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Blue Tape for 3D Printing: The Complete Guide [2021]
3D Printing has rapidly grown in popularity and accessibility. What used to only be possible in advanced laboratories is now possible in the comfort of the home!
Whatever your purpose for 3D printing, whether professionally or just for fun, there are many components that play into the quality of the final product. One of the most important is bed adhesion.
Here is the ultimate guide to 3D printing with blue painters tape.
3D Printing Bed AdhesionWhat is 3D printing bed adhesion?Bed adhesion in 3D printing is how well the printed plastic parts are able to stick to the build plate. Good bed adhesion means that the plastic will not be easily removed or nudged, while poor bed adhesion means that it might move around during the printing process.
Essentially, as the filament hardens on the build plate, bed adhesion is what keeps everything in place. If the plastic pieces become top-heavy or get bumped, adhesion to the build plate is what keeps everything in place.
Bed adhesion is an important part of the 3D printing process. Luckily, there are special products designed to create the perfect amount of bed adhesion. Here are the reasons why bed adhesion is so crucial in 3D printing.
Not enough adhesion
If the 3D printed parts are loose enough to move around during the printing process, it can ruin the entire build. 3D printing requires exact measurements, so any sort of movement can misalign the entire build.
Too much adhesion
Alternatively, if the build plate has too much adhesion, it can be difficult to remove the plastic components. Any particularly thin pieces can potentially become damaged by the greater force required to remove them from the adhesion.
What kind of adhesives are used for 3D printing?Options for 3D Printing Bed Adhesion
PEI Sheets
PEI sheets, or Polyetherimide sheets, are adhesive plastic sheets designed to withstand the cycles of heat in 3D printing.
On one side, they adhere to the build plate, and on the other they allow you to build your 3D prints.
While are supposed to be reusable for up to a month, the soft plastic can be dented and damaged very easily. A build plate that isn’t perfectly level can ruin a print. Investing in a PEI sheet can be risky because if it is damaged during an early print, the sheet can become unusable.
Adhesive Spray
Another option for bed adhesion is adhesive sprays. You simply spray the adhesive onto the plate and start printing. This route is easy and allows you to maintain a level bed. Plus, cleaning up is simple too, as most sprays are soluble in water.
Even though this is certainly a convenient method of getting your prints to stick, it is not the most effective. Getting an even stickiness to the bed with a spray can be difficult, and often it can be hard to get the bed to be sticky enough.
Glue
Using a glue stick is a way to keep your prints in place during 3D printing.
Special glue designed for 3D printing is available at a relatively low cost. All you have to do is rub the glue stick where you are going to be printing, and the printer will take care of the rest.
However, like PEI sheets, they can create an unlevel bed. If too much glue builds up in one spot, the print can become crooked. Also, clean up can be kind of a pain because the glue will stick to the plate and the print.
Blue Painter’s Tape
Specialized blue painter’s tape is a great option for creating bed adhesion. The porous nature of the blue tape allows PLA nylon, and other filaments to stick directly to the back of the tape. Painter’s tape is also heat resistant so it can withstand heated beds and the heat of the filament.
While it does take some set up, the price of the supplies and the quality of the printed parts are unmatched.
How to Use Blue Tape for 3D PrintingClean the Surface
Before you start applying the tape, you should clean your printing bed of all residue.
This lets the tape stick and helps to keep your plate level.
Taping a 3D Printer Bed
While it will take a few minutes to properly tape your build plate, the prep work is not too difficult and can quickly be mastered.
With the adhesive side down, lay the tape down side by side. You want to be as precise as possible with this step so that there are no gaps that could let the filament through, but you also do not want any overlap of the tape which would cause the surface to be uneven.
Tape Diagonally
A key tip for taping a build plate is to lay the pieces of tape diagonally. When laying out the pieces side by side, start from one corner at a forty-five degree angle and work your way over.
This is helpful because it keeps the tape from warping with the print. If the straight edges of the print line up with the straight edges of the tape, the tape can lift off the plate as the filament cools.
Remove Bubbles with a Scraper
As you lay the pieces of tape down, be sure that there are no bubbles underneath the tape.
To ensure this, run a scraper over every piece as you place it.
You want to be gentle so that you do not damage or tear the tape, but you must be firm enough to remove any imperfections. If there is a piece of tape that becomes unusable, tear it off and try again; it is better to waste one piece of tape than an entire print!
Trim the Tape
When sizing up the strip of tape, pull it so it is longer than the width of the plate. Then when placing it, be sure to leave plenty of slack on either side of the plate. With a sharp razor, carefully slice the ends of the tape so it is flush with the sides of the plate.
If you don’t have a razor, it is also an option to wrap the excess tape underneath the bottom of the plate. However, this can affect the leveling of the build plate.
Avoid Touching the Top of the Tape
During this whole process of taping your build plate, try to touch the top of the tape as little as possible.
The oils in your fingers can affect the porousness of the tape.
If you are trying to print onto tape that you have been touching a lot, the oils from your hands may keep your parts from adhering to the tape. It is not so impactful that you need to wear gloves to place the tape, but just keep your contact to the tape at a minimum.
Preparing the Surface of the Tape
Once you have your blue painter’s tape on the build plate, there are various ways you can prepare the surface of your tape. Depending on what kind of adhesion you are looking for, you can use different methods for your own work.
You want to find the best balance between adhesion and clean removals that you can. If it has too much grip, the parts will not be easily removed. This could rip the tape or damage the parts. Too little adhesion will keep the printed parts from staying in place.
Unprepped Blue Tape
Leaving the blue tape untreated is a viable way to get adhesion. The porous nature of the tape allows the filament to attach itself, keeping your printed parts in place.
