How to Dial In Your Print Temperature (Temperature Tower Guide)
The single most effective thing you can do to improve print quality is find the right temperature for your filament. Here's exactly how to do it.
The temperature settings on this site are excellent starting points — but every filament roll, every brand, and even every color can behave slightly differently. Dialing in your temperature takes 30 minutes and dramatically improves print quality.
The tool you need: a temperature tower.
What Is a Temperature Tower?
A temperature tower is a tall test print split into segments. Each segment is printed at a different temperature — typically dropping 5°C per segment from top to bottom. At the end, you hold it up and immediately see which section looks best.
They test for:
- Stringing — fine hairs between features
- Layer adhesion — how well layers bond together
- Overhangs — how cleanly angled surfaces print
- Bridging — how well plastic spans a gap without sagging
- Surface finish — overall smoothness
Step 1: Download a Temperature Tower
You don't need to design one. Community-created temperature towers are widely available for free on model-sharing sites. Search for a temperature tower that covers your material's range. Most go from 180°C to 230°C for PLA, or 210°C to 260°C for PETG/ABS.
Step 2: Set Up the Temperature Change
In your slicer (Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, Orca Slicer, Cura), you'll add a "filament change" or "temperature change" command at the layer where each new segment begins. Most slicers have a "Custom G-code" field or a "Layer Range" tool specifically for this.
Typical setup for PLA:
- Segment 1 (top): 220°C
- Segment 2: 215°C
- Segment 3: 210°C
- Segment 4: 205°C
- Segment 5 (bottom): 200°C
Step 3: Print and Evaluate
Once printed, examine each segment:
What to look for:
Stringing: Hold it up to the light. Fewer strings = better. Usually decreases as temperature goes down.
Layer adhesion: Try to snap the segment. If layers separate easily, the temp was too low. Most filaments need at least 200°C for PLA to bond well.
Overhangs: Look at any angled surfaces. They should be smooth at the right temperature. Too hot = droopy; too cold = rough.
Bridging: Horizontal spans should be tight and not saggy. Good bridging usually happens at slightly lower temps with adequate cooling.
Surface quality: Feel the sides. The right temp produces a smooth, consistent surface without blobs or gaps.
Step 4: Pick Your Temperature
Look for the highest temperature that gives you acceptable stringing. Layer adhesion is almost always better at higher temps, so you want to print as hot as possible while keeping stringing under control.
Example result: If segments at 220°C and 215°C have noticeable stringing but 210°C looks clean — use 210°C as your baseline.
Bed Temperature
The same principle applies to bed temperature — though it's less critical to fine-tune unless you're fighting warping or adhesion problems.
Signs your bed is too cold:
- Corners lifting off the bed (warping)
- First layer not sticking, prints detaching mid-print
Signs your bed is too hot:
- Print is difficult to remove after cooling
- First layer is over-squished or "elephants footing" (base flares outward)
Other Variables That Affect Temperature
Humidity: Wet filament prints at higher temperatures and produces more bubbles and stringing. Store filament in sealed bags or a drybox with desiccant.
Print speed: Faster speeds require slightly higher temperatures because the filament has less time in the heat zone. If you increase speed, bump temp by 5°C.
Layer height: Thicker layers need slightly more heat to bond. Thinner layers can get away with lower temps.
Color: Dark and metallic pigments often require different temperatures than plain colors of the same filament brand.
Quick Reference: Starting Points
These are the temperatures you'll find in settings profiles on this site. Use them as your starting point, then tune with a temperature tower:
| Material | Nozzle Start | Bed Start |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | 210°C | 55°C |
| PLA+ | 215°C | 60°C |
| PETG | 240°C | 80°C |
| ABS | 250°C | 100°C |
| ASA | 255°C | 100°C |
| TPU | 230°C | 45°C |
Find your specific filament's profile in our Filaments database for a more precise starting point.