Warping is one of the most common and frustrating issues in 3D printing.
It happens when the base of your print lifts off the bed, leading to crooked prints, dimensional inaccuracy, or even complete print failure.
The good news?
Warping is preventable—with the right techniques and a little preparation.
This step-by-step guide will show you easy, practical ways to fix and prevent warping in your 3D prints, ensuring stronger, cleaner, and more professional results.
What Causes Warping in 3D Printing?
Warping happens because of thermal contraction:
- As filament cools after extrusion, it shrinks.
- If cooling happens unevenly, edges of the print curl upward.
- The larger the part (or the more temperature-sensitive the material), the more noticeable the warping.
High-shrink materials like ABS, Nylon, and PC are especially prone to warping compared to PLA or PETG.
Step-by-Step: How to Fix and Prevent Warping
Step 1: Ensure Proper Bed Adhesion
Without a strong first layer, parts will almost always warp.
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Level the bed correctly | Adjust the nozzle gap carefully; slightly squish the first layer |
| Use adhesion aids | Glue stick, PEI sheets, Magigoo, hairspray, or textured build plates |
| Print with a brim or raft | Brims (5–10 lines) increase surface area contact with the bed |
| Slow first layer speed | 20–30 mm/s ensures precise placement and better adhesion |
| Increase first layer extrusion | 105–120% flow rate helps the first layer grip the surface |
📌 Tip: A good first layer is the foundation of a successful print.
Step 2: Use a Heated Bed Properly
Keep the bottom layers warm to reduce thermal stress.
| Material | Recommended Bed Temp |
|---|---|
| PLA | 50–60°C |
| PETG | 70–90°C |
| ABS | 90–110°C |
| Nylon | 90–110°C |
| PC | 110–120°C |
Important:
Start prints with the bed fully heated and stable.
Step 3: Control the Ambient Environment
Cool air causes uneven cooling = warping.
- Use a printer enclosure to trap heat and block drafts.
- Avoid ceiling fans, air conditioners, or open windows near your printer.
- For ABS and Nylon, a simple cardboard box around the printer can make a big difference.
📌 Tip: Even DIY enclosures significantly improve printing consistency.
Step 4: Tune Cooling Fan Settings
While cooling is critical for sharp prints, too much fan speed causes warping for certain materials.
| Material | Fan Settings |
|---|---|
| PLA | 100% after first layers |
| PETG | 40–60% |
| ABS | Fan OFF |
| Nylon | Fan OFF |
| PC | Fan OFF or very low |
Strategy:
- Turn off cooling for the first 5–10 layers.
- Slowly ramp up cooling (if needed) after the part stabilizes.
Step 5: Use Correct Print Settings
| Setting | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| First Layer Height | 0.2–0.3 mm for better bed contact |
| First Layer Width | 110–120% of normal line width |
| Infill Density | Lower infill reduces internal stresses (20–30% is usually enough) |
| Wall Count | 3–4 walls for strength without adding too much contraction stress |
📌 Stretching the first layer slightly wider helps it “stick” better to the bed.
Step 6: Use Special Adhesive Surfaces for Tough Materials
If you’re printing warp-prone materials (ABS, PC, Nylon), use specialized surfaces:
| Surface | Best For |
|---|---|
| Garolite (G10 Sheet) | Excellent for Nylon |
| PEI Sheets | Great for ABS, PETG, and PLA |
| BuildTak or WhamBam Flex Plates | Works with most materials |
| Glass + Glue Stick | Good general-purpose setup |
Note: Some materials (especially ABS) stick better when printing on a slightly textured, adhesive-coated surface.
Step 7: Preheat the Bed Longer for Large Prints
- Preheat your bed for 5–10 minutes longer than normal before starting large prints.
- A fully heat-soaked build plate reduces sudden temperature fluctuations during the first layers.
Quick Troubleshooting Table
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Corners lifting slightly | Poor first layer adhesion | Level bed, increase first layer flow, use a brim |
| Severe corner curling | Drafts, overcooling | Use an enclosure, reduce fan speed |
| Warping mid-print | Uneven bed temp | Check bed temperature consistency, use insulation |
| Large prints warping | Shrinkage stress | Use thicker brims, lower infill, print slower first layers |
FAQs
Q1: Is warping worse with larger prints?
Yes. The bigger the base area, the more thermal contraction forces can lift edges.
Q2: Can PLA warp?
Yes, but much less than ABS or Nylon. Poor bed adhesion and drafts can still cause minor PLA warping.
Q3: Does printing slower help reduce warping?
For the first few layers, yes. Slower prints allow better bed bonding and controlled cooling.
Q4: Can I fix a warped print mid-print?
Not easily. It’s best to cancel, adjust settings, and restart to save time and filament.
Conclusion
Warping can wreck otherwise perfect prints—but with simple steps like bed leveling, proper heating, draft protection, and smart print settings, you can eliminate warping almost completely.
Once you dial in these techniques, you’ll unlock the full potential of your 3D printer—and achieve stronger, cleaner, and more reliable results every time.