3D Print Settings

Most of the slicing software available has default settings that will get you very close to ideal settings. Specific recommendations for settings are also found on most reels of filaments. Using the recommended settings is always the best as they may vary based on brand and formulation. This article is intended as a general reference in case your missing any information. It will also help you know whether the material is within your printers capabilities before making a purchase.

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

Temperature:

• Nozzle: 180-220°C (typically around 200°C for most brands)

• Bed: 50-60°C. PLA doesn't require high bed temperatures; the goal is just to ensure adhesion without warping.

Print Speed:

• General Speed: 40-60 mm/s. PLA prints well at moderate speeds, but you can go slower for more detailed prints or faster for large, less detailed objects.

• First Layer: Slow down to 20-30 mm/s for better adhesion.

• Layer Height:

• Default: 0.2mm for a balance of speed and quality.

• High Quality: 0.1mm or even 0.05mm for finer details, though this increases print time.

• Draft: 0.3mm for quick prints where detail is less critical.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Temperature:

• Nozzle: 220-250°C (ABS needs higher temperatures due to its higher melting point)

• Bed: 90-110°C. ABS benefits from a heated bed to prevent warping.

Print Speed:

• General Speed: 30-50 mm/s. ABS can be more finicky, so slower speeds help with layer adhesion.

• First Layer: Around 20 mm/s for better bed adhesion.

Layer Height:

• Default: 0.2-0.3mm. ABS tends to be more forgiving with slightly larger layer heights due to its flow characteristics.

• High Quality: Reduce to 0.1mm for detailed work, but be cautious about stability due to ABS's tendency to warp.

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

Temperature:

• Nozzle: 230-250°C. PETG has a wide temperature range but usually prints best in the middle.

• Bed: 70-90°C. A moderate bed temp helps with adhesion without causing excessive warping.

Print Speed:

• General Speed: 40-60 mm/s. PETG is versatile, allowing for slightly faster speeds than ABS.

• First Layer: 25-35 mm/s to ensure good adhesion.

Layer Height:

• Default: 0.2mm, similar to PLA for good all-around performance.

• High Quality: 0.1mm for intricate details, though PETG's bridging capabilities can handle finer layers well.

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

Temperature:

• Nozzle: 210-230°C. TPU benefits from slightly higher temperatures for better flow.

• Bed: 30-60°C. Lower bed temperatures are often sufficient due to TPU's flexibility.

Print Speed:

• General Speed: 20-30 mm/s. TPU requires slower speeds because of its flexibility; too fast and it might not extrude properly.

• First Layer: Slow down significantly for adhesion, around 15-20 mm/s.

Layer Height:

• Default: 0.2mm, but TPU can be printed with slightly thicker layers due to its forgiving nature.

• High Quality: 0.1mm if you need detail, but keep in mind the print time will increase.

General Tips for All Filaments:

• Retraction: Adjust retraction distance and speed. Flexible materials like TPU require less retraction to prevent grinding, while ABS might need more to prevent stringing.

• Cooling:

  • PLA and PETG benefit from fans to cool layers quickly, reducing stringing and improving layer adhesion.

  • ABS might require reduced fan speed or no fan at all to prevent warping.

• Bed Leveling: For all materials, ensure your bed is leveled correctly. Poor leveling can lead to adhesion issues regardless of filament type.

• Environment Control: For materials like ABS, controlling room temperature and reducing drafts can significantly improve print quality.

• First Layer: Always slow down the first layer to ensure adhesion. Adjust Z-offset if necessary to achieve the right squish without smushing the filament too much.

• Experiment: Each printer and filament brand can behave differently. Use test prints like Benchy or calibration cubes to fine-tune settings for your specific setup.

By adjusting these settings according to the filament's properties, you can optimize your 3D prints for both quality and efficiency. Remember, these are starting points; your best settings might differ slightly based on your printer's performance and the specific filament batch you're using.