<p>The primary objective of a slower print speed for the first one to two layers is to ensure a bonding to the build plate. Print quality is not likely to improve at speeds slower than the stick/no-stick speed. For a given brand and color of filament, there will be a binary assessment. &quot;This speed sticks to the bed&quot; versus &quot;this speed doesn't stick to the bed.&quot;</p>
<p>If there are quality variations in the print at different speeds, there may be other factors involved, such as extrusion rate, retraction distance, z-hop, etc.</p>
<p>It's difficult to consider a diminishing returns reference, as it's going to be &quot;it works&quot; or &quot;it doesn't work.&quot; The increase in print time for going slower isn't going to contain much value in this situation.</p>
<p>To determine a specific speed requires experimentation. The default for your particular slicer in use is the starting point. One can increase the first layer speed by 5 mm / second and run a test. Examine the results for quality and adhesion. Increase by five for each succeeding test until the results become unacceptable.</p>
<p>Note that different plastics will have different speeds. I've not experimented with changing the default speeds except for TPU, which requires slower speeds.</p>
<p>You may discover that you can get away with much higher speeds than the default with one particular filament brand and color, but changing brand or color may change the results.</p>
<p>To address your comment, the two sections of your question appear to be opposites, but for both, only experimentation will find the specific range (not exact speed) you seek.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-07-17T14:14:34.493Z
As per the original question, at what speed do you cease to get better adhesion, when does going slower not produce better adhesion?
Aaargh Zombies
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-07-17T14:53:21.920Z
Edit added to address comment.
fred_dot_u
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-12-15T02:12:02.247Z
I don't think it's quite as simple as this. There is a hidden continuously varying variable: the *probability* that a given layer-zero extrusion adheres to the bed, which also varies with geometry, size of the region, etc. It's very possible to have a first-layer speed that works fine for most prints, but gives you one or two dragon-body-segments failing to stick when you try to print an articulated print-in-place dragon, for example.
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-07-17T13:44:26.367Z
2022-07-17T14:53:10.807Z
2022-07-17T14:53:10.807Z
fred_dot_u
<p>When printing the bottom\initial layers on an FDM printer using PLA, how slow can you go before hitting diminishing returns (the speed at which you gain no additional advantages in terms of print quality or adhesion).</p>
<p>I'm using an Ender 5 with stock firmware and no modifications. 0.4mm nozzle.</p>

<fdm><speed>
Bottom layer print speed - When do you reach diminishing returns?
Aaargh Zombies
# Bottom layer print speed - When do you reach diminishing returns?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-07-17)

When printing the bottom\initial layers on an FDM printer using PLA, how slow can you go before hitting diminishing returns (the speed at which you gain no additional advantages in terms of print quality or adhesion).

I'm using an Ender 5 with stock firmware and no modifications. 0.4mm nozzle.

**Tags:** fdm, speed


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-07-17. Score: 2

The primary objective of a slower print speed for the first one to two layers is to ensure a bonding to the build plate. Print quality is not likely to improve at speeds slower than the stick/no-stick speed. For a given brand and color of filament, there will be a binary assessment. "This speed sticks to the bed" versus "this speed doesn't stick to the bed."

If there are quality variations in the print at different speeds, there may be other factors involved, such as extrusion rate, retraction distance, z-hop, etc.

It's difficult to consider a diminishing returns reference, as it's going to be "it works" or "it doesn't work." The increase in print time for going slower isn't going to contain much value in this situation.

To determine a specific speed requires experimentation. The default for your particular slicer in use is the starting point. One can increase the first layer speed by 5 mm / second and run a test. Examine the results for quality and adhesion. Increase by five for each succeeding test until the results become unacceptable.

Note that different plastics will have different speeds. I've not experimented with changing the default speeds except for TPU, which requires slower speeds.

You may discover that you can get away with much higher speeds than the default with one particular filament brand and color, but changing brand or color may change the results.

To address your comment, the two sections of your question appear to be opposites, but for both, only experimentation will find the specific range (not exact speed) you seek.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: As per the original question, at what speed do you cease to get better adhesion, when does going slower not produce better adhesion?  
> **username_1**: Edit added to address comment.  
> **username_2**: I don't think it's quite as simple as this. There is a hidden continuously varying variable: the *probability* that a given layer-zero extrusion adheres to the bed, which also varies with geometry, size of the region, etc. It's very possible to have a first-layer speed that works fine for most prints, but gives you one or two dragon-body-segments failing to stick when you try to print an articulated print-in-place dragon, for example.  

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