Good hot end and bed temperatures are crucial for optimal prints (Source: han Sommer via All3DP)

In an ideal world, there would be a perfect temperature that you could set ur printer to and then just hit print. In reality, the perfect temperature for A doesn’t exist. Instead, it takes trial and error to achieve this “hallowed” A print temperature.

PLA is quite forgiving when it comes to temperature, and as long as you don’t too far in either direction, prints should be fine. Moreover, PLA is a great y to start experimenting, as it is easier to use than ABS or PETG filament. ’s also important to keep in mind, however, that particular colors and brands PLA may print at different temperatures.

In this article, we’ll go over the ideal range of temperatures for both the t end and the print bed as well as tell-tale signs that the temperatures need be adjusted. Let’s dive in!

PLA PRINT & BED TEMPERATURE

Hot End: Ideal Range

The hot end on the Ender 3 V2 can reach temperatures of up to 250 °C (Source: e 3D Print General via YouTube)

As much as it would be great to have one PLA print temperature, there isn’t e. Instead, there’s a range of temperatures you could print with depending on ur needs. The general range for PLA is around 190 to 220 °C.

If your layers aren’t adhering to one another, heating up your hot end can ually fix it, but be careful: If the extruder is too hot, the PLA filament can come extra soft and flimsy. This can cause your prints to be messy and oopy.

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PLA PRINT & BED TEMPERATURE

Hot End: Bad Signs

A messy top caused by hot filament being dragged by the hot end (Source: han Sommer via All3DP)

An indicator that the hot end is too hot is a printer’s inability to bridge .e. to print material horizontally in order to link two raised parts of a del). This might mean that the plastic is so hot that it doesn’t cool operly. Reducing the hot end temperature can help this.

You may have to raise your hot end’s temperature if your prints aren’t icking to the print bed. An insufficiently heated hot end might also make it rd to do tight corners in your prints.

One of the best ways to achieve an ideal hot end temperature is to periment. By slowly adjusting the temperature, either up or down, you will nd out what works best for the specific filament you’re using.

As we mentioned above, there may be variations in ideal print temperatures ong different brands and colors of filaments. For instance, a spool of black A may print best at about 215 °C, while a spool of blue filament prints better 210 °C. Even small differences between numbers can have an effect on your ints.

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PLA PRINT & BED TEMPERATURE

Heated Bed: Ideal Range

A heated bed helps to prevent warping (Source: Ultimaker)

Heated beds are crucial to 3D printing. Nowadays, the majority of the 3D inters have them, and they always need to be set to a certain temperature. en though the recommended PLA print temperature is 70 °C, this doesn’t always rk. We’ve found, for example, that the best range is between 55 and 70 °C.

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PLA PRINT & BED TEMPERATURE

Heated Bed: Bad Signs

Elephant's foot can be a sign of poor temperature settings (Source: tterHackers)

The most obvious indication that your bed temperature is too cold is if your ints aren’t adhering to the bed. If they’re not sticking well, you may want to crease the temperature up a little. A warmer bed helps to soften the plastic, lowing it to stick.

Just be careful not to heat up your bed too much, otherwise your prints might d up with “elephant’s foot” (as seen in the photo). Elephant’s foot occurs en the bed of the printer is too hot, which melts the first couple layers of e print, but the weight of the print smooshes them down.

Elephant’s foot happens especially when the print is very heavy since there more force pressing down on the print. This ugly side effect is easily medied by reducing the bed temperature. Just be careful that you don’t end up king the bed too cold.

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PLA PRINT & BED TEMPERATURE

External Factors

This enclosure allows for visibility on as many sides as you choose (Source: kolas Zuza via PrusaPrinters)

External factors can also affect your PLA print temperature. If you have a ol breeze coming in from a window, for example, you might want to turn the hot d and print bed temperatures up a couple of degrees. Air conditioning vents ght also throw off the printing temperature.

One of the best things for your prints is to build an enclosure for your inter. With respect to temperature, enclosures do two things: They keep tside temperatures from affecting your prints, and they keep heat inside. A eap and easy option is the Ikea Lack 3D printer enclosure, which is rticularly well-known among DIY makers.

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PLA PRINT & BED TEMPERATURE

Finding the Perfect Settings

On a temperature tower, each repeat is printed 5 °C hotter than the last ource: sleebus_jones via Reddit)

We said it once, and we’ll say it again: Trial and error is the best way to gure out the temperature for both the bed and the hot end.

If you find that your prints are sloppy, turn the hot end temperature down a ttle bit. If your prints are failing or aren’t sticking to the print bed, u’ll probably need to increase the bed temperature. Be on the lookout for ephant’s foot, however, as it can be a key indication that your bed is too hot.

As long as you stay within the given ranges, experimenting is the best way to achieve the right print temperature for your specific PLA brand and color. You ght find it helpful to print a temperature tower (pictured above) in the filament you’re using. This model, designed by gaaZolee on Thingiverse, is particularly popular, but plenty of other models can be found online.

The Perfect PLA Temperatures