SUNLU PLA 3D Printer Filament Sky Blue 1KG: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-26

Summary

SUNLU PLA Sky Blue is a budget 1.75 mm standard PLA spool where owners most often report stringing and moisture-related surface finish problems, usually fixed by drying and tuning [9][10][13]. Running costs are low: desiccant, dry storage and occasional drying, with no subscription or lock-in. It is a good buy around $11-17 per kg for drafts, prototypes and volume printing; choose premium PLA for dimensional or load-bearing parts [8][9].

Common problems and fixes

Stringing — reported by owners on SUNLU PLA and PLA+; usually manageable with drying and tuning, plus retraction of 0.8-1.2 mm at 30-40 mm/s. [10][13]
Moisture sensitivity and poor surface finish — open-stored spools absorb moisture, causing stringing and rough surfaces; dry about 4-6 h at 45-50°C and store sealed with desiccant. [9][10][13]
Batch-to-batch variance — a new spool may need a temperature tweak; minor color differences between production batches are reported. [7][9]
Not suited to tight-tolerance, dimensional or load-bearing parts — standard PLA consistency limits; premium PLA (Prusament-class, PolyMaker) is the better choice there. [8][9]
Spool may not fit enclosed feeders or AMS-style systems — the manufacturer warns the reel must fit an enclosed feeder, so AMS compatibility is not guaranteed. [6]
Color naming ambiguity — “Sky Blue” appears in the store image set but not in the 20-color code table on the sunlu.com PLA page, and hex values differ by source; verify the listing at checkout. [1][3][5]

Parts and consumables

No replaceable parts or consumables reported.

Yearly running cost

Not enough data. Ownership costs are limited to desiccant, dry storage and occasional drying (about 4-6 h at 45-50°C per open spool); there is no subscription or lock-in.

When it is a good buy

Good buy around $11-17 per kg for drafts, prototypes and volume printing. 3D Filament Profiles listed Sky Blue at $11.49 (CA), $11.59 (US) and $14.49 (EU), updated about 17 h before page capture; Easy4DPrint estimates about $15.99/kg; SpoolScout lists 1 kg options from $12.59 to $17.08 (figures collected October 2026). Prices are dynamic and should be verified at checkout. Avoid for tight-tolerance, heat-exposed or load-bearing parts; premium PLA (Prusament-class, PolyMaker) is the better choice there. [3][4][9]