<p>Default settings for first layer height in Slic3r Prusa Edition print profiles regardless layer height is 0.2 mm.</p>

<p>If you need to improve bed adhesion then try tips from this video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShFaJ027pFs" rel="nofollow noreferrer">3D Prints not sticking anymore? Watch this! 3DP101</a> by Maker's Muse. It's about using glue stick and spreading it using paper towel and isopropyl alcohol. </p>

<p>There are other possibilities how to improve bed adhesion, e.g. <a href="https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/3d-printer-parts/146-replacement-pei-sheet-for-mk2s-ultem.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ultem sheet</a> or other printing surface like <a href="https://www.buildtak.eu/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">BuildTak</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-15T09:19:52.030Z
2018-08-18T11:47:44.603Z
2018-08-18T11:47:44.603Z
amra
<p>The first layer height can be the same as the whole printing model however you can set different sizes and speeds; it is recommended that layer height should be 75&nbsp;% or less than nozzle diameter, this means that for a nozzle of 0.4&nbsp;mm the max height is 0.3&nbsp;mm <em>(if you are a master you can use higher dimensions)</em></p>

<p>The first layer with a height of 0.3&nbsp;mm with a speed of 70&nbsp;mm/s will have less adhesion than printing at 50&nbsp;mm/s. Also the same height and speed of 70&nbsp;mm/s at 210&nbsp;°C will have more adhesion than at 195&nbsp;°C. So printing at 195&nbsp;°C with speed of 50&nbsp;mm/s could have the same adhesion than 70&nbsp;mm/s at 210&nbsp;°C. This depends on the quality of your PLA</p>

<p>On my prints I have set the prints at 195&nbsp;°C and 55&nbsp;mm/s with a height of 0.20&nbsp;mm, then the whole print uses the same temperature at 85&nbsp;mm/s with 0.25&nbsp;mm of layer height. With other PLA quality I have to set 210&nbsp;°C first layer at 50&nbsp;mm/s, and other layers at 200&nbsp;°C with 70&nbsp;mm/s. <strong><em>So adjustments are based temperature and speed once you have determined the smoothness of your prints.</em></strong></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-19T09:33:09.900Z
Once you've tuned your 0.20mm first layer, would you stick to it if you went down in thickness for a more detailed model? I'm actually looking at the opposite, if I increase the layer height for the main part of the model for speed - and in that case it seems to make no sense in changing the first layer too.
Sean Houlihane
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-19T20:48:30.310Z
@SeanHoulihane as mentioned, the layer can be set to specific height but your temperature and speed need to adjusted to get a better adhesion, I used to use Cura and I had the problem with first layer height due changes on layer height extrution; for example when I set for printing 0.35 the first layer height was changed from 0.2 to 0.28, then I set 0.4 then the first layer changed to 0.32, and so on. I changed to simplify3D then My first layer allways is the same at 0.2mm even if I change the layer height of whole printing. Slic3r has this option to set mm or % of layer printing
Fernando Baltazar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-19T07:55:32.800Z
2020-01-29T05:35:17.827Z
2020-01-29T05:35:17.827Z
Fernando Baltazar
<p>I made more negative experience for 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.2 mm layer but 0.28 mm initial layer. Change it back to 0.2 mm solves all adhesion problems for me. (Tested on Anet A8 and Ultimaker3)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-20T05:14:17.363Z
2018-08-20T05:14:17.363Z
Horitsu
<p>Layer height in my cura settings means that head of extruder will be going up at 0.3mmm, and how i know that? Because i measure few different settings with height of bed.
When I set bed to -0.2mm, ike everybody is proposing on internet, and i started printing first layer, I did stop it and measure with precise caliper thickness, it was 4.2mm, (human precision with leveling bed :P ) that was for me  to much, because extruded material almost was not sticking to the bed,, and walls was not connected each other.
I did test also with home position of nozzle and setting bed to touch nozzle, to 0 height. ( YEAH) And again I measure thickness of first layer. It was precise 0.3mm. Exactly as I want.
That means that or I have better software witch can take nozzle up with initial layer in cura settings?, or magical printer, but my printer is cheap and is buy'ed almost by everybody. 
 That means that peoples who are teaching others how to set bed in a printer are totally wrong. Maybe no one measure thickens of first layer? 
 Even seller from who I buy printer propose me use paper with thickens of 0.25mm to set level of the bed.</p>

<p>Previously I have problems with first layer, because that was too high from bed, now when I set 0 position of nozzle exactly with bed, I don't have problems with thickens of layer, and printed element looks allot better from bottom.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-29T05:43:00.573Z
Your answer is difficult to read. I don't think this directly answers the question. It appears to be describing levelling and nozzle to bed distance, not initial layer height. As such this answer appears to be off topic, if you can please improve the answer so it may receive some votes.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-01-28T22:50:16.663Z
2020-01-28T22:50:16.663Z
Krzysztof Rogoza
<p>Up till now, I've tended to scale my first layer according to the print quality, so a 0.12&nbsp;mm first layer for a 0.08&nbsp;mm print, and 0.28&nbsp;mm for a 0.2&nbsp;mm print.</p>

<p>After changing to a PLA which isn't sticking well, I'm wondering if the first layer is best determined by the printer/tolerance/material, rather than the overall print quality settings. Am I going to get more predictable results if I stick to a 0.12&nbsp;mm first layer regardless? This is with a 0.4&nbsp;mm nozzle on an Anet-A8.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-14T08:15:34.437Z
I made more negative experience for 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.2 mm layer but 0.28 mm initial layer. Change it back to 0.2 mm solves all adhesion problems for me. (Tested on Anet A8 and Ultimaker3)
Horitsu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-14T08:59:45.500Z
@Horitsu That could be an answer...
Sean Houlihane
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-14T10:19:07.943Z
@SeanHoulinhane If this is the solution to your problems and you want to, then I could post this as answer. But till then it is just a litte tip ;)
Horitsu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-14T16:40:24.613Z
I always print my entire model with the same layer thickness throughout, regardless of material.
Davo
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-18T11:50:58.453Z
@Horitsu - whilst your comment is a little short as it stands, I would post it as an answer as while it may not directly, or exactly, help Sean, it may help someone else. Maybe expand upon it if you can.
Greenonline
<print-quality><build-plate>
Should I vary the first layer height
Sean Houlihane
# Should I vary the first layer height

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-08-13)

Up till now, I've tended to scale my first layer according to the print quality, so a 0.12 mm first layer for a 0.08 mm print, and 0.28 mm for a 0.2 mm print.

