When your 3D print refuses to stick to the bed, it’s more than just annoying—it’s a productivity killer. The first layer is the foundation of every successful print, and if that fails, the rest of your design won’t stand a chance. While bed leveling and temperatures are often blamed, the truth is that your filament plays a central role in adhesion issues. Let’s explore why your 3D printer might not be sticking and how to fix it—filament by filament.
Common Reasons for Poor Bed Adhesion
Before diving into filament-specific causes, it’s essential to rule out the most common universal issues:
- Unleveled or miscalibrated bed: If your bed isn’t flat or your Z-offset isn’t properly tuned, the nozzle may either drag or float too high, leading to bad first layers.
- Incorrect bed temperature: Each filament has an ideal bed temperature range. Too low, and the filament won’t adhere; too high, and it may deform or create blobs.
- Dirty build plate: Oils from your hands, dust, or residue from previous prints can prevent filament from sticking. Always clean with isopropyl alcohol.
- Bad first layer settings: A too-fast or too-thin first layer can ruin your print. Slow down and increase initial layer height slightly for better grip.
Now let’s look at how different filaments behave when it comes to bed adhesion—and how filalab.shop’s high-performance filaments are engineered to tackle these challenges head-on.
PLA: Easy to Use, But Not Foolproof
PLA is often the first choice for beginners, and for good reason—it prints at low temperatures, has minimal warping, and is generally forgiving. However, even PLA can lift off the bed if things aren’t dialed in.
- Ideal bed temp: 55–65°C
- Cooling fan: On, but not at full speed on the first layer
- Surface: Glass, blue tape, or PEI sheets work well
Filalab’s PLA is specially formulated for consistent flow and optimal adhesion to common print surfaces. If you’re seeing curling edges or floating corners, ensure your first layer is slow and your print bed is clean and warmed up.
PETG: Too Sticky or Not Enough?
PETG can be tricky. Sometimes it sticks too well, bonding to your print surface like glue. Other times, especially on smooth surfaces, it doesn’t grip at all.
- Ideal bed temp: 70–80°C
- Cooling fan: Low or off on first layer
- Surface: PEI sheet with glue stick or textured surfaces
If you’re using PETG from filalab.shop, you’ll notice it’s engineered to balance adhesion and release—meaning it sticks when it needs to and lets go cleanly when cooled. Just remember: always apply a thin glue stick layer on PEI or glass to prevent damaging the surface.
ABS: Warping Is the Enemy
ABS is notorious for poor bed adhesion and warping—especially in open-frame printers. While it’s strong and heat-resistant, it demands precise environmental control.
- Ideal bed temp: 90–110°C
- Cooling fan: Off
- Surface: Kapton tape, ABS slurry, or a build plate with strong heat retention
To print ABS successfully, an enclosed printer is nearly essential. Filalab’s ABS filament has reduced shrinkage characteristics, making it more reliable for complex or larger prints.
Nylon & Flexible Filaments: Grip With a Twist
Nylon and TPU filaments are known for their incredible strength and flexibility, but that comes at the cost of tricky adhesion.
- Nylon: Bed temp 60–80°C, minimal cooling, print on Garolite or glue-coated glass
- TPU: Bed temp 50–60°C, print slowly, use blue painter’s tape or textured PEI
Filalab’s specialty-grade nylon blends are designed to improve bed bonding, especially when paired with adhesive aids like glue sticks or Magigoo. TPU users will benefit from slow print speeds and a clean, grippy surface.
Best Surfaces and Adhesion Helpers
The right surface can make or break your print. Consider these options:
- PEI sheets: Excellent for PLA and PETG
- Glass beds: Great for PLA and TPU when clean
- Textured plates: Best for TPU and flexibles
- Glue sticks/Magigoo: Adds adhesion and protects surface from over-sticking
Each filament from filalab.shop is tested on a variety of surfaces, and our packaging always includes ideal print parameters to ensure your first layer sticks from the start.
Is It the Filament’s Fault?
Yes, sometimes the filament is to blame. Inconsistent diameter, moisture content, and low-grade additives can all cause poor adhesion and uneven extrusion.
Filalab’s filaments go through strict quality checks, including tight diameter tolerances, proper drying protocols, and premium-grade polymers. This means you get a filament that flows evenly and adheres reliably across all your prints.
Tips to Improve Your First Layer
- Print slower: Set the first layer speed to 20–30mm/s
- Wider extrusion width: Slightly increase to 110% for better grip
- Add a brim or raft: Useful for high-warp materials like ABS or Nylon
- Check ambient conditions: Drafts or cold rooms can affect adhesion, especially with ABS
Conclusion
Getting your 3D prints to stick is half the battle in FDM printing. By understanding how each filament behaves—and using premium materials from filalab.shop—you can drastically reduce failed prints and improve surface quality. Whether you’re printing a quick PLA prototype or a rugged ABS bracket, trust your filament, trust your bed, and trust the process.