<p>Might just be that you are bridging without collapsing but still have some visible sag.  Things to try:</p>

<p>1) increase the support/infil density.  If slic3r has a configurable setting like Cura does, you only need to increase the density for the last couple mm prior to the top layer.</p>

<p>2) increase the top plate thickness (number of extruded layers). This often allows the first extruded layer to sag, but the final layer or two to be quite flat. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-01T16:18:06.293Z
I usually use 5 top layers and get most often a decent surface, if I need it *really* well, I pack 6.
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-04T08:26:37.613Z
Hi, the infill is 20% and the whole surface is supported (even the bridges) I was able to recreate the problem on a small 30 minute print, reducing the temperature to 205 degrees C seems to help. Now getting into trouble with bed adhesion but the wrinkles on the small test are gone :)
Paul V
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-01T15:50:13.487Z
2019-03-01T15:50:13.487Z
Carl Witthoft
<p><em>Waves in printed surfaces with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_filament_fabrication" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FFF</a> are observed at either the bottom layer (common) or the top layer (less common).</em></p>
<h2>Waves in bottom layer</h2>
<p>Rippling/wave generation/wrinkling is a common problem for first layer to occur and has a direct relation to the print nozzle to bed distance; a too short of a distance or over-extrusion can lead to this effect. However, this effect is less commonly observed in top layer finishes.  Bottom layer waves are described in more detail in <a href="/a/7232">this answer</a>.</p>
<h2>Waves in top layer</h2>
<p>I have seen this defect before. It is caused by a <em>combination of incorrect <strong>hotend temperature</strong> and <strong>print cooling fan</strong> settings</em>. Please reduce the hotend temperature and reduce the fan cooling. The image below clearly shows the differences of such measures.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/10XmG.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/10XmG.jpg" alt="Solving waves in top layer of print" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-05T08:26:50.430Z
2019-03-09T06:36:09.103Z
2020-06-18T08:29:41.667Z
0scar
<p>Recently started using my kit Prusa I3 Mk3 and noticed that with large horizontal surfaces a wrinkling pattern is emerging.</p>

<p>As you can see in the image the wrinkles seem to run parallel, the surface is 10&nbsp;mm above the build plate with all bridges fully supported.</p>

<p>Has anyone seen this before? All other areas seem to be doing well.</p>

<p>This print uses PLA filament @ 235&nbsp;&deg;C hotend temperature and clearly shows a wrinkled pattern on the top layer</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/a8luU.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="Print showing wrinkled top layer print issue"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/a8luU.jpg" alt="Print showing wrinkled top layer print issue" title="Print showing wrinkled top layer print issue"></a></p>

<hr>

<p>If it helps, I haven't changed the settings from the normal Prusa Slic3r 0.15 profile.</p>

<p><em>The problem reduced to an acceptable level by reducing the temperature to 205&nbsp;&deg;C but keeping the fan speed 100&nbsp;%, I am printing PLA. I might reduce the fan speed if I feel troubled by the result.</em></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-01T09:26:04.403Z
Hi and welcome to 3D Printing.SE! Please share some print temperature and cooling fan settings, this definitely sounds like a too hot nozzle/too much fan cooling issue.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-01T16:17:14.323Z
how many top layers do you use?
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-04T08:27:42.023Z
Hi Oscar, so your solutions seem to have fixed the issue, thank you very much. The temperature was set at 215 degrees C and I reduced it to 205.
Paul V
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-05T08:24:49.720Z
@PaulV What was the bed temperature and fan rpm setting when you had the defect? And which material are you printing, PLA? Please update the answer by [edit], thanks! With an updated question, it has much more value for other to use as a reference or for troubleshooting.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-08T14:26:13.470Z
3 close votes? Does anyone want to admit to why?
Sean Houlihane
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-09T22:21:20.587Z
@SeanHoulihane it is the custom troubleshooting close afaict, so it might be because of terse information on the actual problem?
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-12T05:37:52.920Z
First try printing a head test tower for your PLA, because I have really good experience by using just 195 to 200°C (also colleges of mine) . How much infill do you use? Did you exactly measure the PLA filament? Did this also happend with other PLA filaments (also from other brands)? Is the nozzle in good shape? Do you use a flow of over 100% for this part of the print?
Horitsu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-13T07:41:37.043Z
Hi, thank you for your comments.
The problem was solved by reducing the temperature to 205deg., I kept the fan speed at 100% as is standard in the Prusa Slic3r settings. :)

Thank you for all your comments and help, but as you might have noticed I marked the answer from Oscar below as the solution.
Paul V
<prusa-i3><troubleshooting>
Prusa i3 Mk3 - Top layer wrinkles (not on buildplate)
Paul V
# Prusa i3 Mk3 - Top layer wrinkles (not on buildplate)

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-03-01)

Recently started using my kit Prusa I3 Mk3 and noticed that with large horizontal surfaces a wrinkling pattern is emerging.

