Polymaker Panchroma PLA Basic – high-speed PLA filament for 3D printer
What is Polymaker Panchroma PLA Basic
Polymaker Panchroma PLA Basic is a high-speed PLA filament for everyday 3D printing, designed to combine fast production with professional surface quality. The formula is optimized for FDM/FFF 3D printers and is suitable for both beginners and advanced users who want a reliable material for prototypes, models, decorative elements, and small series of products.
The filament is supplied as a standard spool with a diameter of 1.75 mm and a net weight of 1 kg, making it compatible with the vast majority of desktop and professional 3D printers on the market. The specially developed high-speed formula allows print speeds of up to 350 mm/s and a volumetric flow rate of up to 28 mm³/s, without sacrificing detail and smoothness of the part.
Technology and material quality
Panchroma PLA Basic uses next-generation PLA with improved rheology and mechanical properties. Compared to standard PLA formulations, the material offers significantly greater plasticity – about ~19% elongation at break versus approximately 6% for typical PLA, as well as nearly double the Charpy impact strength. This means that the details are less brittle and tend to bend before breaking, which is ideal for functional prototypes and parts that are frequently handled.
According to the official TDS of Panchroma, the density of PLA Basic (Regular) is about 1.30 g/cm³ at 23 °C, and the Vicat softening temperature is approximately 66 °C. This is typical for high-quality PLA – the material retains its shape under normal room conditions but is not suitable for prolonged use in highly heated environments (for example, in a car cabin during summer).
The composition is optimized for stable extrusion and good shrinkage, resulting in even layers, clean edges, and minimal defects such as gaps or voids with correct settings. In combination with appropriate cooling, Panchroma PLA Basic performs excellently with bridges and overhangs, characteristic of decorative models and functional geometries.
Performance and workflow
The main advantage of Panchroma PLA Basic is the high working speed. The manufacturer states that the material supports print speeds up to 350 mm/s and a volumetric flow rate of up to 28 mm³/s on suitable high-speed printers. In practice, this allows for a significant reduction in printing time for large objects and series without losing detail.
The recommended parameters for extrusion are:
- Nozzle temperature: 190 – 230 °C (typical start 200 – 215 °C depending on the printer and geometry)
- Heated bed temperature: 25 – 60 °C (often 40 – 50 °C for a good balance between adhesion and easy removal)
- Nozzle diameter: 0.4 mm as standard; smaller/larger nozzles are possible depending on the purpose
- Print speeds: 60 – 120 mm/s for "reliable" mode, up to 350 mm/s for high-speed profiles
The material behaves predictably with the ready-made PLA profiles in popular slicers like Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, Cura, and OrcaSlicer. In many cases, it is sufficient to use a standard PLA profile and adjust the speed and temperature within the recommended ranges, and for maximum quality and consistency, additional fine calibration (flow, retraction, PA/pressure advance) is desirable.
For demanding models with many overhangs and detailed supports, Polymaker recommends using separate support materials such as PolySupport™ or the soluble PolyDissolve™ S1, which provide clean separation of the supports from the PLA detail.
Compatibility and ecosystem
Panchroma PLA Basic is a filament with a diameter of 1.75 mm and is compatible with a wide range of FDM/FFF printers – from desktop models to larger professional machines. The low working temperature and PLA base mean that a closed chamber or special hardware modifications are not required.
The filament is marked as compatible with multi-filament systems and AMS solutions (for example, for automatic thread changes), thanks to the stable geometry of the spool and uniform diameter. This makes it a suitable choice for complex projects with multiple materials or for automated production tasks.
Regarding the Panchroma PLA Basic software, it works with all standard formats of 3D models – STL, 3MF, OBJ, etc. It is important that the model is correctly prepared in the slicer: proper wall thickness, layer height (for example, 0.2 mm for a balance between speed and detail), and adequate cooling of the layers is activated.
If detailed profiles are needed, you can consult the official materials from Polymaker or use ready-made profiles for Panchroma/PolyLite PLA in your slicer, adapting them to the specific printer if necessary.
