The Supports
What's PVA?
A water-soluble support material: print it under the overhangs, then dissolve it away in water.
- Dissolves inwater
- Pairs withPLA
- Store itvery dry
Nozzle 195 °C · Bed 60 °C
Prusa, for PVA+. Typical ranges from one maker’s data sheet. Brands differ: the label on your spool wins.
Why it matters
- Supports for complex shapes where ordinary supports would be hard to remove.
- PLA is the best partner: their printing temperatures are similar.
- PVA is usually cheaper than BVOH, but more likely to clog the nozzle.
Tips from the workshop
- It is very hygroscopic: keep it in a dry box, or it stops sticking and can clog.
- Dissolving takes several hours; warmer water helps, but not too hot.
- You need a printer that prints two materials (a multi-material unit or a second extruder).