As you can see in the image the wrinkles seem to run parallel, the surface is 10 mm above the build plate with all bridges fully supported.

Has anyone seen this before? All other areas seem to be doing well.

This print uses PLA filament @ 235 °C hotend temperature and clearly shows a wrinkled pattern on the top layer

[![Print showing wrinkled top layer print issue](https://i.sstatic.net/a8luU.jpg "Print showing wrinkled top layer print issue")](https://i.sstatic.net/a8luU.jpg "Print showing wrinkled top layer print issue")

---

If it helps, I haven't changed the settings from the normal Prusa Slic3r 0.15 profile.

*The problem reduced to an acceptable level by reducing the temperature to 205 °C but keeping the fan speed 100 %, I am printing PLA. I might reduce the fan speed if I feel troubled by the result.*

**Tags:** prusa-i3, troubleshooting

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Hi and welcome to 3D Printing.SE! Please share some print temperature and cooling fan settings, this definitely sounds like a too hot nozzle/too much fan cooling issue.  
> **username_2**: how many top layers do you use?  
> **username_0**: Hi Oscar, so your solutions seem to have fixed the issue, thank you very much. The temperature was set at 215 degrees C and I reduced it to 205.  
> **username_1**: @username_0 What was the bed temperature and fan rpm setting when you had the defect? And which material are you printing, PLA? Please update the answer by [edit], thanks! With an updated question, it has much more value for other to use as a reference or for troubleshooting.  
> **username_3**: 3 close votes? Does anyone want to admit to why?  
> **username_2**: @username_3 it is the custom troubleshooting close afaict, so it might be because of terse information on the actual problem?  
> **username_4**: First try printing a head test tower for your PLA, because I have really good experience by using just 195 to 200°C (also colleges of mine) . How much infill do you use? Did you exactly measure the PLA filament? Did this also happend with other PLA filaments (also from other brands)? Is the nozzle in good shape? Do you use a flow of over 100% for this part of the print?  
> **username_0**: Hi, thank you for your comments. The problem was solved by reducing the temperature to 205deg., I kept the fan speed at 100% as is standard in the Prusa Slic3r settings. :)  Thank you for all your comments and help, but as you might have noticed I marked the answer from Oscar below as the solution.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-03-05. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

*Waves in printed surfaces with [FFF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fused_filament_fabrication) are observed at either the bottom layer (common) or the top layer (less common).*

## Waves in bottom layer

Rippling/wave generation/wrinkling is a common problem for first layer to occur and has a direct relation to the print nozzle to bed distance; a too short of a distance or over-extrusion can lead to this effect. However, this effect is less commonly observed in top layer finishes. Bottom layer waves are described in more detail in [this answer](/a/7232).

## Waves in top layer

I have seen this defect before. It is caused by a *combination of incorrect **hotend temperature** and **print cooling fan** settings*. Please reduce the hotend temperature and reduce the fan cooling. The image below clearly shows the differences of such measures.

[![Solving waves in top layer of print](https://i.sstatic.net/10XmG.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/10XmG.jpg)


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2019-03-01. Score: 4

Might just be that you are bridging without collapsing but still have some visible sag. Things to try:

1) increase the support/infil density. If slic3r has a configurable setting like Cura does, you only need to increase the density for the last couple mm prior to the top layer.

2) increase the top plate thickness (number of extruded layers). This often allows the first extruded layer to sag, but the final layer or two to be quite flat.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I usually use 5 top layers and get most often a decent surface, if I need it *really* well, I pack 6.  
> **username_0**: Hi, the infill is 20% and the whole surface is supported (even the bridges) I was able to recreate the problem on a small 30 minute print, reducing the temperature to 205 degrees C seems to help. Now getting into trouble with bed adhesion but the wrinkles on the small test are gone :)  

---

