PETG Not Sticking to Bed? Find Out Why!

by Mike Brooks | Last Updated: June 25, 2022

Polyethylene terephthalate glycol PETG is a thermoplastic polyester that has been used in the 3D printing industry for decades.

It’s also one of the most common filaments in the market today, and you can find it at many online stores.

However, some people have reported that PETG filament does not stick properly on the bed surface. This article will help you understand why this happens so you can avoid these problems.

What Is PETG Filament? What Is PETG Plastic Made Of?

PETG is a plastic made from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. The two chemicals combine to form long chains of an amorphous polymer called PETG. These polymers then become solid after being heated up. You can cool down the resulting product into its final shape.

They melt quickly into a liquid state if cooled down. PETG melts around 230 degrees Celsius, which makes it ideal to be used as a hot-melt adhesive.

Why Is PETG Not Sticking to Bed?

There are several reasons why your prints might fail due to poor adhesion between layers. Here are some of the reasons:

1) The Bed Is Too Cold

If you’re using a heated bed and still have problems sticking, try raising the printing temperature until there is no stickiness in the print area. However, do not heat your bed surface above the glass transition temperature of 80°C.

If the printer doesn’t cool the print bed enough before adding another layer, the heat may damage the surface of the previous layer. You should always make sure the bed is cold before applying new material.

2) Your PETG Filaments Aren’t Smooth Enough

Try smoothing out any rough spots by running it a few times over a piece of sandpaper before printing. Make sure to clean your nozzle thoroughly after each run, and ensure it is close to the bed’s surface.

3) There Might Be Something Stuck Inside Your Extruder

Remove all debris from the bottom of your extruder chamber and clean off the sides as well. Make sure nothing is blocking the path of your filament. It could be clogged up somewhere along the way. Check your filters and replace them if necessary.

4) The Object You Print Does Not Contain UV-curable Resin

Some resins require exposure to ultraviolet light to cure properly.

5) Your Material Doesn’t Adhere Properly to the Surface

This usually happens when you apply too much pressure while applying adhesive. Try reducing the amount of pressure applied during application.

6) If You Print an Object With a Very Thin Layer

PLA will work fine, but ABS won’t because it requires thicker walls. Also, if the object printed has sharp edges. Sharp objects tend to cause issues with adhesion.

7) The Object Printed Had Previously Been Exposed to High Temperatures

Exposing parts to extreme extruder temperature cause warping on the first layers when printing, making it difficult to get good adhesion.

In this case, you can also use a bed leveler that enhances first layer adhesion and blocks PETG prints from warping.

How Can I Improve My PETG Bed Adhesion?

Once you know what causes the problem, you’ll want to fix it quickly. Here’s how to fix poor adhesion issues with PETG filament:

1. Make sure the nozzle is clean by wiping it off with alcohol
2. Check whether the bed is thoroughly cooled down
3. Apply more PLA on the top side of the printed object and wait about 10 minutes
4. Remove the part and clean the nozzle
5. Print again
6. Reheat the bed to ensure proper bonding between layers.

The Best Way To Clean Your 3D Printer After Printing Is

Remember to properly clean the print bed using soap and water instead of acetone and alcohol. Alcohol and acetone might remove the protective coating on the glass bed. Soap and water work best!

After printing, wipe down your printer bed with a damp cloth. Make sure to keep the nozzle from touching anything wet. Then rinse off the filament with warm water.

Let it dry completely before reusing.

How Do You Get PETG to Stick to a Glass Bed?

If you’re having trouble getting your PETG to stick correctly, try following these tips first:

• Use Proper Nozzle Temperature Setting

The best way to get good results from any filament is to set the right temperatures for the heating element and the extruder motor. For example, if you’ve got a 0.4mm diameter nozzle, you need to set its temperature to 230°C.

On the other hand, if you’ve got a 0.6mm nozzle, it’s best to set its temperature at 250°C.

• Adjust Extruder Motor Printing Speed

The speed of the extruder motor determines how fast the filament travels inside the barrel. A higher speed means faster travel time, but it also increases the risk of overheating. So, adjust the print speed according to the type of filament you’re using.

• Set Heater Element Temperatures Lower Than Recommended

When setting the heater elements’ temperature, keep in mind that lower settings mean longer warmup times. But remember that the slower the warming up period, the less likely the filament will adhere well to the build plate.

• Keep Your Build Plate Cold Before Adding a New Material

You must never apply new materials directly over melted materials. Doing so will only result in melting the previously applied material. Instead, wait until the entire print has been completed before removing the old one. This ensures that there won’t be any leftover traces left behind.

• Cool Down the Build Plate After Applying Each Layer

After you add each thin layer, let the build plate cool down for at least five seconds. Otherwise, the newly added material can start sticking to the existing layer. Make sure you thoroughly wipe away all the previous prints from the printing surface of the bed after each use.

If not done correctly, this could lead to clogged nozzles or even worse, problems such as stuck filaments.

