Print Preparation

Print Settings Finder

Select your filament material, extruder type, and nozzle size to get recommended temperature, speed, retraction, and cooling settings instantly.

What this tool solves

New to 3D printing? Not sure what temperature or speed to use? This tool gives you tested, science-based starting settings for any filament — so you can skip the guesswork and start printing with confidence.

1

Select your filament

Choose from 16+ materials including PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, Nylon, and specialty filaments.

2

Set your hardware

Pick your extruder type and nozzle size — both affect retraction and flow settings.

3

Get your settings

Review recommended values, material properties, and practical tips. Use as starting point and fine-tune.

Standard
PLA — Polylactic Acid
PLA+ — PLA Plus / Tough PLA
PETG — Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol
ABS — Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
ASA — Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate
Engineering
Nylon / PA — Polyamide (Nylon)
PC — Polycarbonate
PCTG — Polycyclohexylene Dimethylene Terephthalate Glycol
Flexible
TPU 95A — Thermoplastic Polyurethane (95A Shore)
TPU 85A — Thermoplastic Polyurethane (85A Shore — Soft)
Support
HIPS — High-Impact Polystyrene
PVA — Polyvinyl Alcohol
Specialty
Wood PLA — Wood Fiber Filled PLA
CF PLA — Carbon Fiber Reinforced PLA
Silk PLA — Silk / Glossy PLA
Glow PLA — Glow-in-the-Dark PLA

PLA

Polylactic Acidbeginner
High — widely tested

Core Print Settings

Nozzle Temp
200°C
190°C220°C
Bed Temp
50°C
40°C60°C
Print Speed
40–60mm/s

Advanced: up to: 100 mm/s

Retraction
0.5–1.5mm

Speed: 30–50 mm/s

Cooling Fan
80–100%

Full cooling after first 2 layers

Layer Height
0.2mm

Range: 0.08–0.3 mm

Advanced Settings

Enclosure
Optional

Moisture: Low

Max Volumetric Flow
11mm³/s

@ 0.4mm nozzle

Pressure Advance
0.02–0.06

Starting value

Material Science

Glass Transition60°C
Heat Deflection52°C
Tensile Strength47 MPa
Density1.24 g/cm³
Shrinkage0.3–0.5%
Best For:prototypingdecorativelow-stress parts

Practical Reference

Bed Surface

PEI (smooth or textured)
Glass with glue stick
Blue painter's tape
Drying45°C / 4h

Tips & Notes

✓Easiest filament to start with
✓Great for prototyping and decorative prints
✓Not suitable for high-temp or outdoor use

Watch out for

●Stringing at high temps
●Warping on large flat prints
●Heat creep in hot environments
Data Source: Based on Polymaker, Prusament, and eSUN manufacturer data sheets
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Complete 3D Printing Settings Guide

Getting the right print settings is crucial for successful 3D prints. Temperature, speed, retraction, and cooling all interact with each other and vary by material. Our Print Settings Finder uses manufacturer specifications and community-tested data to give you reliable starting points.

Unlike basic temperature charts, this tool considers your specific hardware setup — extruder type, nozzle size, and experience level — to provide tailored recommendations with confidence ratings.

The material science data (glass transition temperature, heat deflection, tensile strength) helps you choose the right filament for your application. Understanding these properties means better design decisions and more successful prints.