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Glossary · Setting

3D printing

Supports (support structures)

Auxiliary scaffolds that are printed along with the part so that overhanging sections do not hang in mid-air. They are broken off after printing.

Explained in more detail

Overhangs shallower than about 45° from the horizontal need support. Normal supports form a grid under the overhang, while tree supports (tree, organic) branch out and save material. The gap between support and part (typically 0.1 to 0.25 mm) determines how easily it comes off. On multi-material printers, water-soluble PVA or a poorly adhering material can serve as a separating layer.

Where does the term come from?

The term describes the task: a structure that supports. In slicers and forums it is usually just called support.

In practice

  • Rotate the model before slicing so that as few overhangs as possible are flatter than 45 degrees; you often then need no supports at all.
  • With the option "Only on build plate", no supports are created on the model itself and therefore no marks on visible surfaces.
  • A denser contact layer (interface) directly under the overhang gives a smoother underside.
  • Remove supports only after cooling and work away from the part with side cutters or needle-nose pliers, rather than prying into it.
  • If you print the contact layer in PETG under a PLA part (or vice versa), it separates cleanly because the two materials adhere poorly to each other.

Not to be confused

Not to be confused with brim or raft: those improve adhesion to the bed, while supports hold up overhangs. Bridges between two support points often need no support even though they hang freely.

Frequently asked questions

At what angle do you need support structures?

Almost any printer manages overhangs up to about 45 degrees without supports. In the slicer, the threshold is typically 45 to 55 degrees.

Normal supports or tree supports, which is better?

For figures and organic shapes, tree supports are usually better because they need less material and are easier to remove. For large, flat overhangs on technical parts, normal supports are often more reliable.