This method of adhesion should give you extremely clean removals. However, for prints that are top-heavy or unbalanced, you may need more adhesion to keep them steady and attached.
Scuffed Blue Tape
A simple trick you can use to add more adhesion to your blue tape is to scuff up the surface. Just take a dry sponge and rub-down the spot that you want to add adhesion to. By doing this, you increase the porousness of the tape, allowing the filament to stick to it even more.
This increases the adhesion of the tape, but it still allows for very clean removal of printed parts. The downside is, it will limit the lifespan of your tape. If you continue scuffing the same spot print after print, the tape will become worn down more quickly and will stop giving you quality results.
Glue on Blue Tape
Another option to greatly increase adhesion is combining blue tape with other methods of adhesion. Spraying hairspray or adhesive spray on top of the tape can give it more grab, and adding glue to the tape can increase it even more!
However, adding too much adhesive can cause problems.
If you have a print with a large surface area stuck to the tape, it can be very challenging to remove it cleanly from the build plate.
Additionally, while you can clean glue and spray off of the build plate, you cannot clean it off of tape. Using alcohol to clean glue off of the tape ruins porousness, making it unusable for future prints.
When to Add More Adhesion to the Build Plate
The typical rule of thumb is the more surface area that is in contact with the plate, the greater the adhesion will be. This is a good rule to take into account when dealing with bed adhesion. Blue painter’s tape will already provide great adhesion even without any added prep work.
Large-Based Parts
If your printed part has a wide base that will be making a lot of contact with the build plate, it could be unwise to add more adhesion. It could become difficult to remove the part even without added adhesion.
Small-Based Parts
On the other hand, printed pieces that have small legs or slim bases will not attach as firmly to the tape.
These pieces may need additional adhesion to keep it in place.
The best way to remove a 3D printed part from a taped bed is simply to wrench it loose with your hand. Do this carefully though, because applying too much force could snap your part.
You want to use this method if you can because it will preserve the quality of your tape, letting you use it again for future prints. However, if the adhesive of the tape is too strong, use these tricks to remove your printed parts safely.
Pry with a Putty Knife
After trying to wiggle the printed part free with your hand, the next course of action should be to use a putty knife to pry the piece off of the plate. If you can, slide the knife under a corner and work around the part, gently prying the piece free.
Remove the Tape
If that does not work, then the next step will be to remove the tape from the build plate. You can use your knife to make tears in the tape so you can remove it all.
Spray Isopropyl Alcohol
It is possible that the tape will tear up everywhere except for underneath the part. In this instance, you will want to spray or rub a solution made up of alcohol and water around the base of the piece. Wait a few seconds and the printed part and the tape underneath should remove easily.
Adjust the Height of the Nozzle
If your printed pieces are so hard to remove that you need to resort to removing the tape and spraying alcohol after every print, you may just need to adjust the height of the nozzle. The filament might be taking too long to cool between leaving the nozzle and contacting the plate, so it is seeping too deeply into the pores of the tape.
Start by raising the distance between the nozzle and the build plate by .1mm for your next print. Then continue raising it by this increment until you find that your parts are easy to remove but still have enough adhesion to the bed to get the job done.
When to Remove Blue Tape from a 3D Printer Bed
If you treat your blue tape carefully, you can get several weeks of use (up to 20 prints) out of a single taping.
The more care you take with placing and maintaining your tape, the longer it will work for you.
If you need to apply alcohol, tear up the tape, or the filament stops sticking to it, you will have to apply a fresh layer of tape to the build plate.
How to Remove Blue Tape from a 3D Printer Bed
Once you decide that it is the proper time to remove the tape, the process is as simple as unsticking it from the plate. If you have trouble getting it off in spots where parts were built, spray some alcohol and wait ten seconds. It should come off cleanly after that.
Once you have removed all of the tape, you should clean the build plate with alcohol so that there is no adhesive residue left behind. Once you have a clean build plate, you are ready to retape it to begin your next print!
Common QuestionsDoes blue painter's tape work on heated beds?
Because blue painter’s tape is heat resistant, it is able to withstand the heat generated by a heated 3D printing bed.
Quality painters tape will not come loose from the bed or become misshapen from the heat.
PLA and PETG are the best filaments for sticking to blue tape. They seep into the tape, allowing for grip to take place with no extra adhesives applied. ABS will stick to blue tape if you add some sort of extra adhesive.
Can masking tape be used for 3D printing?While masking tape can be used for 3D printing, it is not nearly as effective. Even though a roll of masking tape is similarly priced to blue tape, the rolls are typically slimmer so it takes more tape to cover the build plate.
Additionally, masking tape does not remove cleanly like painters tape does, meaning you will have to work a lot harder to clean your build plate once you are done with a layer of masking tape.
Is investing in blue tape to improve bed adhesion worth it?YES! Blue painter’s tape is an extremely cheap way to get bed adhesion for your 3D prints.
With other products, you need to worry about potentially damaging your bed adhesives, but a build plate can be covered with blue tape for less than a dollar.
Blue tape is cheap, resilient, and simple to use. If you need a simple solution to your bed adhesion problems, blue tape could be the answer you are looking for.
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Martin
Besides many test devices, Martin now has his fourth own 3D printer running and prints as a hobby for friends, family and himself. He is happy to share his experience with each new article.
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Poor print bed adhesion is one of the most common problems in 3D printing.
Blue Tape is one of the easiest methods to increase print bed adhesion.
To increase the print bed adhesion with Blue Tape, the tape is applied diagonally without bubbles, creases or overlapping areas on a previously cleaned print bed. As long as the Blue Tape remains undamaged, you can use it several times in a row.