After changing to a PLA which isn't sticking well, I'm wondering if the first layer is best determined by the printer/tolerance/material, rather than the overall print quality settings. Am I going to get more predictable results if I stick to a 0.12 mm first layer regardless? This is with a 0.4 mm nozzle on an Anet-A8.

**Tags:** print-quality, build-plate
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I made more negative experience for 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.2 mm layer but 0.28 mm initial layer. Change it back to 0.2 mm solves all adhesion problems for me. (Tested on Anet A8 and Ultimaker3)  
> **username_0**: @Horitsu That could be an answer...  
> **username_1**: @SeanHoulinhane If this is the solution to your problems and you want to, then I could post this as answer. But till then it is just a litte tip ;)  
> **username_2**: I always print my entire model with the same layer thickness throughout, regardless of material.  
> **username_3**: @Horitsu - whilst your comment is a little short as it stands, I would post it as an answer as while it may not directly, or exactly, help Sean, it may help someone else. Maybe expand upon it if you can.  

---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2018-08-15. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

Default settings for first layer height in Slic3r Prusa Edition print profiles regardless layer height is 0.2 mm.

If you need to improve bed adhesion then try tips from this video [3D Prints not sticking anymore? Watch this! 3DP101](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShFaJ027pFs) by Maker's Muse. It's about using glue stick and spreading it using paper towel and isopropyl alcohol.

There are other possibilities how to improve bed adhesion, e.g. [Ultem sheet](https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/3d-printer-parts/146-replacement-pei-sheet-for-mk2s-ultem.html) or other printing surface like [BuildTak](https://www.buildtak.eu/).


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2018-08-19. Score: 2

The first layer height can be the same as the whole printing model however you can set different sizes and speeds; it is recommended that layer height should be 75 % or less than nozzle diameter, this means that for a nozzle of 0.4 mm the max height is 0.3 mm *(if you are a master you can use higher dimensions)*

The first layer with a height of 0.3 mm with a speed of 70 mm/s will have less adhesion than printing at 50 mm/s. Also the same height and speed of 70 mm/s at 210 °C will have more adhesion than at 195 °C. So printing at 195 °C with speed of 50 mm/s could have the same adhesion than 70 mm/s at 210 °C. This depends on the quality of your PLA

On my prints I have set the prints at 195 °C and 55 mm/s with a height of 0.20 mm, then the whole print uses the same temperature at 85 mm/s with 0.25 mm of layer height. With other PLA quality I have to set 210 °C first layer at 50 mm/s, and other layers at 200 °C with 70 mm/s. ***So adjustments are based temperature and speed once you have determined the smoothness of your prints.***

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Once you've tuned your 0.20mm first layer, would you stick to it if you went down in thickness for a more detailed model? I'm actually looking at the opposite, if I increase the layer height for the main part of the model for speed - and in that case it seems to make no sense in changing the first layer too.  
> **username_5**: @SeanHoulihane as mentioned, the layer can be set to specific height but your temperature and speed need to adjusted to get a better adhesion, I used to use Cura and I had the problem with first layer height due changes on layer height extrution; for example when I set for printing 0.35 the first layer height was changed from 0.2 to 0.28, then I set 0.4 then the first layer changed to 0.32, and so on. I changed to simplify3D then My first layer allways is the same at 0.2mm even if I change the layer height of whole printing. Slic3r has this option to set mm or % of layer printing  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-08-20. Score: 1

I made more negative experience for 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.2 mm layer but 0.28 mm initial layer. Change it back to 0.2 mm solves all adhesion problems for me. (Tested on Anet A8 and Ultimaker3)


---

### Answer by username_6 on 2020-01-28. Score: 0

Layer height in my cura settings means that head of extruder will be going up at 0.3mmm, and how i know that? Because i measure few different settings with height of bed.
When I set bed to -0.2mm, ike everybody is proposing on internet, and i started printing first layer, I did stop it and measure with precise caliper thickness, it was 4.2mm, (human precision with leveling bed :P ) that was for me to much, because extruded material almost was not sticking to the bed,, and walls was not connected each other.
I did test also with home position of nozzle and setting bed to touch nozzle, to 0 height. ( YEAH) And again I measure thickness of first layer. It was precise 0.3mm. Exactly as I want.
That means that or I have better software witch can take nozzle up with initial layer in cura settings?, or magical printer, but my printer is cheap and is buy'ed almost by everybody.
That means that peoples who are teaching others how to set bed in a printer are totally wrong. Maybe no one measure thickens of first layer?
Even seller from who I buy printer propose me use paper with thickens of 0.25mm to set level of the bed.

Previously I have problems with first layer, because that was too high from bed, now when I set 0 position of nozzle exactly with bed, I don't have problems with thickens of layer, and printed element looks allot better from bottom.

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: Your answer is difficult to read. I don't think this directly answers the question. It appears to be describing levelling and nozzle to bed distance, not initial layer height. As such this answer appears to be off topic, if you can please improve the answer so it may receive some votes.  

---

