Struggling with Stubborn Supports? Let’s Test PETG on PLA!
Have you ever printed with PLA supports on a PLA print and found yourself struggling to remove them cleanly? Even with the right settings, PLA sometimes feels like it’s glued to itself, making post-processing a hassle. That’s where PETG supports come in—some makers swear by them for easier removal and cleaner overhangs. But are they really worth it?
In this test, we’ll compare PLA supports vs. PETG supports using a Bambu Lab printer and Overture filament. We’re printing an Okami mask and evaluating:
✅ How cleanly PETG supports remove from a PLA print
✅ How much filament gets wasted during material swapping
✅ Whether the benefits outweigh the downsides
So, let’s dive in and see if PETG supports are the game-changer they claim to be!
Why Use PETG Supports on PLA?
The idea behind using PETG for supports on PLA is simple:
🛠️ PLA-on-PLA supports can be tough to remove, even with good slicer settings. The layers often bond too well, making support removal tedious.
🔄 PETG doesn’t adhere as strongly to PLA, meaning it should peel away more easily, reducing damage to overhangs and making post-processing faster.
However, the catch is filament waste—every time the printer swaps materials, it purges some filament. If you’re not careful, you could be wasting more filament than you save in post-processing time.
Setting Up the Print: PLA & PETG Supports in Bambu Lab
For this test, I used:
🔹 Printer: Bambu Lab X1 Carbon
🔹 Filament: Overture PLA for the main print, Overture PETG for supports
🔹 Support Type: Tree supports (to minimize material usage)
To get the best results, I downloaded the latest Overture filament profiles from their website and imported them into Bambu Studio. These JSON files contain optimized settings for various printers and nozzle sizes, helping dial in the best print quality.
Then, in the slicer, I enabled Tree Supports and assigned PETG as the support material. Now, it was time to hit print!
Observations: How Did PETG Perform?
Material Waste from Swapping
🚨 One of the first things I noticed was the amount of wasted filament.
Because the printer has to purge material each time it switches between PLA and PETG, a huge pile of filament waste built up in the AMS carbon poop bin.
Compared to printing with a single material, the waste was significant.
With PLA supports on PLA: No filament needed to be purged, keeping waste to a minimum.
With PETG supports on PLA: Every swap meant purging filament, and by the end of the print, I had almost filled the entire bin with wasted material.
Support Removal: PETG vs. PLA Supports
🛠️ PETG Supports: As soon as I removed the print, the PETG supports were falling off effortlessly. No tools needed, just a few light taps, and they peeled right away.
🛠️ PLA Supports on PLA: These took more effort to remove. I had to use pliers in some areas, and in some spots, the PLA had bonded a little too well, requiring extra cleanup.
🌟 Winner for Easy Removal? PETG supports—by far.
But easy removal isn’t the only factor—does the extra waste justify the benefit?
Final Verdict: Should You Use PETG Supports for PLA Prints?
The Pros of PETG Supports on PLA:
✅ Easier removal – PETG supports peel off cleanly compared to PLA-on-PLA.
✅ Less post-processing – Overhangs stay sharper, reducing sanding and touch-ups.
✅ Better surface quality – Less chance of PLA supports leaving behind pockmarks.
The Cons of PETG Supports on PLA:
❌ Significant filament waste – Every material swap means purging extra filament.
❌ Longer print times – Swapping between filaments adds extra pause time to your print.
❌ Additional slicer setup required – You need to properly configure support settings to avoid print failures.
So, Is It Worth It?
For small, high-detail prints where you need super-clean overhangs, PETG supports can be useful. But for most prints, I’d say no—the filament waste far outweighs the benefit.
If removing supports is a struggle for you, try tweaking support interface settings or using Breakaway or soluble supports instead.
🧵 Materials List 📋:
Overture PLA: https://amzn.to/4jwEDDA
Overture PETG: https://amzn.to/3CmWcVF
📁 Download JSON Profiles: https://overture3d.com/pages/download
Model: STLFLX Okami Mack: https://platform.stlflix.com/product/okami-mask
What Do You Think?
Have you tried PETG supports on PLA prints? Did you find it worth it, or was the filament waste too much? Let me know in the comments below!