Starting-point temperatures, fan speeds and enclosure requirements for the six most common FDM filament types. Calibrate from these defaults; do not treat them as final settings.
| Material | Nozzle temp | Bed temp | Cooling fan | First layer speed | Enclosure | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 200–215°C | 55°C | 50–100% | 25 mm/s | Not needed | Beginner |
| PETG | 235–245°C | 80°C | 15–25% | 20 mm/s | Not needed | Intermediate |
| ABS | 240–250°C | 105°C | 0% | 20 mm/s | Required | Advanced |
| ASA | 245–255°C | 105°C | 0% | 20 mm/s | Required | Advanced |
| TPU | 220–230°C | 65°C | 30–40% | 15 mm/s | Not needed | Expert |
| Nylon | 250–270°C | 85°C | 10–20% | 20 mm/s | Recommended | Expert |
| Primary need | Material | Key requirement | Most common first-print mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| First prints / learning | PLA | Nothing special | Temperature above 225°C causes stringing |
| Strong functional parts | PETG | Low fan speed | Too much fan weakens layer bonds |
| Heat resistance above 80°C | ABS | Enclosed, ventilated | Printing without enclosure causes warping |
| Outdoor / UV-exposed parts | ASA | Enclosed, slower than ABS | Printing at ABS speed wastes the spool |
| Flexible / gaskets / grips | TPU | Zero or minimal retraction | Any retraction causes clogging on Bowden setups |
| Maximum structural strength | Nylon | Dry 12 h before printing | Printing undried Nylon causes warping and delamination |
| Material | Warping risk | Moisture sensitivity | All-metal hotend? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Low | Low | Not required |
| PETG | Low | Medium | Not required |
| ABS | High | Low | Not required |
| ASA | High | Low | Not required |
| TPU | Medium | High | Not required |
| Nylon | Medium | Extreme | Required |
All-metal hotend required for Nylon because PTFE-lined hotends degrade above 240°C with sustained use. ABS and ASA can use standard hotends but produce fumes - ventilation is required.
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