Wood PLA 3D Printing: Crafting Natural-Look Prints with Ease

Lately, Wood PLA has been appealing to many 3D printing hobbyists and professional makers alike. Whether finding inspiration for natural wood-like prints or hunting for more sustainable options, Wood PLA may be the right choice for you. It no doubt gives realistic results and is easier to print. 

Despite the learning curve, experimenting with wood PLA can be rewarding, especially when you have innovative print ideas. It is all about proper materials, guidance, and dedication.   

New to wood PLA filament? Discover the advantages of this technology and its key differences from traditional wood filaments here. We will discuss inspiring print ideas, pro printing tips, and post-processing techniques to help you achieve that realistic wood-like texture with ease.

Why Wood PLA for Natural-Look Prints? 

Wood’s PLA gives the printed object the look, feel, and even scent of wood without using the actual wood fibers. Users of all skill levels can use wood PLA material if they are interested in sustainable, aesthetic projects. Such natural-looking wonders from a bygone era bring charm to your space.  

As discussed previously, wood PLA gives a realistic appearance without using wood fibers to avoid the breakage and nozzle clogging issues of wood-filled filaments. Thus, it is a clog-free printing and works best with most FDM printers. Moreover, the composite material is bio-degradable and warp-resistant.

After printing, the object is primed, sanded, and varnished with darker tones to enhance the wood details and to protect the natural-looking prints. This makes such printed objects suitable for use as decorative items, artistic models, and even functional objects such as storage boxes.

Creative Print Ideas with Wood PLA 

Ideal for a tabletop storage box or décor, PLA prints that are designed to look like wood can be a fun printing project. Keeping in view its versatility, the 3D printing ideas range from a wooden storage box to an oak planter to anime figures. Let’s explore more.

Wooden Treasure Chest

More than just a glued-together decorative piece, a treasure chest with working latches is a perfect vault for your most cherished keepsakes. 

Choosing Wood PLA in 3D printing enhances details like hinges, locks, and latches, making the woody texture pop while adding an old, weathered look. The print is durable to ensure functionality while whispering the secrets of hidden jewels.

You can design with rounded edges, sand to sharpen the details, and apply walnut stain to stimulate a vintage effect. For more dark and rich wooden tones, use a higher nozzle temperature around 205-210°C.

Rustic Wooden Barrel

For hobbyists looking to preserve barrels of barrel-aged wine or carry the aroma of fresh oak, a rustic wooden barrel is a worthy project. It can be a versatile prop for dioramas, planters, themed storage, or a charming side table.

When printed from a wood PLA filament, this rugged companion gives an organic, rough appearance that mimics wood grain. Using a larger nozzle for better flow can help you avoid clogging issues. Sand with 400-grit sandpaper and give iron hoop detailing for a matte finish.

What’s more, print at 40 mm/s of nozzle movement for clean layers. You can find the pre-made 3D wooden barrel models online to save time.

Sailboat Model

A wooden sailboat model, inviting dreams of salty air and sun-kissed decks, is a perfect historical or fantasy piece.

Unlike cartoony models, a 3D printed sailboat made from wooden PLA material captures intricate details like plans and masts to set sail on seas of wonder. When coated with cherry wood stain, it gives a nautical look.

Choose the material (Wood PLA), layer height (e.g., 0.1 mm), and bed temperature of 50-60°C for large models to prevent stringing or warping. To prevent the sailboat from falling, you may need additional structures for support.

Wooden Storage Box

Printing wooden storage boxes is ideal for 3D printing enthusiasts to bring their artisanal objects to life with realistic effects and functional parts. More than just a decoration, the box can be a secret sanctuary to hold your jewels and pearls.

Using Wooden PLA filament for a 3D printed storage box reveals natural wood tones with clean edges and a sturdy surface. Moreover, they are biodegradable, making a sustainable yet premium storage solution to hold your tools.

If you design the box with a sliding/hinged lid, sand and coat it with clear polyurethane, you will end up creating a piece with a premium handcrafted appearance.

Groot Figurine

Creating Groot statues with tree-bark texture would take you to the enchanted woodlands of imagination. Put the piece on the desk or among plants as a symbol of growth and life.

Choose Wood PLA to get optimized 3D printing results of tree-based strands. You wouldn’t have to paint it, as it would perfectly create a woody texture naturally.

Take into account the level of detail and complexity when selecting a model. The pro tip is to use a layer height of 0.15 mm for good prints. To increase the depth, you can add brown stain, but sand lightly. Heat below 60°C post-processing to keep the finish lasting.

Tips for Stunning Wood PLA Prints

Achieving professional-grade results requires optimized printing and essential post-processing from basic sanding to advanced finishing. Here is what you need to adjust to enhance the realism of your Wood PLA creations.

Printing Settings:

Handling delicate printing by paying closer attention to the printing settings.

Keep the layer height to 0.1-0.2 mm for natural grainy results. Increase the flow rate to 105-110% for elevated texture. For even layer cooling, adjust the cooling fan to 80-100%.

The temperature range varies for mimicking different wood tones. But the ideal range for colour gradients is 190°C to 210°C.

Post-Processing:

The post-processing methods vary depending on the material and technology (e.g., FDM/FFF, SLA, SLS).

Start sanding with 120-grit and end with 400-600-grit for a smooth texture. Then use water-based stains to give it a natural colour and sharpen the features. The pro tip is to apply it to a small area first.

Next, coating is done by applying clear polyurethane to add shine or matte varnish for durability. End the work with carving tools to add a custom grainy texture. You can get as creative as you can with the texture.

Use the heat gun with caution.

Troubleshooting:

Debug the issues of rough surfaces by cleaning the nozzle or reducing the print speed. It will create a more efficient printing process. For large models, use a brim or raft for better bed adhesion.

Showcase Your Creations 

A little appreciation never goes out of style. Keep posting your creative wood PLA projects on the Snapmaker Facebook Group.

If you are looking for a high-quality Wood PLA filament, Snapmaker filaments with minimal warping are the ones to choose. Unlike traditional ones in the market, they are lightweight and deliver stable results with no nozzle blockage. It is well-praised for its dimensional accuracy of ±0.05mm that can turn delicate dreams into reality.

Conclusion 

Wood PLA in 3D printing gives stunning results, mimicking the wood grain without using the wood particles. They are eco-friendly, easier to print, and deliver high precision results without clogging or warping.  Try out the above-listed creative printing ideas for your next 3D models. Explore the tips and tutorials to unlock your artistic potential.