# Why do different colors of the same filament print differently?

Keep a profile per color. The leading comment on the same-gcode PLA thread says different colors are different material and need their own profile, while the white-PLA, black-mark, and black-PETG threads in this bank are a clog, a purge, and a Z offset.

Keep a profile per color. The leading comment on the same-gcode PLA thread says different colors are different material and need their own profile, while the white-PLA, black-mark, and black-PETG threads in this bank are a clog, a purge, and a Z offset.

One product row is one nozzle range. A second color of that product can still want its own flow and temperature inside that range.

## Same gcode, two colors

[r/FixMyPrint 1jzuaev](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixMyPrint/comments/1jzuaev/) prints Spectrum Premium PLA, white then black, on an Ender 3 Pro. The score-21 reply says different colors are different material and that each color needs a profile. A score-3 reply splits light shades from dark shades and says only a few colors needed their own third profile. Another score-3 reply is at 220 °C (428 °F), a 45 °C (113 °F) bed, and 40 mm/s. Those three numbers are that comment. They sit inside [Prusament PLA](/brand/prusament/pla) at 205–225 °C (401–437 °F) and 40–60 °C (104–140 °F), and inside [PolyLite PLA](/brand/polymaker/polylite-pla) at 190–230 °C (374–446 °F) and 25–60 °C (77–140 °F). [PLA Basic](/brand/bambu-lab/pla-basic) includes 220 °C (428 °F), and 45 °C (113 °F) is the top of its 35–45 °C (95–113 °F) bed. Spectrum Premium PLA is not a catalog id. Flow for a single color is on [flow calibration](/answers/flow). PLA nozzle choices are on [PLA temperatures](/answers/pla_temp) and [nozzle temperature in general](/answers/temp_general).

## Matte black PETG

[r/prusa3d 16cnyzd](https://www.reddit.com/r/prusa3d/comments/16cnyzd/) asks how Prusament Matte Black PETG compares with Galaxy Black and Jet Black. A score-3 reply likes the look, thinks it is less flexible, and says they cannot prove it. Another says a different maker's matte black hides seams. [Prusament Matte PETG](/brand/prusament/matte-petg) lists 240–260 °C (464–500 °F) and a bed of 70–90 °C (158–194 °F). This page does not add a stiffness number. [PETG](/material/petg) is the material page.

## Threads that are not pigment

[r/BambuLab 158cktx](https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/158cktx/) is white PLA stuck after a push at 250 °C (482 °F). The leading reply heats a hex key, pushes it into the filament, and pulls. That is a clog, not a white-pigment temperature.

[r/BambuLab 17tpo7j](https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/17tpo7j/) is black PLA marking other colors. The score-37 reply says the purge is too small.

[r/FixMyPrint zxnw8h](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixMyPrint/comments/zxnw8h/) is Hatchbox black PETG. The replies say the nozzle is too high. [Hatchbox PETG](/brand/hatchbox/petg) lists 230–260 °C (446–500 °F) and a bed of 70–90 °C (158–194 °F), and drying is empty on that row. [Prusament](/brand/prusament) and [Polymaker](/brand/polymaker) are the brand indexes for the ranked spools.

Updated 2026-10-20. Sources accessed 2026-10-20. Use case: Troubleshooting.

## Ranked filaments

| Rank | Filament | Nozzle | Bed | Price per kg |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Prusament PLA | 205–225 °C (401–437 °F) | 40–60 °C (104–140 °F) | — |
| 2 | Polymaker Polylite PLA | 190–230 °C (374–446 °F) | 25–60 °C (77–140 °F) | — |
| 3 | Bambu Lab PLA Basic | 190–230 °C (374–446 °F) | 35–45 °C (95–113 °F) | — |
| 4 | Prusament Matte PETG | 240–260 °C (464–500 °F) | 70–90 °C (158–194 °F) | — |

## What the community says

r/FixMyPrint 1jzuaev is the same gcode on an Ender 3 Pro with a Micro Swiss hotend. White Spectrum Premium PLA was dialed in, and black Spectrum Premium PLA underextruded. The score-21 reply says different colors are different material and that each one needs a profile. A score-3 reply keeps two profiles, light shades and dark shades, and says only a couple of colors needed a third. Another score-3 reply is printing at 220 °C (428 °F), a 45 °C (113 °F) bed, and 40 mm/s in OrcaSlicer. r/prusa3d 16cnyzd asks about Prusament Matte Black PETG. A score-3 reply likes the look and thinks it is less flexible than other PETG, and says they cannot prove it. Another score-3 reply says a matte black from a different maker hides vertical seams. r/BambuLab 158cktx is white PLA stuck in a hotend after a heat to 250 °C (482 °F) failed to push it out. The leading reply is a heated hex key used as a pull, which is a clog method. r/BambuLab 17tpo7j is black PLA marking other colors on an X1C with an AMS. The score-37 reply says the black purge is too low. r/FixMyPrint zxnw8h is Hatchbox black PETG on painter's tape. The replies say the nozzle is too far off the bed.

## Sources

- [Prusament PETG technical data sheet](https://www.prusa3d.com/file/3464616/prusament-petg-technical-data-sheet.pdf) (datasheet)
- [PolyLite PLA product page](https://us.polymaker.com/products/polylite-pla) (manufacturer)
- [Bambu PLA Basic technical data sheet](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0584/7236/6216/files/Bambu_PLA_Basic_Technical_Data_Sheet_bf3411ce-be39-4db7-9669-1b4671d2196b.pdf?v=1734060943) (datasheet)
- [Prusa drying filament guide](https://help.prusa3d.com/article/drying-filament_332086) (manufacturer)
- [Community source, r/FixMyPrint 1jzuaev](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixMyPrint/comments/1jzuaev/) (reddit)
- [Community source, r/prusa3d 16cnyzd](https://www.reddit.com/r/prusa3d/comments/16cnyzd/) (reddit)
- [Community source, r/BambuLab 158cktx](https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/158cktx/) (reddit)
- [Community source, r/BambuLab 17tpo7j](https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/17tpo7j/) (reddit)
- [Community source, r/FixMyPrint zxnw8h](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixMyPrint/comments/zxnw8h/) (reddit)

HTML: https://filamentfacts.com/answers/filament_color