Spool design and ergonomics
Polymaker uses a well-thought-out spool design for Panchroma PLA Basic. The standard 1 kg spool has a rigid flange and a central hub that spins smoothly on most filament roller holders. The openings on the body facilitate securing the thread at the end of the print, so it does not unwind by itself during storage.
The label clearly states the type of material (PLA), the diameter 1.75 mm, the batch number, and the recommended temperatures. This aids in traceability and repeatability for professional use – you can easily reproduce the parameters for a given client or batch.
The filament is delivered vacuum-sealed with a silica gel packet, which maintains low humidity during transport and initial storage. For optimal performance, especially with longer prints and in more humid environments, it is recommended to store the spool in a box with desiccant or in a filament dryer.
Professional use scenarios
- Functional prototypes and enclosures – thanks to greater toughness and relatively good impact resistance, Panchroma PLA Basic is excellent for electronic enclosures, clips, holders, small mechanical parts, and demo prototypes that need to survive repeated assembly and disassembly.
- Detailed miniatures and figurines – fine detail, clean surfaces, and minimal layer visibility allow for printing miniatures for board games, collectible figurines, or decorative statuettes, which can then be easily primed and painted.
- Cosplay accessories and props – the lightness of the material, combined with improved impact resistance, makes it suitable for helmets, weapons, armor, and other cosplay elements that need to look good and withstand transport and wear.
- Educational and STEM projects – the easy setups and good repeatability are ideal for schools, universities, and makerspaces, where educational models, geometric shapes, mechanisms, and other demonstration objects are printed.
- Prototypes for product designers – the fast printing and high quality of the outer surfaces allow for quick validation of shapes, ergonomics, and assemblies before moving on to more expensive technical materials.
- Small series of decorative products – thanks to the speed and stable color/quality consistency, Panchroma PLA Basic is suitable for producing souvenirs, interior decorations, personalized gifts, and other small series.
Limitations and best practices
Like any PLA, Panchroma PLA Basic has its limitations. The softening temperature around 60–66 °C means that the material is not suitable for applications in highly heated environments (e.g., in a car in the sun, near heating elements, or outdoors in direct sunlight at high summer temperatures).
When printing on textured PEI beds, some users report strong adhesion. To avoid damaging the surface, it is good practice to:
- reduce the bed temperature to around 35–45 °C;
- use a release layer (e.g., glue/tape) if adhesion is excessive;
- wait for the bed to cool completely before removing the parts.
For best results:
- Store the filament in a dry place; if moisture is absorbed, drying at around 55 °C for 6 hours in a filament dryer may be necessary;
- Use smooth but not excessive acceleration and jerk settings at very high speeds;
- Adjust the retraction to minimize strings and specks on the surfaces;
- If maximum strength is needed, increase the temperature in the upper part of the recommended range and reduce the speed.
The material is PLA-based and is compatible with standard PLA settings by specification. It should not be confused with Panchroma CoPE, which is a different material and is not recommended for combined printing with PLA in the same part.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Value for Panchroma PLA Basic (Regular) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Material | PLA-based filament | Suitable for FDM/FFF 3D printers |
| Filament Diameter | 1.75 mm | Tolerances according to manufacturer data |
| Net weight of the spool | 1000 g | Standard spool; refill options are available in the series |
| Recommended nozzle temperature | 190 – 230 °C | Starting value 200–215 °C |
| Recommended bed temperature | 25 – 60 °C | Often 40–50 °C; can be lower with PEI |
| Recommended print speed | 60 – 120 mm/s | For high-speed profiles up to 350 mm/s with a suitable printer |
| Maximum volumetric flow | up to 28 mm³/s | With well-tuned extrusion and cooling |
| Density at 23 °C | ~1.30 g/cm³ | According to the official TDS for Regular (Basic) |
| Vicat softening temperature | ~66 °C | Measured according to ISO 306 |
| Mechanical properties (strength, modulus, elongation) | Available data: see TDS for detailed values | Plasticity ~19% elongation at break, higher impact strength |
| Recommended drying | 55 °C for ~6 hours | In a filament dryer or drying cabinet |
| Compatibility with AMS/multi-material | Yes, for 1.75 mm system | Suitable for automatic filament changes |