PLA Wood: 7 Best Options

ByCaesar Reading Time: 7 minutes

In recent years, 3D printing technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, providing innovative solutions for various industries and hobbyists alike. One of the fascinating materials that has gained popularity is PLA wood filament. 

It combines the ease of 3D printing with the aesthetic appeal of wood, offering a unique fusion of modern technology and natural beauty.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best PLA wood filaments available in the market. We will delve into their features, applications, and discuss how to make an informed choice for your next 3D printing project.

What is PLA Wood Filament?

PLA (Polylactic Acid), a biodegradable and eco-friendly thermoplastic, is widely used in 3D printing. PLA wood filament, on the other hand, is a variant of PLA infused with fine wood particles or fibers. 

This infusion grants the printed objects the appearance and texture of wood, without compromising the ease of 3D printing.

Key Features of PLA Wood Filament

  • Aesthetic Appeal: PLA wood filament replicates the authentic look and feel of wood, making it an excellent choice for projects that require a wooden finish.
  • Eco-Friendly: Just like traditional PLA, PLA wood is biodegradable and derived from renewable resources, making it an eco-conscious choice.
  • Easy to Print: PLA wood is known for its ease of printing, requiring minimal adjustments to your 3D printer’s settings.
  • Low Warping: This filament is less prone to warping, ensuring the stability and quality of your 3D prints.
  • Minimal Odor: PLA wood produces little to no unpleasant odors during the printing process, unlike some other materials.
  • Compatible with Most Printers: PLA wood is compatible with a wide range of 3D printers, from entry-level to professional models.
  • Wide Color Variety: There are numerous color options available, allowing for creative and unique projects.

The Top 7 PLA Wood Filaments

Now, let’s delve into the details of the top seven PLA wood filaments available in the market, highlighting their unique features and applications.

1. Hatchbox Wood PLA

Hatchbox is a well-known brand in the 3D printing world, and their Wood PLA filament lives up to the reputation. This filament offers the perfect balance between ease of use and high-quality results. 

It’s an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced 3D printing enthusiasts. Here are some key features of Hatchbox Wood PLA:

  • Authentic Wood Aesthetics: Hatchbox Wood PLA replicates the authentic look and texture of wood, adding a natural and rustic touch to your 3D prints. You can achieve various wood tones and finishes, allowing for creative freedom in your projects.
  • Easy to Print: Unlike some filaments that require extensive adjustments to your 3D printer’s settings, Hatchbox Wood PLA is known for its user-friendliness. You can achieve great results without too much tinkering.
  • Low Warping: Warping is a common issue in 3D printing, but Hatchbox Wood PLA is less prone to this problem. This means that your prints will stay stable and maintain their intended shape.
  • Reliable and Consistent: Hatchbox is known for its consistency in filament quality, making it a reliable choice for a wide range of applications.
  • Versatile Use: Whether you’re creating functional prototypes or decorative items, Hatchbox Wood PLA can meet your needs with ease.

2. eSun PLA+ Wood

eSun’s PLA+ Wood filament is an enhanced version of traditional PLA. It offers several features that make it stand out among PLA wood filaments:

  • Enhanced Strength: PLA+ Wood is more durable and stronger than regular PLA, making it a suitable choice for functional parts that require structural integrity.
  • Smooth and Polished Finish: This filament provides a polished finish with a fine texture, mimicking the appearance of real wood. It’s perfect for intricate and detailed prints.
  • Reduced Brittleness: PLA+ Wood is less brittle than standard PLA, reducing the risk of breakage. Your 3D printed items will have a longer lifespan.
  • Consistency: eSun is known for its consistent filament quality, ensuring that your prints will turn out as expected every time.
  • Versatile Applications: From art pieces to mechanical components, eSun PLA+ Wood can cater to a wide range of projects.

3. ColorFabb WoodFill

ColorFabb is a renowned manufacturer of specialty filaments, and their WoodFill filament is a testament to their expertise in creating high-quality materials for 3D printing:

  • Recycled Wood Fiber: WoodFill is made with a blend of recycled wood fibers and PLA, giving it an authentic wood appearance and texture. This eco-friendly approach appeals to those who prioritize sustainability.
  • Low Shrinkage and Minimal Warping: WoodFill offers excellent layer adhesion and minimal warping, making it a reliable choice for detailed and precise prints. Your creations will maintain their intended shape and form.
  • Unique Varieties: ColorFabb offers a variety of WoodFill options, each replicating different wood types such as oak, cedar, and bamboo. This allows you to choose the wood effect that best suits your project.
  • Smooth Surface Finish: The filament produces prints with a smooth surface finish, perfect for projects that require a refined appearance.
  • Versatile Compatibility: Whether you’re using a consumer-grade 3D printer or an industrial machine, ColorFabb WoodFill is compatible with a wide range of printers.