In this article, you will learn why this method stands out from other methods such as glue or hairspray. We’ll also go step-by-step on how to best use it and how you can remove your print object at the end.
The most popular is Scotch Blue Tape from 3M*.
Scotch Blue Tape*Check Price at:
Amazon*
Table of Contents:
- 1 Print Bed Adhesion
- 1.1 When do I need more adhesion?
- 2 Methods for Improving Print Bed Adhesion
- 2.1 Glue sticks
- 2.2 Spray adhesive
- 2.3 PEI sheets
- 2.4 Kapton Tape
- 2.
5 BuildTak - 2.6 Blue Tape
- 3 How to Use Blue Tape
- 3.1 Step 1: Clean the print bed
- 3.2 Step 2: Apply Blue Tape diagonally
- 3.3 Step 3: Remove bubbles
- 3.4 Step 4: Cut off excess tape
- 4 Do Not Touch the Blue Tape!
- 5 Can I use Blue Tape on Heated Print Beds?
- 6 Blue Tape Printing Bed Temperature
- 7 Rough up the Blue Tape
- 8 Detaching Print Objects from Blue Tape
- 8.1 Increase print bed temperature
- 8.2 Remove by hand
- 8.3 Use a spatula or knife
- 8.4 Peel off Blue Tape with object
- 8.5 Isopropanol
- 8.6 Increase Nozzle Distance
- 9 When to Replace Blue Tape?
- 9.1 Removing the Blue Tape from the print bed
- 10 Blue Tape Troubleshooting
- 11 Surface Quality
- 12 Conclusion
Print Bed Adhesion
Print bed adhesion ensures that your print object stays in place while you print. If you have good print bed adhesion, the first layers will stay exactly where you want them.
If the print bed adhesion is too poor, either the entire object can detach and your print is completely destroyed or only individual areas (usually the corners) lift off the print bed.
If the print bed adhesion is too good, you may not be able to detach your print object from the print bed. If you then try to remove the object by force, it is often destroyed.
It is therefore important to get the right balance in print bed adhesion.
When do I need more adhesion?
There are a few obvious clues when you need more adhesion on your print bed. Two of them are warping and layer shifting. It is also possible to estimate beforehand whether you should improve the print bed adhesion or not.
Warping
Warping is the phenomenon when individual parts of your print object detach from the print bed. Mostly these are protruding areas like corners.
The warping phenomenon is very annoying because it can destroy the entire print object. Increasing the print bed adhesion is an effective way to eliminate the problem.
Layer Shift
In some cases of layer shifting, it can be caused by the object briefly losing its adhesion to the print bed. By increasing the print bed adhesion with Blue Tape*, for example, you can eliminate this problem.
First layer not sticking to the bed
If the first layer doesn’t adhere at all, it’s pretty obvious that you need to increase your print bed adhesion as long as you use the correct temperatures for your filament.
Often it can be sufficient to print a skirt before the actual print to stimulate the filament flow. In severe cases, you can also print a raft to create a whole new print bed on which even delicate objects adhere better. However, this is really only an emergency solution and should not be necessary if you create the right print bed adhesion.
Print object detaches during printing
If the entire print object comes off during printing, it’s also pretty obvious that you need more print bed adhesion.
Objects with a small base
If you sometimes have sufficient print bed adhesion with your 3D printer and sometimes not, you are on a boundary where some objects will stick and some will not.
In general, objects with delicate and detailed first layers tend to suffer more from poor print bed adhesion. The surface area between the first layer and the print bed is simply too small to create a sufficiently high adhesion.
Objects with a large base
For objects with a large base, it looks already different. Especially if this base has no filigree extensions but is more like a rectangle or a circle.
You then have a raft, so to speak.
Such a high surface area provides much more print bed adhesion than small parts with less surface area.
Methods for Improving Print Bed Adhesion
Glue sticks
Glue sticks are a common way to quickly increase print bed adhesion. There are now even special glue sticks for 3D printers*.
The application is very simple: you just have to spread the glue on the print bed where you want to print.
However, there are a few disadvantages with this method:
- The print bed cleaning is complex
- The print bed may become uneven
The glue on the print bed is difficult to remove. In addition, the adhesion may be far too great and you may not be able to get the print object off at all.
In these cases, it may help to heat the print bed to soften the adhesive again.
Another issue is that irregularly applied adhesive can create an uneven print bed. If too much adhesive accumulates in one place, the nozzle could drive into it or create irregularities in the print image.
Spray adhesive
Spray adhesives* have the advantage over glue sticks that they can be applied more evenly. You just have to spray it on the printing plate and you can start printing. So it’s very easy and quick to use.
In addition, most sprays are easier to remove during cleaning than other adhesives because they are soluble in water.
The disadvantage, however, is that it is not always easy to achieve uniform adhesion over the entire print bed. In addition, the print bed adhesion is not quite as strong as with other methods.
PEI sheets
PEI sheets* are adhesive layers that can be stuck to the print bed. Unlike an adhesive strip, the surface is one complete sticker.
With these sheets, you can also very quickly increase your print bed adhesion. However, it is often the case that the films do not last as long as promised because they are scratched or otherwise damaged very quickly.
Kapton Tape
Kapton Tape* is particularly suitable for ABS. However, it is very difficult to apply and the leveling of the print bed must be perfectly adjusted.
Unless you are printing with ABS where you have severe difficulties with warping or other effects, you should first try other methods to increase print bed adhesion.
BuildTak
A BuildTak surface* is particularly suitable for PLA, PETG and other standard filaments. Only for TPU it is not suitable.
Just like a PEI sheet, BuildTak is a large sticker that you stick on the print bed. However, the application is very easy because the surface is designed in such a way that it cannot throw bubbles.
