Four Essential Tips for 3D Printing With the Best Petg Filament

Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified, or PETG, is a robust, temperature-resistant, and extremely impact-resistant material frequently used in a 3D printing technique named FDM.

Here, we'll walk you through using the best PETG filament to print properly and assist you in troubleshooting typical problems. While printing with PETG is undoubtedly easier than with materials like ABS, we'll discuss some unique problems.

Tip #1: Get Retraction Right

The best PETG filament tends to string.

As previously mentioned, PETG has a strong propensity to string and ooze. Additionally, molten plastic strings form ugly webs and wisps on your prints due to the material's resistance to breaking.

By properly configuring your print settings, you can reduce these problems. Try to increase the travel speed, retraction speed, and retraction distance while staying within safe limits.

If all else fails, you can remove any remaining strings with the aid of a heat gun.

Tip #2: Avoid Cracking

Layers can separate when 3D printing with PETG. If you're switching from PLA to PETG, you could discover that the best PETG filament fractures quite quickly. While PETG can suffer from rapid cooling, PLA benefits from prolonged cooling.

Reduce the fan speed if print layers start to separate or fracture. Overhangs and intricate shapes will still be produced with sharp edges since the best PETG filament maintains its shape at significantly higher temperatures than PLA. Extruded plastic will have more time to adhere fully to the rest of the sculpture due to the slower cooling.

Tip #3: Give Support Structures Some Room

The outcomes could be messy if you don't give support adequate room. Some models printed with the best PETG filament might need support structures, just like with any other FDM printing material.

When PETG is adjusted for layer adhesion, it might adhere to itself too well, making supports challenging to remove. Increase the distance between the support structures and your real model ("Support Z Gap" or a similar term) by exploring the more complex options of your slicing software.

Tip #4: Keep It Dry

A dry box can produce superior prints. You could start to notice declining print quality and strength after 3D printing PETG for a long. This is due to PETG's hygroscopicity, which readily absorbs environmental moisture. A spool of filament that would otherwise be OK can be destroyed by this dampness, which degrades the substance itself.

As a result, make sure to store your filament in a dry location, such as an airtight bag or box with desiccant packs. This should keep the filament from absorbing too much moisture and retain it.

You can use an oven heated to about 60 °C to dry off your filament if it is already damp. Keep the spool in the oven for a few hours as the moisture is baked off.