10 3D Printing Tips I Wish I Knew When Starting

When I got my first 3D printer two years ago, I was excited but quickly overwhelmed. The learning curve was steep, and I made plenty of mistakes. Here are the top tips I wish someone had told me from the start.

1. Level Your Bed (Really Level It)

This seems obvious, but it's the #1 cause of print failures. Don't just level it once—check it regularly. Temperature changes, vibrations, and adjustments all affect bed leveling.

Pro tip: Print a bed leveling test pattern before starting any important print. I use a 5-point test that checks all corners and the center.

2. The First Layer Is Everything

If your first layer isn't perfect, stop the print. Seriously. A bad first layer means:

• Poor adhesion
• Warping
• Failed prints
• Wasted time and filament

Signs of a good first layer:

• Slightly squished but not too flat
• No gaps between lines
• Smooth, even appearance
• Good adhesion to the bed

3. Temperature Towers Are Your Friend

Don't just use the default temperature settings on the filament spool. Every printer is different. Print a temperature tower to find the sweet spot for your specific printer and filament.

I keep a spreadsheet of optimal temperatures for each filament brand and type I use. It saves so much troubleshooting time.

4. Dry Your Filament

This was a revelation for me. Filament absorbs moisture from the air, which causes:

• Stringing and oozing
• Poor layer adhesion
• Inconsistent extrusion
• Popping sounds during printing

I built a simple filament dry box using airtight containers and rechargeable silica gel packs. For really wet filament, I use a food dehydrator before printing.

5. Slow Down for Better Quality

When I started, I cranked up the speed to get faster prints. Big mistake. Slowing down improves:

• Detail quality
• Layer adhesion
• Reliability
• Surface finish

For detailed prints, I print at 40-50mm/s. For functional parts where speed matters, I'll go up to 60-70mm/s but never faster.

6. Invest in a Quality Build Surface

I struggled with adhesion issues until I upgraded my build surface. I've tried:

• **Glass**: Smooth finish but requires adhesive
• **PEI**: Great adhesion, parts pop off when cooled
• **Textured PEI**: My favorite—perfect for PETG
• **Magnetic Flex Plate**: Super convenient, just flex to remove parts

Different materials work better with different surfaces. Experiment to find what works for your needs.

7. Master Support Settings

Supports are necessary but can be a pain. Key settings to adjust:

• **Support Density**: 10-15% is usually enough
• **Support Z Distance**: Affects how easy they are to remove
• **Support Type**: Tree supports use less material and are easier to remove
• **Support Interface**: Adds a layer between support and model for better finish

I use tree supports for almost everything now. They're amazing.

8. Calibrate Your E-Steps

Out of the box, your printer might not be extruding exactly the right amount of filament. Calibrating your E-steps ensures accurate extrusion.

This is a one-time thing (unless you change your extruder), but it makes a huge difference in print quality and consistency.

9. Keep a Print Journal

I maintain a simple log of every print:

• Date and time
• Filament type and brand
• Temperature settings
• Speed settings
• Success/failure and why

This has been invaluable for troubleshooting issues and finding optimal settings. Plus, it's fun to look back and see how much you've learned.

10. Join the Community

The 3D printing community is incredibly helpful. Join:

• r/3Dprinting on Reddit
• Facebook groups for your specific printer
• Discord servers for 3D printing
• Local maker spaces

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Everyone started where you are now, and people love helping newcomers.

Bonus Tips

Organization

Keep your workspace organized. I use labeled bins for:

• Different filament types
• Spare parts
• Tools
• Failed prints (for recycling)

Maintenance Schedule

Set reminders for regular maintenance:

• **Weekly**: Clean build plate, check belt tension
• **Monthly**: Lubricate Z-axis, check all screws
• **Quarterly**: Deep clean, check wiring

Test Prints

Keep a collection of test prints for troubleshooting:

• Benchy (the classic)
• Calibration cube
• Temperature towers
• Retraction tests
• Bridging tests

Common Issues and Quick Fixes

Stringing: Lower temperature, increase retraction distance

Warping: Use brim or raft, increase bed temperature

Layer Shifting: Check belt tension, reduce speed

Under-extrusion: Check for clogs, increase temperature

Over-extrusion: Calibrate E-steps, reduce flow rate

Conclusion

3D printing has a learning curve, but it's absolutely worth it. These tips would have saved me countless hours of frustration and many kilograms of wasted filament.

Remember: every failed print is a learning opportunity. Don't get discouraged. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and most importantly, have fun creating!

What tips would you add to this list? Let me know!