In addition, the surface is very robust and is very difficult to damage. One could argue that the BuildTak surface is the biggest competitor to Blue Tape when printing with PLA.
Blue Tape
Blue Tape is a type of masking tape that you apply to the print bed to increase print bed adhesion.
In 3D printing language, Blue Tape usually means Scotch Blue Tape*. There are many blue painter’s tapes available, but only the Scotch Blue Tape from 3M gives you the desired adhesive effect for your print objects.
With which filaments does Blue Tape work?
Blue Tape works great with PLA, PETG and TPU. For ABS you would have to roughen the Blue Tape a bit or even use some more glue.
TPU without and with Blue TapeHow to Use Blue Tape
You might think that using Scotch Blue Tape* should be pretty easy. But why you shouldn’t just apply the tape without thinking about it will become clear in the next steps.
Step 1: Clean the print bed
This step applies in principle to any method of increasing print bed adhesion. In order for the Blue Tape to adhere properly to the print bed at all, the print bed must be clean:
- Dust, grease, oils and other contaminants must be removed from the print bed. All these things prevent good adhesion of the Blue Tape to the printing plate.
- Foreign bodies must be removed. This mainly refers to old filament residues on the printing plate. Since these are often difficult to remove, the spatula is usually used for this purpose.
As already mentioned, it is best to first remove coarse filament residues and dirt from the print bed with a spatula. Then you should clean the print bed thoroughly and remove all adhesive residues, grease and oil.
You can just use normal dish washing soap for this. What other options there are and what you need to consider in detail, you will learn in this detailed guide to print bed cleaning.
Step 2: Apply Blue Tape diagonally
Why diagonal?
You’re probably wondering why it’s important to apply the Blue Tape diagonally. I asked myself the same question the first time and simply ignored this tip…
After the first few prints with Blue Tape, however, I found out why it actually makes sense to apply the tape diagonally.
Since most print objects are oriented at right angles along the X and Y axes, it is often the case that their corners and edges are parallel to the X or Y axis.
If such an edge lies directly next to a gap between two adhesive strips, the print object together with the Blue Tape can lift off the print bed. This is very rare – but it can happen! And to reduce this probability, you should simply apply the tape diagonally.
Of course, you could always rotate the object in the slicer by 45 degrees…
Glue on exactly
The print bed must be level.
To achieve this with Blue Tape, you must apply the individual adhesive strips exactly next to each other. There must be no gaps or overlaps.
If gaps or overlaps occur, they will form directly on your print object and can destroy your print image.
Step 3: Remove bubbles
Already when applying the Blue Tape you have to make sure that no bubbles appear. If this should happen, you can try to press them out carefully.
To do this, you can carefully use a spatula or a cloth and your hand. The bubbles you can then very carefully press to the side to the edge of the adhesive strip where they disappear.
However, you must be very careful not to create any damage or kinks. As mentioned, the print bed must be even. If you have not succeeded in doing this, you must remove the adhesive strip and stick on a new one.
Step 4: Cut off excess tape
When applying the Blue Tape, you should use the entire print bed. And since you’re sticking it on diagonally, there’s always going to be some of the tape sticking out beyond the print bed.
You can simply cut this off at the end with a knife or scissors. You should not leave the excess tape or stick it under the print bed. It could get tangled up with moving parts or affect the leveling of the print bed.
In addition, the adhesive strip can loosen more easily over time if you dont cut it off. So better cut it off for longer durability and fewer problems.
How to use Blue Tape for 3D Printing.Do Not Touch the Blue Tape!
There is always some grease and oil on your hands. You can not avoid this even with thorough washing.
An oily surface will significantly weaken the print bed adhesion.
Therefore, you should avoid touching the Blue Tape at all costs. When applying the tape, you only need to touch the two ends of the strip and to press it firmly to the surface and remove any bubbles, you can use a cloth.
Also, when you later remove the print object from the Blue Tape, be careful not to touch it.
Can I use Blue Tape on Heated Print Beds?
Blue Tape can be used on a heatable print bed.
The tape itself and the adhesive can withstand the temperatures.
Since you can use the Blue Tape several times in a row, you will eventually notice that bubbles form after multiple uses when it cools down again. This is simply because the adhesive loses its effectiveness over time and the tape contracts when it gets cold.
However, as long as it still adheres during printing and the bubbles have disappeared when hot, you can still continue to use it.
Blue Tape Printing Bed Temperature
The print bed temperature is only slightly different from the temperature you would use without Blue Tape. Since every material is somewhat temperature insulating, it is only logical that you have to increase the temperature on the print bed a bit to get the same temperature on the first layer of the print object. However, since the Blue Tape is very thin, a few degrees are sufficient.
With some filaments like PLA, you can work with Blue Tape even without a heated print bed.
Rough up the Blue Tape
In most cases, Blue Tape is used as it is. However, you can also roughen the surface to generate even more print bed adhesion. In general, however, this is only very rarely necessary.
As mentioned before, it can also be disadvantageous to create too good a print bed adhesion. At some point, it becomes difficult to detach the print object from the print bed. A balance between easy detachment and good print bed adhesion is therefore important.
Extra strong print bed adhesion through a roughened Blue Tape surface can be worthwhile for objects that have a high center of gravity and are not well balanced. Such objects can otherwise detach themselves when printing is already well advanced.
To roughen the Blue Tape you can use a dry sponge or a rough cloth. Rub lightly on the Blue Tape to make the surface more porous.
More pores means more surface area and more surface area means more adhesion. This way you can greatly improve the adhesive properties of the Blue Tape.
The disadvantage of this method is that it also reduces the durability of the Blue Tape. The more often you rough up the same area, the thinner it becomes. At some point, you will have to replace the Blue Tape.
