Repair Fact #5: Your First Layer Is Moodier Than a Teenager — Let’s Fix That

"The first layer sets the tone. If it’s bad, the rest is just… cosmetic suffering."

What’s a First Layer Problem?

The first layer is your print’s foundation. If it goes wrong, it leads to:

• Peeling or warping

• Uneven lines

• Filament not sticking (or sticking too much)

• Elephant’s foot

• Layer shifts and spaghetti failures

If your printer starts acting like it’s printing air or scraping the bed, you’ve got a first layer issue.

Red Flags to Watch For

Symptom	Likely Cause
No adhesion	Z-offset too high, cold bed
Filament dragging	Z-offset too low, nozzle scraping
Uneven line thickness	Unleveled or warped bed
Corners lifting	Poor adhesion, fast cooling
Gaps in lines	Too fast, not enough extrusion

How to Fix It

1. Level the Bed (Manually or Auto)

Use the paper method or assisted leveling. Always level after moving the printer or changing build plates.

2. Set Z-Offset Precisely

Adjust until the filament lays flat, not squished, not floating. Save with M500 if using Marlin.

3. Heat Smart

Use proper temperatures:

• PLA: Nozzle 200°C, Bed 60°C

• PETG: Nozzle 230°C, Bed 75°C

• ABS: Nozzle 240°C, Bed 100°C

4. Adjust Print Settings

Lower speed and increase flow:

• First layer speed: 20 mm/s

• Flow rate: 105%

• Layer height: 0.2 mm

5. Clean the Build Surface

Use isopropyl alcohol, avoid fingerprints, and reapply adhesive if needed (e.g., glue stick).

First Layer Testing Tip

Use a test model with sharp corners and lines. Observe how it prints:

• Is the line smooth and even?

• Does it lift while cooling?

• Are there gaps?

Troubleshooting Cheatsheet

Fix	Use When
Z-offset tweak	Filament floating or scraping
Bed leveling	Uneven thickness
Clean surface	Poor adhesion
Slow speed	Inconsistent extrusion
Heat properly	Filament not flowing well

       Sample Start G-code

G28   ; Home all axes
G29   ; (if using ABL)
M190 S60       ; Heat bed and wait
M104 S200      ; Heat nozzle
M109 S200      ; Wait for nozzle temp
G92 E0         ; Reset extruder
G1 Z0.2 F1000  ; Move to start Z
G1 X0 Y0 F3000 ; Move to start position
G1 E5 F200     ; Prime nozzle