Printing PETG: settings, tips and typical problems
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PETG is the robust everyday plastic among filaments. It is tougher and more heat-resistant than PLA, yet it can still be printed without an enclosure. In return it is a little more temperamental: it likes to string and sometimes sticks too well.
Settings at a glance
| Setting | Guide value |
|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 230 to 250 °C |
| Bed temperature | 70 to 85 °C |
| Part cooling | 30 to 60 %, more for overhangs |
| Enclosure | not needed |
| Build plate | textured PEI is ideal, use a release agent on smooth PEI |
The values on the spool take priority. For the exact value, a temperature tower is worthwhile.
What PETG is good for
- Functional parts: brackets, housings, clips that have to withstand something
- Warmer environments: dimensionally stable up to around 70 to 80 °C, considerably more than PLA
- Moisture and mild chemicals: good resistance, for example for parts in the bathroom or workshop
- Transparent parts: clear PETG becomes slightly translucent at high infill and slow speed
For parts that stand permanently in the sun, ASA is more durable.
The two typical PETG problems
Strings between parts
PETG is naturally prone to stringing. The most important countermeasures:
- Dry it: Damp PETG strings considerably more. More on this in Drying and storing filament.
- Lower the temperature: in 5-degree steps, as long as the layers still hold together well.
- Check retraction: with direct drive, usually 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
A few fine hairs are normal with PETG and can be removed in seconds with a heat gun. More on this in the article Stringing.
Adhesion that is too strong
On smooth PEI plates, PETG can stick so strongly that it tears pieces out of the coating when removed. Remedies:
- Apply glue stick thinly. Here it acts as a release layer, not as an adhesive.
- Use a textured plate, where PETG usually comes off easily after cooling.
- Let it cool before you remove the part.
More tips
- Do not squash the first layer too hard. PETG likes a little more distance than PLA. If it is squashed too much, material sticks to the nozzle and spreads as blobs.
- Keep the nozzle clean. PETG likes to stick to the nozzle. A silicone sock on the heater block helps.
- Rather a little slower. For smooth, glossy surfaces, a moderate speed often achieves more than maximum performance.
PETG compared
How PETG compares with PLA, ABS, ASA and TPU is shown in the filament overview.