Detaching Print Objects from Blue Tape
Increasing the print bed adhesion can also be disadvantageous. Sometimes the adhesion is so strong that you can only release the print object with difficulty at the end.
Depending on what filament you used and what the first layers of the object look like, this can be easier or harder.
Increase print bed temperature
Often, print objects can be easily detached from a print bed when the temperature of the print bed has reached room temperature again. With a glass bed, for example, this is usually the case.
This is because filaments contract again when they cool down. These tensions on the print bed mean that the print object can come loose on its own.
With Blue Tape, however, the situation is somewhat different.
Due to the rough surface, this effect does not occur and it may even be more difficult to remove the print object from a cold print bed than from a warm one.
Therefore, for Blue Tape with most filaments, it is advisable to remove the print object when the print bed is hot. At high temperatures, the adhesion between the print object and the Blue Tape is not so great, as the two materials are still somewhat softer.
Remove by hand
The safest and easiest way to remove the print object from the Blue Tape is to use your hands. Especially if you follow the previous tip about the print bed temperature, this is the best way to safely remove your print object from the print bed without damaging the Blue Tape.
Depending on the form and size of your print object, you may find it easier or harder to remove it by hand. For example, if the object is very tall but has a small base, it will be easier to remove by hand than if it is very flat with a very large contact area.
To remove a print object from the Blue Tape with your hand, lift it up sideways.
Make sure that you hold the Blue Tape with your other hand to prevent it from coming loose.
Use a spatula or knife
If the Blue Tape does not come off by hand, you can carefully loosen it with a spatula or a knife.
If you use a spatula, you just need to press it lightly under a corner and then use leverage to push the object up.
You can also try this with a knife or lightly peel all sides of the Blue Tape around the object and then use your hand.
The problem with these methods is that you can easily destroy the Blue Tape. As soon as you scratch the Blue Tape, you have to replace the affected strip or even the complete Blue Tape.
Such damage to the surface directly affects the result of your print object. It may even be that the first layer will no longer adhere to it.
Peel off Blue Tape with object
If it’s an object that needs to look good aesthetically, I’m usually willing to sacrifice the Blue Tape for that print and not use it again.
As soon as I notice that the object cannot be removed from the Blue Tape by hand (not even with a hot print bed), I simply tear off the complete Blue Tape with the object from the print bed.
After that, I have the print object in my hand, but the Blue Tape is still stuck to the underside. Now it is easier to remove it from the underside. Especially at the edges this should no longer be a problem and on the underside, you can carefully use tweezers or a fine knife to help to remove it.
Isopropanol
In very hard cases, the print object may adhere so well to the Blue Tape and the tape itself may also adhere extremely well to the print bed that you can’t loosen either one.
The print object sticks together with the Blue Tape rock-solid to the print bed and cannot be detached. In such cases, the Blue Tape simply tears off at the points where the print object starts and you have no chance to tear it off.
Isopropanol* can be used as a solution here.
You can spray this on the sides of the printer object or apply it lightly with a brush, which will cause the glue to dissolve and lose its effect.
You should be careful not to touch the print object itself as some filaments, like PLA, can be sensitive to isopropanol.
Increase Nozzle Distance
If you regularly create too much print bed adhesion with the Blue Tape, it may be useful to increase the Nozzle distance.
Especially if you’ve had to use isopropyl alcohol or regularly tear your tape, you should adjust the spacing.
Blue Tape is porous. The still liquid filament therefore bonds easily with the Blue Tape. This is how the good adhesion is created.
However, if the filament is too liquid and remains too long in the liquid state on the Blue Tape, it penetrates deeper and deeper into the tape and the adhesion becomes stronger and stronger. To reduce this, you should not reduce the temperature but the distance between the nozzle and the print bed.
This way the filament has less contact with the Blue Tape and does not have as much time to penetrate the pores.
So as soon as you need isopropanol, you should try increasing the distance by 0.1 mm. If you want to reduce the adhesion in general, start with 0.05 mm and work your way up.
When to Replace Blue Tape?
Blue Tape can be used repeatedly as long as it remains undamaged. In principle, you only need to replace the Blue Tape when it is either damaged or you notice that the adhesive properties are weakening.
For me, the former is usually the case sooner. The adhesive properties really last a long time. Even if you use it so often that it becomes very fibrous on the surface, the adhesion is still excellent.
Removing the Blue Tape from the print bed
The longer you use Blue Tape, the different it will be to remove it from the print bed. On some print surfaces it will be more difficult to remove it over time and on some it will be easier.
If it gets more difficult, you may end up needing isopropyl alcohol to completely loosen it from the print bed and rid it of adhesive residue.
On other surfaces, however, it is also the case that it will eventually come off by itself or bubbles start to form. Then it is quite easy to remove with bare hands.
Blue Tape Troubleshooting
While Blue Tape is one of the easiest methods to optimize print bed adhesion, difficulties can still arise.
To improve print bed adhesion with Blue Tape, you can try the following:
- reduce printing speed for the first layer
- increase the nozzle temperature for the first layer (in max. 5 °C steps).
- increase the print bed temperature for the first layer (in max. 5 °C steps).
- leveling the print bed
- changing the distance between the nozzle and the print bed
- roughen Blue Tape a little
- deactivate object fan for first layer
Surface Quality
The bottom of your 3D print will not be as perfect with Blue Tape as it would be on a smooth glass print bed. The surface will be slightly matte and you can see the texture of the tape.
If some Blue Tape remains stuck to the bottom of your print, you can simply remove it carefully with your fingernail or a knife. If this happens more often, it is a sign that you should replace the Blue Tape.
