<p>Blue masking tape is a common bed surface, especially for unheated beds. It is effectively an adhesive applied to a paper, although I suspect the paper is treated in some manner to serve as a barrier to paint, as the blue tape is sold as paint masking tape.</p>

<p>A sheet of ordinary paper isn't likely to catch fire, as the bed temperature will not reach combustion temperature for paper (more than 230&nbsp;°C), but you still have to have the means of providing adhesion of the paper to the bed.</p>

<p>A thick enough weight of paper may provide sufficient rigidity to provide for a stable print surface, if the perimeter is well secured and uniformly (smoothly) attached.</p>

<p>You'll have to experiment with various types of paper surfaces as well, as some may be treated (calendared) during manufacturing, which could affect the results.</p>

<p>Blue tape is your best bet if you want disposable. Also if you use care in removal, it is not a single use bed covering.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-22T22:35:09.557Z
Paper could be clamped down at the sides if you want to avoid glue. Not just at the corners, it would need to be clamped down on all sides to make sure it doesn't crinkle
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-18T23:51:17.967Z
2020-05-19T06:23:09.640Z
2020-05-19T06:23:09.640Z
fred_dot_u
<p>I have a Creality Ender 3 that needs a build surface (both the build-tak sticker and the removable stiff backer). My dad has been pestering me to try using paper as a disposable surface. I am hesitant to do so for concerns regarding fires and degrading the bottom of the print. Has anyone here tried this and what were the results?</p>

<material><safety><build-surface>
Paper as build surface - how will that work?
AwesomeCronk
# Paper as build surface - how will that work?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-18)

I have a Creality Ender 3 that needs a build surface (both the build-tak sticker and the removable stiff backer). My dad has been pestering me to try using paper as a disposable surface. I am hesitant to do so for concerns regarding fires and degrading the bottom of the print. Has anyone here tried this and what were the results?

**Tags:** material, safety, build-surface

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-05-18. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Blue masking tape is a common bed surface, especially for unheated beds. It is effectively an adhesive applied to a paper, although I suspect the paper is treated in some manner to serve as a barrier to paint, as the blue tape is sold as paint masking tape.

A sheet of ordinary paper isn't likely to catch fire, as the bed temperature will not reach combustion temperature for paper (more than 230 °C), but you still have to have the means of providing adhesion of the paper to the bed.

A thick enough weight of paper may provide sufficient rigidity to provide for a stable print surface, if the perimeter is well secured and uniformly (smoothly) attached.

You'll have to experiment with various types of paper surfaces as well, as some may be treated (calendared) during manufacturing, which could affect the results.

Blue tape is your best bet if you want disposable. Also if you use care in removal, it is not a single use bed covering.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Paper could be clamped down at the sides if you want to avoid glue. Not just at the corners, it would need to be clamped down on all sides to make sure it doesn't crinkle  

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