TPU (95A) first layer: bed, surface and adhesive
Quick answer
TPU (95A) sticks best to textured pei at a bed temperature of about 50 C. No adhesive is needed on a clean plate.
Bed temperatures and surface preparation are conventions drawn from manufacturer guidance. Your build plate maker knows your plate better than any general table.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Bed temperature, first layer | 50 C |
| Bed temperature, later layers | 40 to 60 C |
| Nozzle temperature | 220 to 240 C |
| Surface | Textured PEI |
| Adhesive | None |
| Enclosure | Optional |
| Warping tendency | very low |
What a correct first layer looks like
The lines should be slightly wider than they are on later layers and just touching each other, giving a continuous surface with no gaps and a faintly matte finish. Distinct round strands with gaps between them mean the nozzle is too high. A glossy surface with ridges pushed up between the lines means it is too low.
Slow the first layer right down. TPU buckles before it sticks.
TPU (95A) specifics
Flexible. Print slowly and keep the filament path short and supported.
TPU (95A) is forgiving enough that a first layer problem is usually genuinely the first layer: offset, plate cleanliness, or bed temperature. Clean the plate with isopropyl alcohol first, since finger oils are the single most common cause of a part that will not stick.
Build surfaces and adhesion
- Geeetech
Geeetech 6-Pack 3D Printer Glue Sticks, 36g, Enhanced First Layer Adhesion
$11.99 Check pricePrices change often - HENYCEE
HENYCEE PEI Build Plate for Bambu Lab X2D/P2S/X1/X1C/X1E/P1P/P1S/A1
$16.99 Check pricePrices change often
Common questions
What bed temperature for TPU (95A)?
About 50 C for the first layer, then 40 to 60 C for the rest of the print. Running the first layer slightly hotter helps it key into the plate, and dropping back afterwards reduces the chance of the lower part of a tall print softening and bulging, which is sometimes called elephant foot.
Do I need glue for TPU (95A)?
Not on a clean plate. TPU (95A) bonds well to PEI at temperature without help, and adding glue usually makes removal harder rather than adhesion better. Clean the plate with isopropyl alcohol when parts stop sticking, since skin oils are almost always the cause.
How do I set the Z offset?
Print a single layer patch, let it cool, peel it off and measure it with calipers. If you asked for 0.2 mm and measured 0.28 mm, lower the nozzle by 0.08 mm. Change the offset in small steps and confirm the direction on your machine first, because a few invert the sign and a large blind adjustment can gouge the plate.
Why did it stick last week and not now?
Plate contamination is the usual answer, and it builds up gradually so the failure seems sudden. Oils from handling parts transfer to the surface every time you touch it, and they repel plastic long before the plate looks dirty. Wash with warm water and dish soap, or wipe with isopropyl alcohol, and adhesion usually returns immediately.