Polymaker Panchroma Matte PLA: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-25

Summary

Cardboard spool absorbs moisture — opened spools take up moisture faster than plastic, and wet filament strings and shows weak layer adhesion. Dry at 55°C for 6 h and store sealed with desiccant; this is storage, not a defect, so warranty does not apply. [1][7][8]
Matte surface scratches visibly — the matte finish shows scratches more than glossy PLA, especially on high-touch parts; a matte clear lacquer is the reported workaround. [7][8]
Lower layer adhesion — tensile strength is reported at 23.2 MPa (X-Y) and 12.2 MPa (Z), and a retailer spec cites 20.9 MPa; the material is unsuitable for functional or load-bearing parts. Published figures conflict, so do not size a part around either number. [3][7]
Supports leave white scarring — supports usually remove by hand but can leave white marks on visible matte surfaces. [7]
Some colors are softer — some colors need individual print-setting adjustments and calibration. [5]
High-speed results are inconsistent — many owners slow down for the best surface quality; treat 300 mm/s as the manufacturer specification. [5][1]
Cardboard spools are noisy in AMS units — friction and occasional winding inconsistencies cause jams; there is no RFID or NFC tag, so slicer profiles need manual setup. [5][4]
Colors rotate in and out of the catalog — some colors are discontinued or reintroduced, so a color used on a previous project may not be available later. [8]

Price anchors:

Bulk: about $21.99/kg for five spools and about $19.99/kg for ten spools. [7]
Competitor reference points cited by StackSheriff: Hatchbox PLA about $18-20/kg, Bambu Lab Basic PLA about $20/kg, Prusament PLA $33-36/kg, eSUN ePLA-Matte $15-20/kg. [7]

Thresholds:

At or below about $20/kg on sale: a strong buy for cosmetic prints. [7]
About $19-22/kg: fairly priced for display, cosplay and decorative work where the matte finish removes post-processing labor. [7][8]
Above about $25/kg: compare eSUN ePLA-Matte or Bambu PLA Matte first. [7]

Named alternatives:

eSUN ePLA-Matte — the better choice when Panchroma exceeds about $25/kg. [7]
Bambu PLA Matte — the better choice when you need AMS-friendly matte filament or Panchroma exceeds about $25/kg. [7]
Hatchbox PLA — the better choice when you do not need a matte finish and want standard PLA strength. [7]