Best first material
Easy to print, stiff and ideal for models and prototypes.
Open material guide →3D Printing Made Simple
Better prints start with the first layer.
Learn the basics, identify visible defects and work through practical fixes without getting lost in technical jargon.
Clear starting points · Safe checks first · Settings you can adapt
Layer 68 / 1000.20 mm
Visual diagnosis
Start with what you can see.
Pick the closest-looking symptom. Each guide starts with quick checks before moving to calibration or hardware.
Your first successful print
Six calm steps from box to benchy.
Follow the sequence once, then return to the exact step that needs attention.
1
Assemble
Check the frame, belts and moving parts.
2
Level
Set a consistent nozzle-to-bed gap.
3
Load
Feed dry filament through a clean nozzle.
4
Slice
Choose a safe profile for your printer.
5
Print
Watch the full first layer go down.
6
Review
Change one variable before trying again.
Materials without the mystery
Choose filament for the job, not the hype.
These are starting ranges. Your printer, nozzle, filament and room temperature can move the right value.
Durable everyday parts
Tougher and more heat resistant, but more prone to stringing.
Open material guide →Flexible parts
Flexible and impact resistant; print slowly with a controlled path.
Open material guide →Heat and outdoor use
Strong and heat resistant; enclosure and ventilation are important.
Open material guide →Slicer essentials
Know which setting to touch first.
A reliable profile is a baseline, not a promise. Start inside a safe range, test a small model and adjust one variable at a time.
| Setting | PLA | PETG | What changes it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozzle | 205 °C | 235 °C | Brand, speed, hotend |
| Bed | 55 °C | 75 °C | Plate and room |
| Layer height | 0.20 mm | 0.20 mm | Nozzle and detail |
| Print speed | 45–60 mm/s | 35–50 mm/s | Motion system |
Keep learning
Recent guides, written for the next print.
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3D Printer Belt Tension: Diagnosing Layer Shifts, Ringing and How to Fix It
Loose belts cause layer shifts and ringing near corners; overtight belts wear bearings and make motors skip. How to test…
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Prusa’s INDX Toolchanger Is Shipping Now, With New Features Since Its Reveal
Prusa’s INDX toolchanger for the CORE One and CORE One+ is shipping in volume, with automatic tool calibration, a redesigned…
-
Filament Tangle: Why a Spool Locks Up and How to Clear It
A filament tangle happens on the spool itself, not at the extruder, when one loop of filament slips under another…
Safety before troubleshooting
Let the hot parts cool. Disconnect power before electrical work.
Nozzle cleaning, belt checks and electronics require different precautions. Every maintenance guide clearly marks hot surfaces, moving parts and tasks that belong with a qualified technician.
Your next print can be better
Describe the symptom. Start with the most likely fix.
The troubleshooting hub narrows the library by print stage, material and the action you are comfortable taking.