Bed Adhesion Tricks for PETG and TPU: A Maker’s Guide

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Getting Started with PETG and TPU

If you’re a hobby RC pilot, maker, or DIY tinkerer in the UK, you’ve probably noticed that printing with PETG and TPU can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to bed adhesion. These flexible and durable materials are fantastic for making custom parts, but poor first-layer adhesion can lead to failed prints and wasted time.

Don’t worry! This guide will walk you through some practical and easy-to-follow tricks to improve bed adhesion for PETG and TPU, giving you more reliable prints and better results.

Why Bed Adhesion Matters

Bed adhesion is crucial because the first layer sets the foundation for your entire print. PETG and TPU have different properties compared to PLA or ABS. PETG is a bit stickier and tends to bond strongly, while TPU is flexible and can be prone to warping or lifting if not set correctly.

General Bed Preparation Tips

Before diving into material-specific advice, here are some universal steps to ensure you’re starting on the right foot:

  • Clean the bed: Use isopropyl alcohol or warm soapy water to remove dust, oils, and grease.
  • Level the bed: Make sure your print bed is perfectly level and the nozzle is at the correct height—just close enough to slightly squish the first layer.
  • Use the right build surface: PEI sheets, glass with glue stick, or painter’s tape all work well, depending on the material.

Bed Adhesion Tips for PETG

PETG loves to stick, sometimes too much! Here’s how to get it just right:

  • Print bed temperature: Set your bed between 70°C and 80°C. This helps the PETG bond well without causing warping.
  • Use a glue stick or PVA-based adhesive: Applying a thin layer of glue stick on a glass bed creates a smooth surface that PETG will stick to nicely but will also release cleanly when cooled.
  • Avoid using blue painter’s tape: PETG tends to stick too aggressively to painter’s tape and may pull it off the bed.
  • Adjust first layer settings: Slow down the first layer speed to around 20-25 mm/s and increase the extrusion width slightly (around 120%) for better adhesion.
  • Cooling: Switch off or reduce the part cooling fan for the first few layers to improve layer bonding.

Bed Adhesion Tips for TPU

TPU’s flexibility requires a gentle approach to prevent warping and lifting:

  • Lower bed temperature: Around 50°C to 60°C is usually enough for TPU.
  • Use a PEI sheet or BuildTak: These surfaces provide good adhesion without damaging the flexible filament.
  • Apply a light glue stick layer: This can help TPU stick better on glass beds.
  • Print speed: Slow down the first layer to 15-20 mm/s to give TPU a chance to settle.
  • First layer height: Slightly increase the first layer height (e.g., 0.2 mm on a 0.4 mm nozzle) to prevent the nozzle from dragging the soft filament.
  • Use a brim: Adding a brim of a few millimetres can help hold the edges down and reduce warping.

Final Thoughts

Mastering bed adhesion for PETG and TPU takes a bit of trial and error, but with these practical tips, you’ll be well on your way to reliable, high-quality prints. Remember to always keep your bed clean and level, adjust your temperatures carefully, and tweak your first layer settings to suit the material.

Happy printing, and may your RC builds be strong and flexible!

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