Prepare the Printer
This page helps users check the printer before starting a print. The resources below cover filament loading, remaining filament, build plate preparation, bed adhesion, and printer-specific calibration.
Basic Printer Checks Before Printing
Before starting a print, take a minute to check that the printer is ready. The nozzle should be clean and free of extra filament, burnt material, or plastic stuck around the tip. If there is old filament on the nozzle, heat the printer to the printing temperature for that material and carefully wipe it with the proper tool. Do not touch the nozzle with your hands, since it will be hot. Also check that the filament is loaded correctly, the spool can move freely, and the filament is not tangled, brittle, or broken.
The build plate should also be clean, dry, and seated correctly on the printer. Dust, oil from your hands, glue buildup, or leftover filament can keep the first layer from sticking well. If the plate looks dirty, clean it before printing. Before pressing print, review the printer screen or software to make sure the correct printer, build plate, filament, and file are selected. These basic checks can help prevent simple problems before the print starts.
Quick Tip: The Right Way to Load Filament in your 3D Printer!
This video explains how to load filament into a 3D printer using either a direct drive or Bowden-style extruder. It covers heating the nozzle, unloading old filament, securing the spool, straightening and cutting the filament end, feeding it through the printer, and pushing filament through until the new material comes out of the nozzle.
Why this is useful: Loading filament correctly helps confirm that the printer has the right material installed and that the nozzle is clear before starting a print.
Do I Have Enough Filament
This video explains how to check whether a spool has enough filament left for a planned print. It shows how to weigh a spool, subtract the estimated empty spool weight, and compare the remaining filament to the amount listed in the slicer.
Why this is useful: Running out of filament during a print can waste time and material. Checking the spool before starting helps users confirm that the printer has enough filament to complete the print.
I Tested EVERY Kind of Buildplate... Which is Right for You?
This video compares several types of 3D printer build plates, including textured PEI, smooth PEI, cool plates, 3D effect plates, carbon fiber plates, and G10. It explains how different plates affect adhesion, surface finish, cleaning, material compatibility, and print removal.
Why this is useful: Different printers use different build plates, and not every plate works with every printer or material. This video can help users understand the build plate they already have, such as a textured PEI plate, and learn how cleaning, temperature, glue, and material choice can affect whether the print adheres correctly.
Basics: 5 Ways of Getting Your 3D Prints to Stick!
This video explains how first-layer height and build plate preparation affect whether a print sticks properly. It covers setting the correct nozzle height, checking the first layer, cleaning the build surface, using adhesives when needed, adjusting first-layer settings, slowing the first layer down, and changing nozzle or bed temperature for better adhesion.
Why this is useful: A print can fail early if the first layer does not stick to the build plate. This video helps users understand what to check before printing so the printer is ready to start the print cleanly and hold the object in place.
Check Your Printer’s Leveling Process
This tutorial provides general guidance for checking the printer before starting a print, but bed leveling is not the same on every machine. Some printers use manual leveling knobs, some use automatic bed leveling, and some use a combination of both. Because of this, it is best to check the manual for your specific printer before leveling the bed or adjusting the nozzle height.
You can also look up videos or guides for your exact printer model if the manual is unclear. A video can be helpful because it shows where the settings are, what parts of the printer need to be adjusted, and what the first layer should look like after leveling. Before starting a print, make sure you understand the leveling process for your printer and follow the steps recommended for that machine.