The advantage of Blue Tape surface texture is that the bottom surface is no longer so different from the other surfaces of your 3D print. Often the smooth result from a glass bed is very different from the other surfaces.
However, if you want you can smooth the underside with sandpaper and even polish it to get a perfectly smooth surface.
Related Post:
How to Smooth 3D Prints: SLA Resin, PLA, ABS, PETG, etc.
Conclusion
Scotch Blue Tape* is one of the easiest ways to solve print bed adhesion problems.
It is suitable for many filaments, lasts for multiple prints and can significantly increase the quality of your 3D prints.
Disclosure: This website is the property of Martin Lütkemeyer and is operated by Martin Lütkemeyer.
Martin Lütkemeyer is a member of the Amazon Services LLC and other Affiliate Programs. These are affiliate advertising programs designed to enable websites to earn advertising revenue through advertising and linking to Amazon.com and others. Links marked with * are affiliate links.
everything you need to know
Many 3D printer owners experience parts coming off the table during 3D printing. Let's take a look at the causes and solutions.
What is adhesion?
The very concept of "adhesion" means the adhesion of surfaces of dissimilar bodies. In 3D printing, platform adhesion is the ability of the plastic that a part is made of to adhere to the surface of the stage during printing.
If the adhesion is insufficient, then the manufactured parts may be deformed or even come off the table. During 3D printing, the part must be firmly attached to the platform, and after completion, it should be easy to remove. Filament manufacturers typically recommend adhesives for their filaments, and 3D printer manufacturers offer worktables in aluminium, glass, stainless steel, or even with specialty coatings.
All this helps the plastics stick better during printing, but there are no working surfaces that are equally well suited for all types of plastics.
Also, do not forget about thermal expansion, which causes a change in the dimensions of manufactured parts at different temperatures. The difference in temperature between the bottom and top of a part can cause the edges of the part to peel off during 3D printing. This mainly applies to materials such as ABS, which require a heated worktable to work with. When printing with these materials, the layers need to cool down a bit to be able to build a 3D object at all, but not so much as to cause peeling at the edges.
In this article we will look at what affects adhesion and how to solve many problems in terms of adhesion of products to work surfaces.
3D Printer Enclosed Chamber
For high heat shrink materials, the best option is to use 3D printers with an enclosed chamber to keep out drafts and retain heat. Many printers are equipped with an active chamber heater that maintains the desired temperature and does not allow the parts to cool.
A uniform background temperature during 3D printing reduces warping and ensures better adhesion.
Owners of open printers are left to come up with various devices (for example, boxes) that cover the 3D printer to keep heat, or build heat-retaining walls around the printed model, which increases printing time and filament consumption.
First coat adhesion
The first thing to look at is first coat adhesion. This is one of the most common problems faced by almost all printers. If the first layer is laid unevenly, then the percentage of rejects for the rest of the part increases very much, so it is very important to solve the issue of adhesion of the first layer before 3D printing. In most cases, the problem is solved by calibrating the work table and adjusting the distance between the nozzle and the work surface.
It is important to correctly set the distance between the nozzle and the stage surface
Brim and Raft methods table.
Brim or Raft increase the contact surface of the plastic with the work surface around the lower layers and thereby increase traction. Underlays or Rafts consist of several layers and are horizontal grids of filament located under the model. The raft is used as a base for the first layers of the product and is designed to increase the level of adhesion. In addition, the raft helps to level the surface of the table: if there are irregularities on the surface, they are leveled to a certain extent by the substrate, and the model is printed already on a flat base. Another advantage of rafting is that it reduces the chance of problems due to too much or too little gap between the nozzle and the table when laying the first layer.
Brim is used to stabilize small patterns or "islands" (separated areas of the printed product). Brims increase the contact area and help the model stay on the table if it comes into contact with the surface in small areas.
Worktable temperature and adhesion promoter
After calibrating the platform and adjusting the gap between the nozzle and the surface of the table, let's move on to the next question. The next reasons for poor adhesion may be the wrong stage temperature (if the 3D printer has a heating option) and the wrong selection of adhesion promoters for a particular filament.
Working stage temperature selection
One of the common causes of poor adhesion is the wrong stage temperature selection for a particular material. When the molten filament is applied to the table and then cools, deformation occurs. If the temperature of the stage is incorrectly selected, the outer edges of the printed product are compressed, and we get warpage: the edge of the product comes off, clings to the nozzle, and the product completely comes off the platform.
Usually, 3D printing filament manufacturers list the recommended heating temperature for the stage on their website or boxes.
For the most common materials, you can use average values.
Sample worktable temperatures for some materials:
- PLA: 60°C
- ABS: 100-110°C
- PETG: 85°C
- Nylon: 100°C (depending on material composition)
- Polycarbonate: 110°C (the warmer the better)
Worktable temperatures for each plastic manufacturer may vary. You can choose the optimal temperature only empirically.
The table below shows the recommended temperatures for 3D printing with REC 3D plastics:
| PLA | ABS | Relax (PETG) | TPU D70 | PP+ | Eternal (ASA) | RUBBER (SEBS) | Easy Flex (TPU A95) | Flex (TPEE) | PVA |
| 0-60°C | 90-110°C | 20-60°C | 20-60°C | 20-40°C | 80-110°C | 90-110°C | 30-60°C | 60-80°C | 50°C |
Scroll →
| HIPS | Cast (PMMA) | PSU | PEEK | Friction (PA12+GF12) | Biocide PETG | rPETG | FormaX | GF MAX | UltraX | Clotho ABS |
| 90 110°C | 90-110°C | 140-160°C | 130-145°C | 100-110°C | 60-80°C | 60-80°C | 95-110°C | 90°C | 120-135°C | 110-115°C |
Adhesion aids
Adhesives are often used to improve adhesion and reduce the risk of damage to the glass surface of the worktable, such as varnish or 3D printing glue, PVA glue, stationery glue stick, dissolved ABS plastic (the so-called "ABS juice"), blue tape, etc.
