Why is printing with white filament so hard?  

Re: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

Can't say I've encountered any issues with white. But so far I've only used TronXY to print some lithophanes and a few other misc items, though one of them did go to a Z height of 200.

Correction: I've also used a small amount of AmazonBasics white.

Re: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

I can't say that I've had the same experience, though I've only ever printed eSun PLA+ in white and it prints about the same as any other eSun PLA+ I've printed.

Re: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

No issues with Amazon, Hatchbox, or eSun white PLA, ABS, or PLA.

Re: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

Only had my MK3S for about 2 weeks now, can't say I've had problems with white but then again it's the only color I've used so far lol (Hatchbox White PLA fyi)

I've had a few issues but I account that to my bed being horribly uneven across the plate (massively disappointing for a nearly $800 purchase but I digress) but hopefully by buying some springs and then when the 7x7 bed mesh feature comes out I can fix that up real quick, or at least a lot better. I do have one relatively flat area that I've been using for all the prints I've done so far, and while I still have like .05ish variance in that block everything I've printed there has worked and the few fails I did have were all on the same model that I couldn't quite find a good way to lay it to print

Re: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

I've had White crash on layer 2+ and finally found I had to disable the Filament sensor in order to complete the print.
No problems found using other Darker colors. Lately I just keep the FSenor disabled as default.

Running MK3 with 3.5.2 via Octoprint.

Re: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

It's because white is made up of the whole spectrum so you are dealing with all the issues from the other colours.

Re: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

It's because white will have the most titanium dioxide in it to colour it white, this will affect the properties of the plastic.

Here is an article which explains it all a bit better if you are interested, I know it's for injection moulding, but the same things apply to FDM filament.
https://www.ptonline.com/articles/understanding-the-science-of-color

Re: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

Fantastic read. Thanks.

RE: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

Posted by: @p-larsen

I've printed with lots of different manufacturers filaments, with ABS, PETG and PLA (and others) and for some reason, the same filament, from the same vendor, just in white vs. pretty much any other filament I've used, is VERY hard to get to print right. From adhesion issues, to "crashes", to filament just missing on the plate ... I've seen it all.

I encounter just the same problem. PRUSA ABS white is extremely warping, although I have an enclosure with 45 celsius. Corners are lifting from print bed, overhangs lifting upwards, x and y dimensions of parts vary 1-2 tenth of a millimeter size depending if the layer is solid or infilled. 

Exactly the same part printed with PRUSA ABS black with all same settings looks totally different. nearly no warping, nearly perfect.

There must be a quality issue or an issue with color additives.

RE: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

I've printed with white ABS from Hatchbox and RepRapper and they print just fine, identical in performance to black, gray and so-called transparent ABS.

I always use a release agent (for the past 6 months or so, Layerneer) and it's in an enclosure, but before I got the enclosure I regularly used a draft shield, except on the very short small pieces.

I've also used white PLA and PETg from Hatchbox and off-brand suppliers and they all print fine.

Solutech white PLA obviously does not have as much pigment as the rest, it's almost semi-translucent.

RE: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

@p-larsen

I have also experienced this, I was able to find some whites that printed fine, but most certainly have noticed what your describing. conversely I have noticed that most of the black filaments I've used have printed wonderfully.

My conclusion, when I was looking for an answer to this several years ago was the same as chocki's answer.

I still like the Hatchbox line of PLA's, but wouldn't take another roll of their white if they gave it to me, I've been using Overture brand for my whites lately and its been printing very clean both the PLA and PETG.

Good Luck

RE: Why is printing with white filament so hard?

I too have experienced an issue with white HatchBox filament.   I'm new to 3D printing and I've only printed about 2 rolls of filament so far with fantastic results in black and red on my Creality Ender 3 S1 pro.   I print a lot of the same items as I refine my CAD skills and add features.   Yesterday, I was printing a shield for my DSC alarm panel keypad and didn't have enough HatchBox black to complete the print.   I switched to a sealed box of HatchBox white and that's when the problems started.   The first layer wouldn't adhere properly no matter what combination of heat or speed settings that I tried.   After more than a dozen combinations, I abandoned the effort and switched to red HatchBox filament from a sealed box. 

Switching to the red filament solved all of the problems that I was having with the white.  As @p-larsen has said, " . . . wouldn't take another roll of their white if they gave it to me."

The question remains, how do you set the printer to adjust for the issues with white filament?

Posted by: @swiss_cheese

@p-larsen

I have also experienced this, I was able to find some whites that printed fine, but most certainly have noticed what your describing. conversely I have noticed that most of the black filaments I've used have printed wonderfully.

My conclusion, when I was looking for an answer to this several years ago was the same as chocki's answer.

I still like the Hatchbox line of PLA's, but wouldn't take another roll of their white if they gave it to me, I've been using Overture brand for my whites lately and its been printing very clean both the PLA and PETG.

Good Luck