4. FormFutura EasyWood PLA

FormFutura is known for its EasyWood PLA filaments, each replicating the look and feel of different wood types, from pine to cork. Here’s why FormFutura’s EasyWood PLA is worth considering:

  • Multiple Wood Varieties: FormFutura offers a range of EasyWood PLA options, allowing you to select the wood type that best suits your project’s aesthetic requirements.
  • Ease of Printing: These filaments are known for their ease of printing and excellent layer adhesion. This means less time spent on adjusting printer settings and more time on creating.
  • Low Warp Rate: FormFutura EasyWood PLA boasts a low warp rate, ensuring your prints stay true to their intended design.
  • Stability: The filament adheres well to the print bed, enhancing the stability of your 3D printing projects.
  • Versatile Creativity: Whether you’re designing architectural models, artistic sculptures, or functional prototypes, FormFutura EasyWood PLA can adapt to your creative needs.

5. 3D Solutech Wood PLA

3D Solutech offers a reliable and cost-effective option with its Wood PLA filament. Here are the key features that make it a popular choice:

  • Affordable Quality: 3D Solutech Wood PLA strikes a balance between affordability and quality, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Authentic Wood Appearance: The filament delivers a beautiful wood finish, enhancing the visual appeal of your 3D printed items.
  • Good Adhesion: It adheres well to the print bed, reducing the chances of warping and ensuring your prints stay stable during the printing process.
  • Compatibility: 3D Solutech Wood PLA is compatible with most 3D printers, making it an excellent choice for users with various types of machines.
  • Versatility: Whether you’re creating decorative items, educational models, or functional prototypes, this filament is versatile enough to meet your requirements.

6. Proto-pasta Rustable Iron PLA

Proto-pasta takes PLA wood filaments to a unique level with its Rustable Iron PLA. This innovative filament contains iron particles and, when exposed to moisture and oxygen, develops a genuine rusted appearance. Here’s what sets it apart:

  • Rust Development: Proto-pasta Rustable Iron PLA is designed to rust over time, creating a distinctive and aged look for your prints. This is perfect for artistic and antique-style projects.
  • Durable and Strong: Despite its unique rusting property, this filament maintains the strength and durability expected from PLA materials.
  • Creative Potential: If you want to add a touch of history and intrigue to your 3D prints, Proto-pasta Rustable Iron PLA offers unparalleled creative possibilities.
  • Stable Printing: It prints with relative stability, allowing you to create items that maintain their structural integrity.
  • Aged Appearance: Proto-pasta’s filament is ideal for creating items with a weathered or vintage aesthetic, making it suitable for various art and decorative projects.

7. AMOLEN Wood PLA

AMOLEN offers a high-quality Wood PLA filament that caters to the needs of both beginners and experienced 3D printing enthusiasts:

  • Beautiful Wood Finish: AMOLEN’s Wood PLA filament replicates the authentic appearance of wood, providing a touch of nature to your 3D prints.
  • Low Odor: Some filaments emit unpleasant odors during printing, but AMOLEN’s Wood PLA is known for its minimal odor production, making the printing process more pleasant.
  • Stability: This filament adheres well to the print bed, reducing the likelihood of warping and ensuring the quality of your prints.
  • Compatibility: AMOLEN’s Wood PLA is compatible with a wide range of 3D printers, enhancing its accessibility to a diverse user base.
  • Versatility: Whether you’re creating artistic sculptures, architectural models, or custom decorations, AMOLEN’s Wood PLA can accommodate your creative needs.

Having looked at the PLA wood, it’s also important to have a look at the best 3D printing software. There are many that are available but we recommend using SelfCAD. It is easy to use and you can use it to not only create 3D models but also fix meshes and slice 3D designs. Get to know how to fix meshes with problems in SelfCAD in the video below.

The in-built online slicer of SelfCAD makes it easier to slice designs and generate the Gcode to send to the 3D printer. The video below shows how to slice designs in SelfCAD.

Conclusion

In the world of 3D printing, PLA wood filaments offer a unique opportunity to combine modern technology with the timeless beauty of wood. 

The seven filaments outlined here, from Hatchbox to AMOLEN, each bring their own advantages and unique features to the table. 

Whether you’re looking for ease of use, enhanced durability, sustainability, or unique aesthetics, you’ll find a PLA wood filament that suits your needs. Experiment, create, and bring your ideas to life with these exceptional PLA wood filaments.

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