Free Resource
Print Settings & Materials Guide
Your quick reference for FDM 3D printing. Optimal settings for PLA, PETG, and ABS — plus troubleshooting tips from our team. Not sure what you need? Walk into Forgely Roy in Roy, Utah and we\'ll help you in person.
Material Settings
PLA
Best for beginners & general use
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is the most popular filament for a reason — it prints easily, looks great, and works on virtually every FDM printer. Forgely Performance PLA is manufactured right here in Roy, Utah with ±0.02mm tolerance for consistent, clog-free printing.
Recommended Settings
| Setting | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle Temp | 200–220°C | Start at 210°C |
| Bed Temp | 50–60°C | Glass or PEI recommended |
| Print Speed | 50–80 mm/s | Slower = better quality |
| Layer Height | 0.2mm | 0.1mm for detail, 0.3mm for speed |
| Infill | 15–20% | Increase for mechanical parts |
| Cooling | 100% | Essential for overhangs |
| Retraction | 1–6mm | Lower for direct drive |
Pros & Cons
Pro Tips
- →Store in a dry box or zip-lock bag — PLA absorbs moisture over time
- →Use a glue stick on glass beds for better adhesion
- →If stringing occurs, lower temp by 5°C increments
- →First layer should be slightly squished — adjust Z-offset if peeling
PETG
Best for functional & outdoor parts
PETG combines the ease of PLA printing with improved strength and temperature resistance. Great for mechanical parts, outdoor items, and anything that needs to flex slightly without breaking.
Recommended Settings
| Setting | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle Temp | 230–250°C | Start at 240°C |
| Bed Temp | 70–85°C | PEI or glue stick on glass |
| Print Speed | 40–60 mm/s | Slower than PLA |
| Layer Height | 0.2–0.3mm | Bonds well at thicker layers |
| Infill | 25–40% | Higher for strength |
| Cooling | 30–50% | Too much causes layer delamination |
| Retraction | 4–7mm | Needs more than PLA |
Pros & Cons
Pro Tips
- →PETG loves to string — increase retraction and lower temp if needed
- →Avoid printing first layer too close — PETG sticks aggressively
- →Dry filament before printing if you notice bubbles or popping
- →Use hairspray or glue stick to prevent over-adhesion on glass beds
ABS
Best for high-temp & engineering use
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a workhorse engineering plastic with excellent heat and impact resistance. It's more challenging to print than PLA but essential for automotive parts, electronics enclosures, and anything exposed to heat.
Recommended Settings
| Setting | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle Temp | 230–250°C | Start at 240°C |
| Bed Temp | 100–110°C | Heated bed required |
| Print Speed | 40–60 mm/s | Consistent speed reduces warping |
| Layer Height | 0.2–0.3mm | Standard works well |
| Infill | 30–50% | Higher for impact resistance |
| Cooling | 0% | NEVER use active cooling — causes warping |
| Enclosure | Required | Dramatically reduces warping |
Pros & Cons
Pro Tips
- →Use an enclosure or box around your printer — ambient temperature is critical
- →ABS fumes can be irritating — print in a ventilated area
- →Acetone-smooth finished parts for professional look
- →Slurry (ABS dissolved in acetone) improves bed adhesion dramatically
Troubleshooting Guide
Common FDM printing problems and how to fix them. If you\'re stuck, bring your printer in — we diagnose for free.
Warping / corners lifting
Likely Causes
- • Bed too cold
- • Too much cooling
- • Drafts in the room
Fixes
- →Increase bed temperature by 5°C
- →Add a brim (5–10mm) in your slicer
- →Use an enclosure or block drafts
- →Clean bed surface with IPA alcohol
Stringing / cobwebs
Likely Causes
- • Nozzle temp too high
- • Retraction too low
- • Print speed too slow during travel
Fixes
- →Lower nozzle temp by 5°C increments
- →Increase retraction distance and speed
- →Enable "combing" or "avoid crossing perimeters"
- →Increase travel speed
Layer delamination / weak prints
Likely Causes
- • Nozzle temp too low
- • Print speed too fast
- • Moisture in filament
Fixes
- →Increase nozzle temp by 5°C
- →Reduce print speed by 20%
- →Dry filament in oven at 45–55°C for 4–6 hours
- →Check filament diameter in slicer settings
Under-extrusion
Likely Causes
- • Partial clog
- • Wrong flow rate
- • Extruder slipping
- • Filament too thick
Fixes
- →Perform a cold pull to clear partial clog
- →Check extruder gear for wear or debris
- →Calibrate extruder steps/mm
- →Increase flow rate by 5% in slicer
First layer not sticking
Likely Causes
- • Z-offset too high
- • Bed not level
- • Dirty bed surface
Fixes
- →Lower Z-offset (baby-step down 0.05mm at a time)
- →Re-level bed — check all four corners
- →Clean bed with IPA alcohol
- →Use glue stick or hairspray for PLA
Clogged nozzle
Likely Causes
- • Carbonized filament
- • Debris in filament
- • Temperature too low during retraction
Fixes
- →Try a cold pull (heat to 200°C, cool to 90°C, pull firmly)
- →Use a 0.4mm acupuncture needle to clear
- →Replace nozzle (they wear out — especially with abrasive filaments)
- →Bring your printer to Forgely Roy for professional cleaning
Still stuck? Come in.
Our team at Forgely Roy in Roy, Utah diagnoses printer problems for free. Walk in any time during business hours and we\'ll help you get printing again.
5519 S 1900 W, Roy, UT 84067 · Mon–Fri 11–6, Sat 11–3