• Avoid Using Too Much Heat During Melting Process

It’s important to use the correct amount of heat when melting plastic filaments. The ideal amount depends on the specific model of your machine.

However, most machines have an optimal range allowing them to work efficiently without causing problems. In case yours isn’t among them, here’s some general advice:

– Try printing with nozzles as small as 0.15 mm. These nozzles allow you to melt smaller quantities of material than larger ones do. They also reduce the risk of clogging or jamming during operation.

– If you still experience issues after trying these methods, consider switching to another brand of filament. Some brands may require slightly different operating conditions.

• Consider Changing the Type of Plastic You Are Printing With

There are many types of plastics available today. Most of them come in various colors and sizes. When choosing which one to use, make sure that it fits your needs. Here are a few examples:

a) PLA

It’s made from corn starch and sugarcane juice.

Check at Amazon

Its main advantage is that it doesn’t contain any toxic substances. Unfortunately, it tends to shrink more than ABS does.

b) Nylon 6/12

It comes in two varieties: nylon 6 and 12.

Check at Amazon

Check at Amazon

Both are strong and flexible enough to withstand high temperatures. Their biggest drawback is their tendency to warp under extreme heat.

You might like: Similarities Between Nylon & PETG

c) PETG

Many people consider PETG to be the safest choice among all kinds of polymers.

Check at Amazon

It contains no harmful chemicals whatsoever. Moreover, it melts quickly into almost anything else. One disadvantage is that it shrinks much more than others do.

• Use Filament That Is Appropriate for the Model You Want To Print

If you want to create realistic models, then choose a filament that closely resembles natural skin. For example, if you’re planning to 3D print a human face, then go for something like TPE. On the other hand, if you plan to print a toy robot, opt for ABS instead.

• Make Sure There Aren’t Any Problems With Your Machine

If you notice any signs of trouble while using your printer, stop immediately. Don’t try to fix things yourself because doing so could cause worse damages.

Is There Anything Else You Should Know About PETG Before Using It for Your Projects?

If your printer doesn’t seem to like PETG plastic, then you may want to try another type of material instead. Some materials work better than others, depending on the type of project you’re trying to create.

If you’ve tried several types of plastics before finding which ones stick best to your machine’s bed, then you might find yourself wondering how anyone figured out what works well enough to use as an everyday part of their life.

If you don’t know where to start looking for good quality parts, then we recommend starting by checking out our list of recommended resources below:

The first thing to consider about any new material is whether or not it’s from recycled content. If you look around, you’ll notice that almost all of the popular brands of PLA come from plants that recycle old bottles into new products.

While this isn’t always true for every brand, it does mean that you should expect more environmentally friendly options available to you.

Another essential factor to keep in mind is the cost of each material. We suggest choosing something that costs less per gram because you won’t need to buy quite as much over time.

Also, remember that cheaper materials tend to break down faster than pricier alternatives. So while you could save money initially, you’ll end up spending more overall due to having to replace your filament sooner.

Finally, think about the size of the object you plan to create. Smaller objects require smaller amounts of filament, but oversized items usually take longer to complete.

PETG Filament Pros and Cons:

Pros

• Easy to print
• It is biodegradable
• It is affordable compared to other filaments like PLA or ABS
• It doesn’t require much maintenance as long as you keep it clean
• It’s a very flexible material that you can easily cut into any shape or size

Cons

• It doesn’t last long under extreme temperature changes
• Requires special care while cutting or sanding
• Bends back into position after being flexed
• Not suitable for all types of prints

PETG Filament FAQ’s

Is PETG Filament Waterproof?

PETG filaments are suitable for waterproof applications and can withstand harsh weather conditions, unlike ABS. This makes it one of the most versatile printing materials available today.

Its high strength-to-weight ratio means that it’s ideal for creating lightweight structures.

Is PETG Filament Flexible?

Yes! PETG filaments are flexible and bendable, making them ideal for a wide variety of projects. Although bending PETG requires careful planning because it tends to snap back into place once bent.

This means that you can print intricate designs onto surfaces that would otherwise be difficult to reach. It allows users to mold shapes without breaking them apart easily.

Is PETG Filament Abrasive?

No. PETG filaments do not contain abrasive particles, so there shouldn’t be any problem using them in sanding operations. You should use PETG with caution if you’re working on delicate parts.

If you want to avoid scratches, make sure to apply pressure evenly across the part before removing the support structure.

You may find yourself needing to remove the support after printing, depending on how large your model is.

If you want to avoid scratches during sanding, make sure to apply even pressure across the entire piece.

Conclusion

PETG filaments offer great flexibility and durability at an economical price point. However, they also present some challenges that you must address carefully.

For example, PETG tends to crack when exposed to heat, limiting its ability to handle certain tasks.

It’s important to know what type of surface you will be applying PETG to as some plastics don’t work well together. We hope this guide will help you to get started with your project.

Michael Brooks is the founder of M3DZone.com. He sees a very bright future for 3D printing that's why his mission is to try and make this easy for everyone. Discover your hidden talent and creativity. You can follow here: Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest.