Both are made in our Fargo factory from NatureWorks Ingeo PLA, and both print without an enclosure. The difference is what happens to the part after it comes off the printer.
| Standard PLA+ | Tough Pro PLA+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Resin | NatureWorks Ingeo 4043D | NatureWorks Ingeo 3D870, a grade developed for 3D printing |
| Best for | Display pieces, models, and parts that are handled lightly | Functional parts that get handled, dropped, loaded, or left somewhere warm |
| Impact toughness | Baseline | 8.8× tougher in our drop test |
| Heat resistance | Typical PLA | Noticeably better, even without annealing; can be annealed for more |
| Layer adhesion | Good | Better |
| Ease of printing | Easiest | Prints like PLA, slightly hotter |
Our drop test used parts printed on a Bambu Lab X1C at 0.2 mm layer height with no annealing, and a 1 kg standard weight.
Rule of thumb
If the part is going to sit on a shelf and look good, Standard PLA+ is the right choice. If it's going to be handled, moved around, or face situations where it might break or get hot, use Tough Pro PLA+.
Where the two resins come from
Standard PLA+ is made from 100% virgin NatureWorks Ingeo 4043D, a general-purpose PLA grade with a long track record as 3D printer filament. It has no fillers and costs less than Tough Pro PLA+, which makes it a good fit for homes, schools, and offices.
NatureWorks later developed PLA grades specifically for 3D printing. The first, Ingeo 3D850, was the resin behind our Workday PLA, which is now discontinued. Its successor, Ingeo 3D870, adds more strength, impact resistance, layer adhesion, heat resistance, and ductility. Tough Pro PLA+ is made from 3D870.
Need even more toughness or heat resistance?
For parts that live outdoors or see higher heat, look at Pro PCTG.
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