Stringing happens when molten filament oozes from the nozzle while the toolhead travels between print islands. It leaves thin, hair-like plastic threads (spiderwebs) across your model.
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| material | direct | bowden | temp | wipe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA / PLA+ | 0.6 – 0.8 mm @ 35 mm/s | 4.0 – 6.0 mm @ 45 mm/s | 195°C – 210°C | 0.4 mm |
| PETG | 0.8 – 1.2 mm @ 30 mm/s | 5.5 – 7.0 mm @ 40 mm/s | 230°C – 245°C | 1.0 mm (Crucial) |
| TPU (95A Flexible) | 0.4 – 0.8 mm @ 20 mm/s | Disabled or 1.5mm max | 215°C – 225°C | Disabled |
| ABS / ASA | 0.6 – 1.0 mm @ 40 mm/s | 4.5 – 5.5 mm @ 45 mm/s | 240°C – 255°C | 0.6 mm |
Overheated filament has ultra-low viscosity and drips freely from the nozzle during non-print travel moves. Drop hotend temperature in 5°C increments.
In OrcaSlicer or Bambu Studio, run the built-in Retraction Calibration tower. Direct drive toolheads typically require 0.6–1.0mm at 30–40mm/s; Bowden tubes need 4.0–6.5mm at 45mm/s.
Wiping pulls the nozzle back over the printed infill or outer wall before leaping across open space, shearing off any hanging bead of plastic.
Moisture trapped in hygroscopic filament boils into steam bubbles inside the melt zone, creating explosive pressure that pushes molten plastic out regardless of retraction.
PETG is notorious for nozzle buildup and high thermal expansion. Ensure your filament has been dried at 65°C for 6+ hours, reduce printing temperature to 235°C–240°C, and enable Wipe on Retraction (1.0mm) in OrcaSlicer / Bambu Studio.
For direct drive extruders (Bambu, Prusa MK4, Ender 3 V3), use 30 to 40 mm/s. For Bowden setups (older Ender 3, Anycubic Kobra 1), use 40 to 50 mm/s. Going faster than 50 mm/s often grinds the filament.
Quick-reference card with exact speed, flow rate, volumetric limits, and temperatures for OrcaSlicer, Bambu Studio, and Cura.
