Glossary · Part

3D printing

Print bed

The plate on which the object is printed. It is usually heated so that the print sticks to it.

Explained in more detail

Today usually a heated aluminium bed with a magnetic sheet and a removable spring steel plate. Common surfaces: smooth PEI (glossy underside, very good adhesion), textured PEI (textured underside, parts release easily after cooling), glass and special coatings. Typical temperatures: PLA 50 to 60 °C, PETG 70 to 85 °C, ABS and ASA 90 to 110 °C. Grease from fingers is the most common cause of poor adhesion.

Where does the term come from?

A calque from English print bed. In English, build plate and, for the heated version, heated bed are also common.

In practice

• Touch the print surface only at the edge. In between, isopropyl alcohol of at least 90% is enough, and warm water with washing-up liquid cleans more thoroughly.
• Remove parts only after cooling, and flex spring steel plates only slightly, never bend them sharply.
• PETG adheres so strongly to smooth PEI and glass that it can tear out pieces. Use glue stick there as a release layer.
• If adhesion declines despite thorough cleaning or the coating shows bare patches, the plate is due for replacement as a wear part.
• For a replacement plate, the plate size counts, for example 235 × 235 mm or 256 × 256 mm, not the stated print area.

Not to be confused

Print bed and build plate are often used interchangeably. On current printers the plate is the removable spring steel sheet and the bed is the heated base underneath.

Frequently asked questions

What bed temperature for PLA?

50 to 60 °C is usual, and 55 °C is a good starting value. If the bed is too hot, elephant's foot can form with PLA.

Why does my print not stick to the print bed?

Most often it is grease on the plate, followed by a wrong Z offset and a bed temperature that is too low. Wash the plate with washing-up liquid, check the first layer and adjust the temperature to the material.