Esthetic 3D Printing

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In this guide, I will discuss the basics of 3d printing. The purpose of this guide is to improve the quality of 3d prints. Modern printers such as Prusa and Bambu Lab offer excellent print quality, nevertheless, there are a few obvious, or less obvious, issues to pay attention to so that our prints look good.


Contents


1. Filament selection



1.2 Colors

Avoid obvious, plain colors. Choosing simple colors is one of the biggest aesthetic mistakes. The best choice for prints that are meant to look good will be all kinds of particle blended filaments. Such material is more interesting to the eye and helps hide the visibility of layers. It works very well for large uniform surfaces.


1.3 Quality matters

The quality of the filament used is critical to both the printing process and the final result. Low-quality filaments are characterized by high shrinkage, distortion, layer separation, stringing, and nozzle clogging.


1.4 Color combinations

Choose the right color combination. Choose the colors so that they work well together. For large pieces, avoid using colors that are far apart from each other. Try to keep the colors consistent. It is commonly believed that using one main color is “Style”. Using two main colors is “Elegance.” Using three main colors is “Cacophony.”


1.5 Accent color.

While flashy plain colors should be avoided in the main elements, Vivid filaments are an excellent choice for use in accent pieces. However, be sure to choose one maximum accent color and stick to it.


1.6 Filament drying.


2. Filament calibration


2.1 Custom presets.


2.2 Temperature tower.


2.3 Extrusion multiplier.


3. Slicing


3.1 Infill angle.


3.2 Seam position.


3.3 Complete individual objects.


3.4 Use 3 perimeters or more.


3.4 Layer height.


3.5 Custom brims and supports


4. Preparing the printer


4.1 Nozzle cleaning.


4.2 Plate cleaning.


4.3 Liquid glue

I recommend using regular school liquid glue that dissolves well in water. I also recommend using a kitchen sponge to spread the glue evenly.


4.3 Textured vs smooth plate.

Another important decision is the choice of plate. A classic textured plate perfectly captures the character of the plastic. It will also allow you to hide the lines of the print perfectly. Recently, there have been a lot of plates on the market with custom designs. Following the principle of “less is more”, I would suggest staying with the standard smooth and textured patterns.


Summary

  • Use PLA for stiff elements and PETG for flexible elements.
  • Avoid flashy colors for the main body of the design.
  • Choose one or two sophisticated colors that fit the nature of the product.
  • Use a maximum of one accent color.
  • Choose good quality filament.
  • Choose filaments with particles to blend layer lines.
  • Use dry filament.
  • Calibrate every new type of filament.
  • Tune the fill angle to the object’s orientation on the print plate.
  • Check seam placement and place it manually if necessary.
  • Print individual objects.
  • Use a minimum 3 perimeters
  • Use small layer height.
  • Use custom brims or supports if necessary.