General FAQ

About Protopasta

What is Protopasta? Is it made of Pasta? Can I eat it?

While our filament may resemble spaghetti, Protopasta is not actually pasta. The name is a combination of our company, Protoplant, and the pasta-like shape of filament. #donteatthepasta

Where is Protopasta made?

All Protopasta products are produced at Protoplant, in Vancouver, Washington, USA. Read more about ProtoPlant and our story here.

Google says you offer 3d printing services. Is this true?

Our crew is hard at work producing quality filament, so 3d printing services are not something we can offer at the time. There are a number of services available for both large and small projects. We do not have experience with these producers, so we encourage our customers to conduct their own research before committing.

Product Help

What’s the difference between PLA and HTPLA?

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a general term for a thermoplastic monomer created from an organic compound (biomass) such as corn starch or sugar cane. These sources are renewable and sustainable, allowing for a future-forward alternative to petroleum-based polymers.

At their core, PLA and HTPLA are the same, but HTPLA (heat-treatable polylactic acid) can be heat-treated for higher temperature resistance. Once printed, PLA can only withstand about 55C before you begin to see warping; alternatively, HTPLA can withstand up to 155C. This is comparable to ABS, allowing for a non-toxic alternative when exposure to heat is inevitable.  

Do I have to heat-treat HTPLA?

Absolutely not! HTPLA performs just like PLA, before and after printing. You should expect to use the PLA settings you're used to, and expect the same results once finished. However, if you find yourself printing something that will be exposed to a hot environment (the dash of your car, a bike accessory in a hot AZ garage, etc), consider HTPLA, and follow our step-by-step guidance for how to heat-treat properly.

I'm trying to start x project. How do I know what product is the best filament for the job?

When deciding on a material, it's best to start by asking yourself about your goals.

Is this a practical print where color doesn't matter? Or perhaps you'll be painting it, so the base color is irrelevant? Consider our Recycled Black PLA

Looking for a lot of flash and sparkle? That's what we specialize in, so check out our variety!

Hoping for a metal print without investing in a metal printer? We offer five metal-filled materials that print just like regular PLA! No upgrades are necessary, but we do recommend a hardened brass nozzle for wear and tear. 

Looking for something a little different? Our support team is here to answer any specific questions you might have, so don't hesitate to reach out for some further suggestions. You can find us at support@protoplant.com

I can't find the technical information I need on your data sheets. Do you have this information somewhere?

 

As a small manufacturing facility, we simply don't have the capability to perform such testing. Additionally, due to the mechanical properties of 3D printed parts being highly variable based on design and print orientation the technical datasheets would provide only a small indicator of suitability for a given purpose.

As a starting point, our suppliers are able to provide information from their own testing. Use this at your own discretion.

We recommend purchasing samples to test the materials for your given design intent before committing to a design decision. Samples for all our materials are available on our website.

Is Protopasta food-safe?

There are a number of organizations that provide food-grade (meaning it can be consumed safely) or food-safe (meaning it can come in contact with food safely) certifications. These include documentation from FDA, ISO, GFSI, and the GMP, among others. It is a lengthy audit of suppliers' practices, raw materials, all additives, equipment on site, and employee certification. It is possible for a filament manufacturer to become certified through any number of audits. However, Protoplant, Inc has not pursued this route for two reasons:

  • A food-safe product must have documentation of certification at every step in the process, from the raw materials through the final printing process. So while it may be possible for a filament manufacturer to become food-safe certified, the customer would also need to complete the same audit with their own printing setup in order to claim that their end product is food-safe.
  • The nature of FDM implies that you will have layer lines. Those layer lines are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria or mold, as they are extremely difficult to clean with soap and a brush. Additionally, because PLA can only withstand up to 60C, it is impossible to sanitize your product with heat alone.

Protoplant, Inc, has not obtained food-safe certification from any qualified organizations, and cannot be held responsible for any harm done by allowing our product to come in contact with food. The customer assumes all risk of allowing Protopasta to come in contact with food, and will hold Protoplant, Inc, harmless from any threat associated with food contact.

There are a number of food-safe sealants on the market that could allow for safe contact with food. This may aid in protection of the layer lines. Additionally, if the food product that comes in contact with the printed product is then baked, like in the case of cookie cutters, this process could kill off any associated bacteria.

What settings should I use on my filament dryer?

In general, we don't recommend filament dryers, so we can't provide much guidance. In our experience, it's much better to let your material acclimate to your print environment, then adjust settings as needed. This generally means printing at the lowest possible temperature in combination with the highest possible speed. Given that all print environments will be unique, you may need to play with the settings to find your ideal parameters.

We understand that some environments may require drying, as it is possible for PLA to absorb moisture. In this case, we would refer you to the dryer manufacturer's settings.

Payment & Shipping

What kind of payment options are accepted?

We currently accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, PayPal, JCB, Diners Club, and Venmo.

Do you collect tax on my purchase?

We are required to collect tax in a number of states, with that list always growing. Currently, this list includes: 

  • Alaska
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Maryland
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington

Do you live in one of these states, but believe you are tax exempt? Please fill out this form so we can add you to our exemption list!

We do not collect tax/VAT on International orders. 

How long does shipping take?

Domestic (US) orders shipped USPS Priority Mail should arrive in 1-3 days of shipment. Our lightweight, economy service uses USPS First Class Mail which requires as much as 1 week for transit from time of shipment. 

If you require faster shipping or a guarantee of timely delivery, please choose one of the additional options from UPS or FedEx.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes! Depending on your local government rules, additional TAXES, DUTIES, and IMPORT FEES may be required to receive your shipment. It's up to you to understand and pay these additional costs. UPS and FedEx both offer excellent International rates (plus customs). DHL, while more expensive upfront, includes many of these fees, which also allows for faster transit time (in most cases). 

How much does shipping cost?

This is 100% dependent on your chosen carrier, and the size of your order. When checking out, Shopify will show you the rates of any available options. For large orders, it may be beneficial to request a custom quote; reach out to our support team for help with that!

For domestic orders (lower 48), we offer free shipping on any order over $49. 

Where can I buy Protopasta 3d printer filament in store?

Protopasta filaments can be found at select retailers worldwide. We have a full list of current local retailers that carry our products, and we welcome new retailers who would like to carry our products in their store or on their website.

Returns & Exchanges

Can I return my product?

At Protoplant's discretion, returns and replacements will be accepted within 90 days of purchase. Please check the material label before opening your product, as only sealed products can be returned. Shipping of items for exchange or refund is the customer's responsibility. Contact Protoplant at info@protoplant.com before shipping any returns to obtain an RMA number. 

My item arrived defective. What can I do?

Protoplant will pay shipping to return and/or replace any product with manufacturing defects or not matching your order.

The filament color wasn’t what I expected. Can I exchange for another color?

You are welcome to return any unopened spools in sellable condition, with return shipping at your expense. Once we receive the spool in sellable condition, we will issue a refund for the cost of the product. However, we do not make exchanges, so you'll need to simply place a new order for the preferred color.