Software: Creality Print (v5.x) / Orca Slicer
This guide provides a step-by-step process to perfectly tune settings for any specific filament. Please follow these steps in the order presented to ensure the best results.
Goal: Find the temperature where layers adhere the strongest and the print looks cleanest.
- Print the tower (usually generates from high to low temperature).
- Evaluate visual quality (overhangs, bridges, stringing).
- Strength Test: Attempt to break the tower with your hands at the weakest looking points.
- Selection: Choose the lowest temperature that still offers strong layer bonding (does not snap easily) and maintains a glossy finish (for glossy materials).
- Path: Click "Edit" (pencil icon) next to Filament -> Basic (or Information) tab.
- Parameter:
Printing Temperature(andFirst Layer Temperature).
Goal: Achieve a smooth top surface and dimensionally accurate walls.
Step 1: Coarse Adjustment
Print a flow rate test model ("chips," lines, or similar), each labelled with a flow modifier (e.g., -5, 0, +5)%.
- Inspect each test chip and choose the one with the smoothest top surface—no ridges, burrs, or line gaps.
- Note the modifier from that chip (e.g., +5).
-
Formula:
$$\text{NewFlow} = \text{OldFlow} \times ( 100\% + \text{1pass}\% ) \times ( 100\% + \text{2pass}\% )$$
Example: Flow was 0.98, best chip from pass 1 is +5, best chip from pass 2 is -3 →$$0.98 \times 1.05 \times 0.97 = 0.998$$
Step 2: Fine-Tuning
Print another test model using the new flow rate from step 1.
- Test several small flow rate percentage differences near your new value (e.g., +2, -2%, etc.).
- Inspect the resulting prints for improved surface quality and dimensional accuracy—especially check for fit and appearance in intended prints.
- Select the flow rate percentage difference (modifier) that yields the best results.
- This step is for micro-adjustments: sometimes, small tweaks (+/- 1–2%) make a noticeable improvement for your specific filament and printer.
- Enter the final value in your slicer.
The two-step approach helps you home in on a good starting flow rate with a visual test, then optimize the final quality and fit with fine-tuning calibration.
- Path: Filament Edit -> Extrusion (or Filament) tab.
- Parameter:
Flow Ratio(sometimes calledExtrusion Multiplier).
Goal: Sharp corners and consistent extrusion during speed changes.
- Find the line that is the most uniform across its entire length. Ignore lines that are thin at the ends or bloated in the middle.
- Read the PA value assigned to that line (usually printed next to it or calculated based on height if using a tower).
- For PA Pattern in Orca/Creality: The value is printed directly next to the line.
- Path: Filament Edit -> Advanced (or Filament Overrides) tab.
- Parameter:
Pressure Advance.- Important: Ensure the "Enable Pressure Advance" box is checked.
Goal: Eliminate stringing (oozing).
- Count the segments (notches) from the bottom up to the point where stringing completely disappears.
-
Formula:
$$Result = (SegmentCount \times TestStep) + SafetyMargin$$ Example: Stringing stops at the 6th segment, step is 0.1mm. $0.6mm + 0.1mm (margin) = 0.7mm$. - Verification: For Ender-3 V3 KE (Direct Drive), the result should not exceed 1.0 mm (max 1.2 mm for PETG is acceptable).
- Path: Filament Edit -> Setting Overrides tab (Recommended) OR Extruder tab.
- Parameters:
Retraction Length: Your calculated result.Retraction Speed: Typically 35-45 mm/s (PLA/PETG) or 20-30 mm/s (TPU).
Goal: Determine the physical speed limit of your hotend.
- Find the height (in mm) where the print starts to fail (becomes matte, layers delaminate, or holes appear).
- If the test doesn't have a scale, measure the height with calipers and convert based on the generator settings, or simply read the value if printed on the model.
-
Safety Correction:
$$ValueToEnter = TestResult \times 0.90$$ We deduct 10% to avoid straining the extruder during real prints.
- Path: Filament Edit -> Advanced tab (or the first Basic/Filament tab at the very bottom).
- Parameter:
Max volumetric speed.- This is the most critical "safety fuse" for high-speed printing!
Goal: Fitting for Print-in-Place parts.
If parts with a 0.3mm gap are fused together:
- Path: Print Settings (Process) -> Quality or Precision tab.
- Parameter:
X-Y Hole Compensation(For holes - increase, e.g., 0.1). - Parameter:
X-Y Contour Compensation(For outer contours - decrease, e.g., -0.1).
The values below are starting points. Every filament brand may require slight adjustments.
| Parameter | PLA / Hyper PLA | PET-G | TPU (Flexible) | ASA / ABS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nozzle Temp | 210°C - 230°C | 230°C - 250°C | 210°C - 230°C | 240°C - 260°C |
| Bed Temp | 60°C | 70°C - 80°C | 0°C - 50°C | 100°C - 110°C |
| Fan Cooling | 100% | 30% - 50% | 50% - 100% | 0% - 15% (Off) |
| Retraction Length | 0.5 - 0.8 mm | 0.6 - 1.0 mm | 0.0 - 0.4 mm | 0.4 - 0.8 mm |
| Retraction Speed | 40 - 45 mm/s | 30 - 40 mm/s | 20 - 30 mm/s | 40 mm/s |
| Pressure Advance | ~0.04 (safe: 0.03–0.06) | ~0.06 (safe: 0.05–0.08) | Off or Test (safe: 0.00–0.03) | ~0.04 (safe: 0.03–0.07) |
| Max Vol. Speed | 15 - 24 mm³/s | 10 - 15 mm³/s | 2 - 5 mm³/s | 12 - 18 mm³/s |
| Z-Offset | Standard | Standard | Standard (or +0.05) | Standard |
| Special Notes | Open enclosure | Prone to stringing | Print Slow! | Requires Ventilation |
Safe Pressure Advance range means values for smooth extrusion and avoiding motor knocking/jamming.
Important for TPU: On the Ender-3 V3 KE, print TPU very slowly (Set Max Volumetric Speed to 3-4 mm³/s). Printing too fast or using high retraction will cause the flexible filament to wrap around the extruder gears (clog).
Important for ASA/ABS: These materials shrink when cooling. Turn off the cooling fan, use a wide brim on the build plate, and (if possible) shield the printer from drafts, even with a cardboard box enclosure.