PETG Print Settings: Complete Guide for Any Printer
PETG is trickier than PLA but stronger and more heat-resistant. Get the exact temperature, retraction, cooling, and bed settings to dial in PETG on your printer without stringing or adhesion issues.
PETG sits between PLA (easy, brittle) and ABS (hard, heat-resistant) in almost every dimension. It's stronger and more flexible than PLA, prints without an enclosure (unlike ABS), and is moderately heat-resistant. The trade-off: it strings more than any other common material and sticks too well to some bed surfaces.
Temperature Settings
Nozzle Temperature
Range: 230–250°C Start with: 235–240°C
PETG needs higher temperatures than PLA to flow properly. If you print it too cold you'll get poor layer adhesion and a rough surface. Too hot causes excessive stringing and oozing.
Tip: Unlike PLA, PETG doesn't benefit much from going hotter. 240°C is the sweet spot for most brands. Only go to 250°C if you're having layer adhesion issues with a specific brand.
Bed Temperature
Range: 70–85°C Start with: 75–80°C
PETG needs a warm bed to stick. Most users run 75–80°C for the full print (not just first layer).
Retraction Settings
PETG is stringy. Dialing in retraction is critical.
| Printer Type | Retraction Distance | Retraction Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Drive (Bambu, Prusa MK4, Ender with DDX) | 0.5–1.5mm | 25–40mm/s |
| Bowden (stock Ender 3, Kobra 2) | 5–7mm | 40–60mm/s |
Too much retraction causes clogs with PETG — it's a tackier material and can grind if retracted too aggressively. Start at the low end and work up.
Cooling Fan
PETG actually doesn't want much cooling. High fan speeds cause layer delamination.
Fan speed: 20–50% (never 100%) First layer: 0% fan Layer 2+: Ramp up to 30–40%
Some users print PETG with 0% fan the entire print and get excellent results with slightly shinier surfaces.
Print Speed
Slower than PLA. PETG needs time to bond properly.
| Setting | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Perimeter / Wall speed | 40–50mm/s |
| Infill speed | 50–70mm/s |
| First layer speed | 20–25mm/s |
| Travel speed | 150–200mm/s (fast travel helps reduce stringing) |
Bed Surface and Adhesion
This is where people get into trouble with PETG.
Textured PEI: Best choice. PETG sticks well, releases cleanly when cool. Use a cold removal (wait until bed is below 30°C).
Smooth PEI: PETG can bond permanently and rip chunks off the surface. Use a thin layer of glue stick, hairspray, or Magigoo as a release agent.
Glass: Works with a glue stick. Clean with IPA between prints.
BuildTak/Garolite: Works well for PETG.
Common PETG Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Heavy stringing | Lower temp 5°C, increase retraction, increase travel speed |
| Poor layer adhesion | Increase temp, reduce fan speed |
| Print won't release from bed | Apply release agent (glue stick) on smooth surfaces |
| Blobs on surface | Enable "wipe while retracting," reduce temp |
| Under-extrusion | Increase temp, reduce print speed |
| Rough surface finish | Reduce temp slightly, ensure filament is dry |
Is Your PETG Wet?
PETG absorbs moisture faster than PLA. Wet PETG:
- Pops and hisses while printing
- Produces bubbly, rough surfaces
- Strings excessively even with good settings
- Has poor layer adhesion
Dry PETG: 4–6 hours at 65°C in a filament dryer or oven (oven door cracked open to let moisture escape).
Full Settings Cheat Sheet
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Nozzle temp | 235–245°C |
| Bed temp | 75–80°C |
| Fan speed | 20–40% |
| Print speed | 40–50mm/s |
| First layer speed | 20mm/s |
| Retraction (direct) | 1–1.5mm @ 30mm/s |
| Retraction (Bowden) | 5–6mm @ 45mm/s |
| Layer height | 0.2mm |