When 3D printing with PLA filament, dialing in the right bed temperature is crucial for getting good first layer adhesion and avoiding warping. But with so much conflicting advice online, finding the ideal bed temp can be confusing. This comprehensive guide examines the pros and cons of different bed temps for PLA, reviews recommended settings from various sources, and provides actionable tips for dialing in the perfect bed temperature for your specific setup.
What Bed Temperature is Best for PLA? The Short Answer
While PLA can adhere at room temperature, most sources recommend a bed temperature between 50°C and 60°C. Some key benefits of a heated bed in this range:
- Improves first layer adhesion by helping PLA soften slightly
- Reduces warping by keeping part edges pinned to the bed
- Allows a little more flexibility in bed leveling
Higher temps above 60°C provide little added benefit for PLA bed adhesion and can actually make prints worse. Lower temps below 50°C may work with a perfectly leveled bed and primed surface, but less margin for error.
How Hot Can the Bed Go for PLA?
PLA’s glass transition temperature is around 60-65°C. This means it starts to soften and deform as it approaches these temps. Going above 70°C runs the risk of warping parts or causing elephant’s foot as the plastic becomes too soft. Most experts recommend keeping the bed temp under 60°C, with 50-55°C being the sweet spot for PLA.
What Factors Affect Ideal PLA Bed Temperature?
The optimal bed temperature can vary slightly between different setups. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Ambient Temperature – Warmer ambient temps allow lower bed temps. Cooler ambient temps may need slightly higher bed temps.
- Enclosure – An enclosed printer can get away with a lower bed temp vs open frame.
- Bed Surface – Some surfaces like PEI allow lower temps than glass. Primed surfaces also reduce needed temp.
- First Layer Height – Thinner first layers benefit more from higher bed temp improved adhesion.
- Part Geometry – Larger surface contact area adheres better at lower temps than small part footprints.
- Filament Properties – Some PLA blends adhere better than others. Color pigments can also affect thermal properties.
Recommended PLA Bed Temperatures
Here are some recommended bed temperature ranges for PLA from various sources:
- Hatchbox PLA – 50-60°C range, with 55°C being optimal.
- PrusaSlicer – Default is 60°C, but can be lowered to 50°C for PLA.
- Ultimaker – 60°C recommended, but 50-55°C also works.
- Simplify3D – Default PLA profile uses 60°C bed temp.
- MatterHackers – 50-60°C recommended range for PLA. Lower end for enclosure.
- 3D Print Gorilla – 55-60°C range for good PLA bed adhesion.
- Rigid.Ink – 50-60°C, with 55°C being optimal. Lower if enclosure.
So the consensus across most sources is an ideal PLA bed temperature between 50°C and 60°C, with 55°C being a reasonable default starting point.
Bed Leveling and First Layer Height
While bed temperature improves adhesion, proper bed leveling is still crucial for getting PLA to stick. Take the time to manually level and “tram” the bed for consistent first layer squish. Consider bed leveling test prints to fine tune.
Also, use a first layer height between 0.1-0.3mm. Thinner first layers benefit more from higher bed temps for adhesion. Thicker layers can potentially get away with lower temps. Adjust based on results.
Heated Bed Not Sticking? Troubleshoot with Temperature Changes
If you are struggling with bed adhesion on the first layer, adjusting temperature is one of the first things to try:
- Warping corners – Increase bed temp 5-10°C to improve adhesion. Slow the print for better cooling.
- “Not sticking” failures – Try higher bed temp to improve surface bonding. Clean/prep the bed for proper filament wetting.
- Rough first layer surface – Lowering bed temp can improve quality by preventing oozing/rippling.
- Elephant’s foot or deformation – Lower bed temp so plastic doesn’t get too soft and flow excessively.
Make other incremental temperature changes to find the right balance for your specific setup. Just stay under 60°C.
Other Tips for Improving PLA Bed Adhesion
Along with bed temperature, here are some other quick tips for dialing in bed adhesion with PLA:
- Make sure your nozzle is clean before starting a print. Any charred plastic can prevent sticking.
- Clean the print surface thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol to improve filament wetting.
- If printing on bare glass, use a glue stick or hairspray for better adhesion, especially with lower bed temps.
- Try a brim or raft if the part has a very small surface area contacting the bed. This improves hold.
- Close small gaps between the nozzle and bed with better leveling and tramming to get a tight first layer squish.
- Print the first layer slower for better adhesion. 30-40mm/s is a good target speed.
- Make sure your filament is dry. Wet PLA does not extrude as cleanly and can cause bed sticking issues.
Optimizing the combination of bed leveling, surface prep, bed temperature, and slicer settings will help you zero in on the best first layer adhesion for PLA. Adjust the bed higher or lower incrementally within the 50-60°C window based on your specific setup and environment. With some dialing in, you’ll be rewarded with prints that stick perfectly during the first layer and release cleanly when the print is finished.
