Filament Temperature Guide

  • PLA

    Easy
    Nozzle
    190–220 °C
    Bed
    50–65 °C
    Cooling fan
    100%
    Enclosure
    Not needed
    Drying
    45–50 °C, 4–6 h

    The easiest material. Softens at ~55 °C, so don't leave prints in a hot car.

  • PLA+ / Tough PLA

    Easy
    Nozzle
    205–230 °C
    Bed
    55–65 °C
    Cooling fan
    100%
    Enclosure
    Not needed
    Drying
    45–50 °C, 4–6 h

    A bit tougher than PLA and a bit hotter to print.

  • Silk PLA

    Easy
    Nozzle
    200–230 °C
    Bed
    55–65 °C
    Cooling fan
    80–100%
    Enclosure
    Not needed
    Drying
    45–50 °C, 4–6 h

    Shiny look. Print slower (40–60 mm/s) for the best shine; layers are weaker than normal PLA.

  • PETG

    Medium
    Nozzle
    230–250 °C
    Bed
    70–85 °C
    Cooling fan
    30–60%
    Enclosure
    Not needed
    Drying
    60–65 °C, 4–6 h

    Strong and food-contact friendly (check the brand). Strings easily: tune retraction. Sticks too well to smooth PEI; use glue stick as a release layer.

  • ABS

    Hard
    Nozzle
    230–260 °C
    Bed
    90–110 °C
    Cooling fan
    0–20%
    Enclosure
    Needed
    Drying
    65–80 °C, 2–4 h

    Heat resistant, can be smoothed with acetone. Warps without an enclosure. Emits fumes: ventilate the room.

  • ASA

    Hard
    Nozzle
    240–260 °C
    Bed
    90–110 °C
    Cooling fan
    0–30%
    Enclosure
    Needed
    Drying
    65–80 °C, 4 h

    Like ABS but UV resistant: great for outdoor parts.

  • TPU (95A)

    Medium
    Nozzle
    210–235 °C
    Bed
    30–60 °C
    Cooling fan
    50–100%
    Enclosure
    Not needed
    Drying
    50–55 °C, 4–6 h

    Flexible. Print slowly (15–30 mm/s), turn retraction down, a direct-drive extruder helps a lot.

  • Nylon (PA)

    Hard
    Nozzle
    240–270 °C
    Bed
    70–90 °C
    Cooling fan
    0–30%
    Enclosure
    Needed
    Drying
    70–80 °C, 8–12 h

    Very strong and slippery, great for gears. Soaks up water from the air in hours: print straight from a dryer.

  • PC (polycarbonate)

    Hard
    Nozzle
    260–300 °C
    Bed
    100–120 °C
    Cooling fan
    0–20%
    Enclosure
    Needed
    Drying
    70–90 °C, 6 h

    Very tough and heat resistant. Needs an all-metal hotend and a warm enclosure.

  • CF-PLA / CF-PETG / PA-CF

    Medium
    Nozzle
    Base material +5–10 °C
    Bed
    As the base material
    Cooling fan
    As the base material
    Enclosure
    Recommended
    Drying
    As the base material

    Carbon fiber filled: stiff with a matte finish. Wears out brass nozzles fast: use hardened steel, 0.4 mm or bigger.

  • PVA (support)

    Medium
    Nozzle
    190–220 °C
    Bed
    45–60 °C
    Cooling fan
    50–100%
    Enclosure
    Not needed
    Drying
    45–55 °C, 6–8 h

    Dissolves in water: used as support for PLA. Store sealed, it absorbs moisture very fast.

  • HIPS

    Medium
    Nozzle
    230–250 °C
    Bed
    90–110 °C
    Cooling fan
    0–20%
    Enclosure
    Recommended
    Drying
    60–70 °C, 4 h

    Dissolves in limonene: used as support for ABS.

Typical ranges. Start in the middle and check the label on your spool: brands differ by 5–15 °C.

Nozzle, bed, fan and drying settings for every plastic.

How to use
  1. 1Find your material.
  2. 2Start in the middle of the ranges.
  3. 3Adjust by 5 °C steps with a temperature tower.
FAQ
Why do brands give different temperatures?
Additives, colors and hotends differ. Always start with the numbers on your spool.