First Layer guide

Everything the app knows, as plain pages. Calibration in the order that matters, settings for every common filament, and what to check when a print goes wrong.

When a print goes wrong

First layer won't stickFirst layer good in some places, bad in othersCorners lifting / warpingUnder-extrusionOver-extrusionStringing and wispsExtruder clicking or grindingLayers splitting apartLayer shiftingGhosting / ringingBlobs and zits on the surfaceRough, pitted surface with popping soundsDroopy overhangs and sagging bridgesElephant's footParts measure wrong / holes too smallHoles or pillowing in the top surfacePrint turned into spaghetti

Calibration, in order

Every step assumes the ones above it are already right. A temperature tower on a printer with a loose belt gives a real-looking result that means nothing.

Square the frame and check every fastenerTension the X and Y beltsSquare the CoreXY gantrySet V-wheel preload / linear rail playTighten the nozzle at temperatureSet extruder gear tensionPhysically tram the bedDial in Z-offset and first-layer squishMeasure actual filament diameterCalibrate e-steps / rotation distanceSet bed temperature and surface prepRun a temperature towerFind real max volumetric flowCalibrate flow ratio / extrusion multiplierTune pressure advance / linear advanceTune retraction DISTANCE (only)Tune retraction SPEED (only)Tune cornering — acceleration and jerk, only if ringing persistsCheck dimensional accuracy and hole sizeVerify overhangs and bridgingFind your real clearance for fitted parts

Filament settings

PLAPLA+ / Tough PLASilk PLAMatte PLAHigh-Speed PLACarbon Fibre PLAWood-filled PLAGlow-in-the-dark PLAMetal-filled PLAPETGCarbon Fibre PETGHigh-Flow PETGGlass-Filled PETGStandard TPU (90A–98A)Soft TPU (60A–85A)Semi-rigid TPU (55D–75D)Foaming TPU (LW-TPU)Composite TPU (CF / GF filled)High-Flow TPUABSASAGlass-Filled ABSGlass-Filled ASANylon (PA6 / PA12)Glass-Filled Nylon (PA-GF)Polycarbonate
Open First Layer →
The app walks this in order, generates the test model for your nozzle and filament, and records what you measure so nothing has to be repeated. Free, no account, works offline.