PETG filament has become one of the most popular materials for desktop FDM 3D printing due to its strength, durability, ease of printing, and appearance. Getting the best results when printing with PETG requires dialing in the right temperatures for the nozzle, bed, and even chamber if printing in an enclosed printer. This comprehensive guide covers the optimal temperature ranges for PETG based on expert recommendations and hands-on testing.
Nozzle Temperature Recommendations for PETG 3D Printing
The nozzle temperature is one of the most critical settings for clean, strong PETG prints. PETG filament has a glass transition temperature between 75-85°C, meaning it starts to soften and melt in this range. However, the optimal nozzle temp for smooth extrusion and layer adhesion is higher.
Most PETG filament manufacturers recommend nozzle temps between 220-260°C, with 240°C being a popular starting point. However, even within this range there can be some variance depending on factors like filament quality, print speed, and part design. Here are some more specific nozzle temperature recommendations from leading sources:
- Prusa suggests starting at 240°C for their PETG filament, adjusting between 230-250°C. Their presets use 245°C.
- Ultimaker recommends 240-260°C for PETG. Their Cura profiles for PETG default to 240°C.
- MatterHackers advises starting at 230°C and adjusting between 220-250°C. 240°C is a typical midpoint.
- 3D Solutech PETG technical data shows a range of 230-250°C, with 240°C as optimal.
- eSUN PETG filament specifies 230-250°C, starting around 240°C.
- Hatchbox PETG prints best between 232-238°C per their docs.
- OVERTURE PETG filament prints between 220-260°C, 240°C is recommended.
The consensus across most brands is that 240°C is the ideal starting nozzle temperature for PETG. From there, small adjustments of ±5-10°C can be made to dial in performance for a given filament, print speed, and printer setup. Cooling also impacts the optimal nozzle temp – more cooling means PETG needs a hotter nozzle to bond layers properly.
For the first layer(s), many advise increasing nozzle temp by 5-10°C to improve initial adhesion. A hotter first layer helps PETG grab the print surface better before cooling kicks in.
Heated Bed Requirements for PETG Printing
While PETG can print without a heated bed in some cases, using a heated bed set to an optimal temperature range significantly improves adhesion and prevents warping. Here are some key heated bed recommendations from top sources:
- Prusa recommends 85-90°C for the PETG first layer, then 80°C for remaining layers.
- Ultimaker suggests 90°C for the first layer, 80°C after. Their Cura PETG profile uses 85°C.
- MatterHackers advises 75-90°C bed temp for PETG. 85°C is a popular starting point.
- 3D Solutech specifies 70-80°C for their PETG filament, with 75°C optimal.
- Hatchbox recommends 45-60°C for PETG bed temperature.
- OVERTURE PETG prints best with a 70-100°C heated bed, starting around 85°C.
The consensus for heated bed temp is 75-90°C for the first layer, then 70-85°C for the rest of the print. A hotter bed up to 90°C for the first layer helps adhesion, while slightly lower temps are sufficient after. Using a sheet like PEI allows a little more leeway with bed temps also.
Heated Chamber Recommendations for PETG
For printing PETG in an enclosed printer, maintaining a stable chamber temperature improves layer bonding and minimizes warping. The optimal chamber temp range for PETG is 45-65°C. Here are some specific recommendations from leading sources:
- Prusa recommends an enclosure temp of 60°C for PETG. Their printer profiles use 60°C.
- Ultimaker suggests 50-60°C chamber temperature for PETG per their documentation.
- MatterHackers finds 55-65°C optimal for PETG in an enclosure.
- 3D Solutech specifies 50-70°C for chamber temperature with PETG.
- eSUN recommends 45-60°C ambient for PETG printing.
The consensus for an enclosed heated chamber is 50-65°C when printing PETG. Higher chamber temps up to 70°C are also usable if needed, but too hot can cause excessive oozing. Monitoring temperatures with chamber thermometers or sensors is recommended.
Cooling Fan Settings for PETG 3D Printing
Cooling fans have a major impact on PETG print quality. PETG generally requires less cooling than materials like PLA. Too much fan speed can cause layer separation and cracking. Here are some expert cooling recommendations:
- Prusa uses minimum fan speeds between 20-40% for PETG printing, depending on the model. More cooling is used for small, detailed prints only.
- Ultimaker recommends 0-50% cooling fan for PETG printing, at the lower end. Their Cura PETG profiles use ~30% max fan speed.
- MatterHackers suggests minimal cooling for PETG, adjusting between 0-50% fan speed. 30% or less is common.
- 3D Solutech specifies 30-50% cooling for PETG printing, on the low end.
The overall consensus is PETG requires less cooling than PLA, with fan speeds of 0-40% typical. Cooling is increased for small detailed features, but otherwise remains low. If layer adhesion is an issue, reducing cooling further usually helps with PETG.
Optimal Temperature Ranges Summary
While specific values vary slightly between filament brands, the general temperature ranges for great PETG printing are:
- Nozzle Temperature: 235-260°C, with 240-250°C as optimal for most PETG filaments. Plus 5-10°C for the first layer.
- Heated Bed: 75-90°C first layer, 70-85°C other layers. A PEI-coated or textured PEI spring steel sheet allows lower bed temps down to 60°C.
- Heated Chamber: 50-70°C, with 50-65°C suitable for most PETG materials.
- Cooling Fan: 0-50% fan speed, on the low end below 40% for optimal layer bonding.
Start in these ranges for the specific PETG filament being used. Then fine tune the temperatures to dial in optimal settings for clean prints, good adhesion, minimal stringing or oozing, and strong overhang performance. Having the right temperatures is key to getting the best results from this versatile and easy-to-use filament.
