Troubleshooting 3D Print Stringing Issues

3D printing stringing is a common problem that can significantly affect the quality of your prints. It occurs when small strings or hairs appear between the parts of your print where the nozzle must move across open space.

Knowing what causes stringing and how to fix it is critical for anyone involved in 3D printing. Whether you're a hobbyist, a professional, or somewhere in between, this guide is here to help. We'll cover everything from adjusting your retraction settings to performing a 3D print stringing test, to make enjoy string-free 3D printing.

Let's get started now.

What Causes Stringing in 3D Printing 3D print stringing, also known as oozing, occurs when filament leaks from the nozzle as the extruder moves, causing thin plastic strands to form across open spaces in the print.

Stringing in 3D printing can be caused by a variety of factors.

Incorrect retraction settings . Retraction is the process of pulling the filament back from the nozzle as the extruder moves to a new location. If the retraction distance or speed is not set correctly, stringing can occur. Printing at an extruder temperature . When the filament is too hot, it becomes more liquid and can easily flow out of the die. This can cause stringing, especially during movement between print areas. Print speed can also contribute to stringing . If the print speed is too fast, the filament may not have enough time to retract properly, resulting in stringing. Here are some common causes of stringing in 3D printing:

Incorrect retraction settings High print temperature High print speed Poor quality filament Humidity affecting the filament How to Stop Stringing 3D Printing? 1. Optimizing Retraction Settings

Retraction settings play a critical role in preventing stringing. As the extruder moves between different parts of the print, the filament is retracted to prevent it from escaping. If the retraction settings are not optimized, stringing can occur.

Retraction Distance The retraction distance is the length of filament that is pulled back from the nozzle during retraction. If the distance is too short, the filament may continue to ooze, causing stringing. On the other hand, if the distance is too long, it can cause under-extrusion or clogging.

Finding the right retract distance requires some trial and error. It may vary depending on the type of filament and the specific 3D printer model. However, typically 0.5-1mm is a good starting point.

Retraction Speed The retraction speed is the speed at which the filament is pulled back. If the speed is too slow, the filament may squirt out before the retraction is complete. If the speed is too fast, the filament may break or the extruder may skip steps.

Like the retraction distance, the optimal retraction speed can vary. It's important to experiment with different speeds to find the one that works best for your setup. Typically, speeds between 20-40 mm/s are a good starting point.

Update the latest universal Creality 3D Printing Retraction Settings The following are the recommended retraction distance and take-up speed settings for various Creality filament print parameters.

Filament Printing Temp (℃) Hotbed Temp (℃) Recommended Environmental Temp (℃) Printing Speed （mm/s） Retraction Distance Retraction Retract Speed Generic-PLA 190-230℃ No heating-60℃ 40-100 0.5mm 40mm/s Hyper-PLA 190-230℃ No heating-60℃ 40-100 0.5mm 40mm/s Silk-PLA 190-230℃ 50-60℃ 40-80 0.5mm 40mm/s CR-PLA Carbon 190-220℃ 50-60℃ No Requirement 40-80 0.5mm 40mm/s Generic-ABS 220-260℃ 90-110℃ 50-80℃ 40-80 0.5mm 40mm/s CR-PETG 230-250℃ 60-100℃ No Requirement 40-80 0.5mm 40mm/s CR-Wood 190-230℃ No heating-60℃ No Requirement 40-100 0.5mm 40mm/s HP-TPU 200-220℃ No heating-60℃ No Requirement 30-120 2mm 40mm/s Generic-TPU 210-240℃ 50℃ No Requirement 10-50 2mm 40mm/s 2. Adjusting Print Temperature Print speed is another factor that can affect stringing. If the print speed is too high, the filament may not have enough time to melt properly, resulting in under-extrusion and stringing. Conversely, if the print speed is too slow, the filament may become too liquid and squirt out of the nozzle. This can also cause stringing.

You can refer to Creality’s official recommended settings for printing speed parameters of different filaments.

td {white-space:nowrap;border:3px solid #dee0e3;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;vertical-align:middle;word-break:normal;word-wrap:normal;} Creality 3D Printing Filament Specification (Universal) Filament Printing Temp (℃) Recommended Printing Temp (℃) Hotbed Temp (℃) Recommended Hotbed Temp (℃) Recommended Environmental Temp (℃) Printing Speed （mm/s） Recommended Printing Speed （mm/s） CR-PLA 190-230 200℃ No heating-60℃ 50℃ 40-100 50 CR-PLA Matte 190-230 200℃ No heating-60℃ 50℃ 40-100 50 CR-Silk 190-230 200℃ 50-60℃ 50℃ 40-80 50 CR-PETG 230-250 240℃ 60-100℃ 90℃ No Requirement 40-80 50 CR-TPU 210-240 225℃ 50℃ 50℃ No Requirement 10-50 15 CR-ABS 220-260 240℃ 90-110℃ 100℃ 50-80℃ 40-80 50 CR-Wood 190-230 200℃ No heating-60℃ 50℃ No Requirement 40-100 50 CR-PLA Carbon 190-220 200℃ 50-60℃ 50℃ No Requirement 40-80 50 CR-PA Carbon 230-260 250℃ 80-90℃ 80℃ 60-80℃ 40-80 50 Ender-PLA 190-230 200℃ No heating-60℃ 50℃ 40-100 50 Ender-PLA+ 190-230 200℃ No heating-60℃ 50℃ 40-100 50 HP Ultra PLA 190-230 200℃ No heating-60℃ 50℃ 40-100 50 HP-TPU 200-220 210℃ No heating-60℃ 50℃ No Requirement 30-120 50 HP-ASA 240-260 250℃ 80-110℃ 80℃ 60-90℃ 30-60 50 HP-HIPS 220-260 Same of chief material temp 70-110℃ Same of chief material temp 3. Filament Types and Stringing Different types of filament can behave differently when it comes to stringing. The two most common filament types, PLA and PETG, each have their own characteristics that can affect stringing.

PLA stringing PLA is a popular choice for 3D printing due to its ease of use. However, it can be prone to stringing, especially if the print temperature is too high or the retraction settings are not optimized.

It's important to perform a stringing test with PLA to find the optimal settings for your printer.

Troubleshooting 3D Print Stringing Issues

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