One tool for printing all types of plastics will not be enough. In our article, we will not consider such folk remedies as beer or sugar syrup, but will focus on more traditional methods.
Basic adhesives:
Varnish or glue for printing 3 D-
Hairspray times are long gone, and now almost no one uses them due to low efficiency. More effective adhesives for 3D printing have come to replace.
Typically, 3D printing lacquers and adhesives are formulated to take into account the properties of different filaments and allow the first layer of the printed model to be reliably adhered to the worktable. Simply put, these are universal tools suitable for working with multiple types of filaments.
There are already quite a few manufacturers of 3D printing varnishes and adhesives on the market in various volumes and for any budget. It's not worth saving - one bottle will be enough for several months of printing, and you will save your nerves and time spent on reprinting damaged parts.
Easy to use: spray varnish or glue on the platform and spread it evenly over the surface with a clean, soft cloth.
ABS - juice
Composition for those who like to save money or who do not have glue or varnish on hand. It is made simply: finely chopped ABS rod or the remnants of a previous printing with ABS plastic are immersed in acetone and after a few hours a thick solution is obtained that can be applied with a brush even on a cold platform.
This method is very reliable as an additional adhesive, but when 3D printed, the acetone evaporates and creates an unpleasant odor.
PVA glue , stationery glue stick
PVA glue is applied to the work surface with a brush and rubbed until a uniform thin layer is obtained. As a rule, when hardening, the glue becomes transparent. After drying, you can start 3D printing. The method is not bad, but the reliability of such a method is doubtful.
Stationery glue stick is mainly used when there is nothing else to hand. The most popular option is Kalyaka-Malyaka glue. The glue is applied in one layer, after the platform cools down, the part is easily separated, and the glue itself is easily washed off the glass and from the printed part.
Kapton film, blue masking tape and film Lomond
Masking tape is more suitable for 3D printers without heated platform. The adhesive tape is carefully glued to the entire area of the table and allows you to print small details without heating the table. This option is especially suitable when working with PLA plastic, however, with an increase in the area of \u200b\u200bproducts, the edges of the parts can come off along with the adhesive tape, so the relevance of this method is limited. More often, Kapton tape or Lomond film is used.
On Kapton tape, the lower surface (the sole of the product) is very smooth, the parts are well separated after cooling, but you can’t leave the product on the cooled table, as the plastic pulls the tape together and air bubbles form under it.
When 3D printing on Kapton tape, it is necessary to heat the platform and additionally smear the adhesive tape with glue. Suitable for 3D printing of medium-sized products.
Lomond film was popular until various adhesives appeared. After gluing, the top layer on the film itself must be washed off for better adhesion. Details after printing on such a film are quite difficult to tear off. Over time, bubbles also form under the film, so the film must be changed regularly. Suitable for 3D printing large items.
Additional points to remember:
PLA- plastic is the most unpretentious polymer. For stable printing with polylactide, it is not necessary to treat the surface of the table with additional adhesives, a clean glass surface is sufficient. A prerequisite is that the platform is heated to 60°C. If the platform is not heated, then it is better to print using adhesive agents - varnish, 3D printing glue or blue tape for small parts.
PLA also loves airflow, so keep the fans on full.
ABS- plastic shrinks a lot and needs help to better adhere to the surface. The main types of additional tools are varnish or glue for 3D printing, ABS glue, stationery glue stick, PVA glue.
When working with ABS, the platform must be heated to 100-110°C. It is advisable to use 3D printers with closed cameras that support high background temperatures. When 3D printing on open printers, it is necessary to use a heat-retaining cocoon around the model. Many slicers already offer this feature. Blowing of products made of ABS plastic is highly undesirable, as cracking of parts in layers and detachment from the working surface due to shrinkage can occur.
PETG is a very easy to work material that does not require high temperatures or fine print settings. Plastic has excellent adhesive properties and adheres very strongly to clean surfaces. On the other hand, high adhesion can lead to separation of pieces from glass tables when products are separated, so it is advisable to apply separating layers on the work surface - the same glue or varnish for 3D printing.
This will help both separate products and prevent damage to the glass.
Flex has high adhesive properties, good bonding not only between coats, but also with working surfaces. Again, it is advisable to use 3D printing varnish or glue to avoid damaging the glass. Film coatings are not recommended.
In the case of Composite with Positioning Materials, the choice of adhesive agents is mainly determined by the type of base material. Usually recommendations for preparing for 3D printing with composites can be found on the manufacturer's website. If not, please contact technical support for advice.
For example, the FormaX composite from the X-line range is based on ABS plastic, but the properties of the composite material differ from pure ABS due to the presence of carbon fiber filler. Formax is not characterized by cracking in layers, but the composite requires the use of additional adhesive agents, so the manufacturer recommends using varnish or glue for 3D printing
Material storage and drying
The effect of moisture on filaments can be both cosmetic and functional.
The most innocuous result of high humidity is a change in the textures of 3D printed products, although this is rarely limited to roughness alone (and haze when it comes to transparent plastics) and is usually accompanied by a decrease in interlayer adhesion and adhesion to the substrate. A more serious effect can be an uneven supply of plastic: water in a sufficiently wet filament boils when passing through the hot end, and the resulting steam leads to the appearance of bubbles in the material being laid and even to jerky extrusion with all the ensuing consequences in terms of quality and poor adhesion. Detailed instructions for storing plastics are available at this link, and for drying plastics - here.
