What bed temperature should I use?
Short answer
Bed temperature is how hot the build plate should be. A warm bed helps the first layer stick and stops the part shrinking and lifting at the corners as it cools. Each material has a range that works best.
Typical bed temperature by material
The middle value across the filaments we list for each material. Always check the range for your own filament.
| Material | Bed temperature |
|---|---|
| PLA Polylactic acid | 50–70 °C |
| PETG Polyethylene terephthalate glycol | 70–90 °C |
| TPU Thermoplastic polyurethane | 30–60 °C |
| ABS Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | 90–110 °C |
| ASA Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate | 90–110 °C |
| PA6 Nylon 6 (polyamide 6) | 80–100 °C |
| PA12 Nylon 12 (polyamide 12) | 80–100 °C |
| PC Polycarbonate | 100–120 °C |
| PP Polypropylene | 80–100 °C |
| PCTG Polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate glycol | 70–90 °C |
| PEI Polyetherimide | 120–160 °C |
| PET Polyethylene terephthalate | 70–90 °C |
| HIPS High-impact polystyrene | 90–110 °C |
| TPE Thermoplastic elastomer | 30–60 °C |
Guide
Getting good bed adhesion
- Clean the plate with soap and water or isopropyl alcohol; finger grease is the most common cause of poor adhesion.
- Check the first layer height: it should be lightly squashed onto the plate.
- Match the plate to the material: PETG can bond too well to smooth PEI, so a textured plate or a layer of glue stick helps it release.
Signs the temperature is wrong
- Too cold: the first layer doesn't stick, or corners lift (warping).
- Too hot: the bottom of the part bulges outwards (elephant's foot), or PLA goes soft and droops near the plate.
Bed temperature questions
What bed temperature for PLA?
Most PLA prints well on a bed at around 50–70 °C.
What bed temperature for PETG?
Most PETG prints at around 70–90 °C on the bed.
Can I print without a heated bed?
PLA often prints fine on an unheated bed with a suitable surface. Most other materials need a heated bed to stop warping.