better.
What PLA+ / Tough PLA is good at
- Tougher than PLA: Less likely to crack or snap when dropped or flexed.
- Still easy and affordable: Most shops print it with the same settings and prices as PLA.
- Good detail: Keeps most of PLA's crisp detail and colour range.
Where it falls short
- Heat: It softens at roughly the same temperature as PLA, around 55–65 °C (130–150 °F), so it's still not for hot cars or heat sources.
- Outdoors: Like PLA, sunlight and weather slowly weaken it.
- Not a standard: “PLA+” isn't an official grade, so toughness varies between makers. Your shop can tell you what they use.
Is PLA+ / Tough PLA right for my project?
It's usually a good fit if your item:
- will be used indoors
- gets handled, dropped, or clipped together
- needs to stay low cost
If it needs to handle heat or life outdoors, look at PETG or ASA.
Common questions
Is PLA+ the same as PLA? It's PLA with additives. It looks and prints much the same, but it's tougher and a little more flexible.
Is PLA+ worth it over regular PLA? For decorative pieces, regular PLA is fine. For parts that get used, clipped, or dropped, PLA+ is usually worth it, often at little or no extra cost.
Find PLA+ / Tough PLA near you
Ready to get something made? Find shops that offer PLA+ / Tough PLA near you, or upload your file for a quote. Not sure which material to choose? Choose by what you're making or ask a local shop.