Cleaning the 3D printer table. Tips and Tricks.
3D printing is a very unstable process, I think everyone who is at least slightly familiar with plastic filament printing technology will agree with this. Unpleasant crashes in the 3D printer can occur for various reasons, and one of the most common reasons is the detachment of the model being grown from the desktop surface.
And as a rule, this happens in the middle of printing, when you are already convinced of the stability of the press and are distracted by another activity. It is precisely for this reason that ensuring good adhesion of the first layer to the platform is very important for the successful completion of 3D printing.
Today there are many ways to improve the adhesion of the first layer to the bed. A lot of articles and recommendations have been written about this, so we will not talk about them. It is worth noting one of the simplest methods - is keeping the desktop of a 3D printer clean . Regular and thorough cleaning of the platform will not only improve adhesion, but will make printed models more beautiful and smooth.
In this article we will look at the best way to clean the 3D printer table, using the example of popular coatings:
Remember to be careful when using the methods below, as spilled liquid may damage the 3D printer.
We recommend removing the bed from the printer before cleaning (if possible).
PEI sheet surface cleaning
Recently, PEI sheet has become a very popular material for improving adhesion in 3D printers. It provides excellent adhesion to various materials, and when it cools down, the printed model lags behind it very easily. The sheets are very simple and not fussy to use, and most often it does not require additional application of glue or adhesive tape.
Unfortunately, in order to achieve maximum efficiency, the PEI surface also requires regular and high-quality cleaning. If PEI is touched frequently, it can develop greasy spots that reduce adhesion to the material. Rough cleaning can also damage the surface and reduce sticking. Regular cleaning and maintenance of PEI will ensure that your models do not come off.
How to clean PEI surfaces
To clean such surfaces, we recommend using isopropyl alcohol (chemically pure, odorless) with a concentration of more than 70%.
You can use it with a smell, but it is very caustic and unpleasant, the room will need to be ventilated.
Wait for the platform to cool, then liberally soak a dry cloth or paper towel with alcohol and wipe the surface. This will remove a significant portion of the fats and oils from the bed.
Acetone is also good at dissolving plastic residues on the surface. In the same way, liberally moisten the cloth with liquid, then gently wipe the surface of the 3D printer desktop. We strongly recommend doing this work in a well-ventilated area, as acetone is highly flammable and its vapors can penetrate the electronics of the device
If you have been using PEI sheet for quite a long time, and its resource is visually exhausted, we recommend using fine grit sandpaper (1500+). With gentle, circular motions, sand the surface until light scratches and depressions are removed.
When should I clean?
Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the surface with isopropyl alcohol every 2 to 3 prints.
After a few months of use, sand the surface and wipe thoroughly with acetone. If it is no longer possible to restore the surface by the listed methods, then replace it with a new sheet from PEI. The lifespan of such material varies depending on the brand and frequency of use of the 3D printer.
Cleaning the glass surface
Glass is another very common 3D printer desktop material. Much more durable than PEI and similar surfaces. The glass plates provide a smooth and level surface at the bottom of the model.
This surface is usually used in combination with other aids (eg glue stick or hairspray) to improve the adhesion of the first layer. Such products are especially popular on tables that are not equipped with heating. Therefore, regular cleaning of the glass is necessary to prevent adhesive or varnish from sticking.
How to clean the glass platform
The easiest way to clean a glass plate is to use a scraper or a non-metal spatula.
If the table is heated, then heat it until the material remains soft, after which they should be easily removed with a scraper.
Be careful when scraping. Depending on the scraper, the blade can be very sharp, so be careful not to scratch the surface. We recommend that you put your hand on the handle of the scraper, and with the other hand press down on its middle, so that the greatest force is directed downwards.
If this does not work, try wiping the glass with warm soapy water. Although simple, this method is very effective for removing hairspray, glue, and other adhesives. Keep in mind that this method is only recommended if the 3D printer allows you to remove the platform. Spilled water can seriously damage the heating element, power supply or other electronics of the device.
Dirt can also be removed with specialized cleaning products. For example, wet alcohol wipes, window cleaner, isopropyl alcohol will also effectively wash away adhesive residue and restore the glass surface.
However, do not take too strong cleaners. Such substances can severely damage the surface or even the 3D printer. In order to be sure to select a cleaning agent for your particular 3D printer, it is best to contact its manufacturer. Most often, they willingly make contact with users and willingly give advice.
When to clean the glass surface
Again, this will depend on how often you use the printer. We recommend cleaning the surface after each print to prevent buildup of glue or varnish. Such a procedure will not take much time, but the print will be more stable, and the resulting prints will have a beautiful and even surface. Once the models stop sticking (usually after a month), try washing the surface with soap and water. After about two to four months, you will have to resort to isopropyl alcohol or other specialty drugs. substances.
Cleaning adhesive tapes
Adhesive tape is another proven way to increase adhesion to the print platform.
Today, this method is more common on 3D printers without the function of heating the desktop. Masking tape is the most common remedy, but so are Kapton and others.
One of the reasons for the popularity of such linens is their ease of use and relatively inexpensive cost. They are easy to stick to the surface and are available at almost any hardware store. However, there are also disadvantages: the tape quite often peels off when the printed model is removed, so it must be reapplied regularly.
How to clean?
Unfortunately masking tape is one of the most difficult to clean due to its fragility. however, we have found that gentle scraping is one of the most effective ways to clean it. With light pressure, evenly scrape off the remaining plastic thread from the surface, being careful not to tear it.
If the tape does break during cleaning, replace this area with a new strip. The main thing is not to overdo it and do not apply a thick layer, this can adversely affect the quality of the print.
