PLA is the world's most-used filament, but few shops cost it right. Here are the real 2026 LATAM numbers and the formula to nail your cost per gram in 30 seconds.
$18-25
USD per kg in LATAM
$0.02
USD per gram average
1 kg
yields 200-300 parts
Cost-per-gram formula
Spool price
USD per kg
•
÷ 1,000
Convert to grams
•
× 1.10
Add 10% waste
PLA vs PETG vs ABS
| Material | Price/kg | Cost/g | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | $18-25 | $0.020 | Decorative, prototypes |
| PETG | $25-35 | $0.030 | Functional, outdoor |
| ABS | $22-30 | $0.026 | Mechanical, automotive |
| TPU | $40-55 | $0.047 | Flexible, gaskets |
Buy by volume, not by brand
5 kg spools cut your cost/g up to 30%. If you print >2 kg per month, the savings pay for the bigger spool in under a month.
What almost nobody adds
Waste (10-15%)
Supports, purges, failed first layers. A 1 kg spool gives you ~880 g of usable plastic.
Humidity
Poorly stored PLA loses quality and increases fails. A dryer pays for itself in a month.
Shipping & taxes
Aliexpress looks cheap — until the 30% import tax shows up.
Brand variance
Cheap and premium spools differ by 40% in price and 0% in warranty.
Calculate cost/g including 10-15% waste
Buy 5 kg spools when volume justifies it
Store PLA in sealed boxes with silica
Comparing only price/kg without shipping & taxes
Using PLA for functional parts that need PETG or ABS
How many parts does a 1 kg PLA spool yield?+
200-300 small parts or 8-12 medium ones, after ~10% waste.
Is premium PLA worth it?+
For parts you sell, yes — fewer fails, better finish, lot-to-lot consistency. For internal prototypes, no.
How do I store PLA to make it last?+
Sealed box with silica. If it got humid, dry at 40-45 °C for 6 hours before printing.