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Printing PETG: stringing, plate release, cooling and the PETG HF variant

Published October 15, 202626 sources

Short answer

PETG data sheets list a 230–260 °C nozzle and a 60–90 °C bed, depending on brand and plate [5, 8, 9]. It bonds very strongly to smooth PEI, so Prusa and Bambu Lab both tell you to apply glue stick there as a separation layer [1, 3]. Part cooling is a trade-off: more fan helps detail and stringing, less fan helps layer adhesion [1].

Published ranges at a glance

The span of values that makers publish for 16 products (PETG, PCTG) in the filament database, by grade. Every product, with its source, is listed in the full table below the guide.

GradeProductsNozzle °CBed °CDrying °CHDT at 0.45 MPa, °C
PETG12 from 8 brands225–27560–9055–6564–73
PETG-CF4 from 4 brands240–27560–10055–8068.6–96

Temperatures and beds across brands

Unlike PLA, PETG requires a heated bed, according to Prusa [1]. The ranges below come from each maker’s data sheet:

Setting Bambu PETG Basic Bambu PETG HF Prusament PETG Polymaker PETG
Nozzle 230–260 °C 230–260 °C 250 ± 10 °C 240–260 °C
Bed 65–75 °C 65–75 °C 80 ± 10 °C 60–70 °C
Part cooling 0–60% 0–60% 50% 20–60%
Retraction 0.4–0.8 mm 0.8–1.4 mm not published 1–3 mm
Print speed below 200 mm/s below 300 mm/s up to 200 mm/s up to 300 mm/s

Sources: [5, 6, 8, 9].

The Prusa Knowledge Base gives its own starting point: 230 °C for the first layer and 240 °C after, with the bed at 85 °C for the first layer and 90 °C after [1]. Bambu Lab’s plate table lists 60–80 °C for PETG on its Engineering, Smooth PEI and Textured PEI plates, and does not recommend its Cool Plate (PLA Plate) for PETG [4]. The temperature chart compares these values across brands.

Stringing

PETG’s reputation for stringing appears in the manufacturers’ own words. Prusa lists the possibility of stringing as a drawback and says it can be moderated with higher retraction and a lower nozzle temperature [1]. Polymaker’s wiki says PETG is known for being stringy and that removing every string is difficult [10].

The sources point to three levers:

  1. Moisture. For its newer PETG formula, Polymaker says it will barely string if kept dry, and recommends drying at 60 °C for 6 hours when prints get stringy [10]. Popping or cracking sounds during extrusion are its sign that the spool needs drying.
  2. Temperature. Lower nozzle temperature reduces stringing, per Prusa [1].
  3. Retraction. OrcaSlicer’s retraction test prints a tower from 0 to 2 mm in 0.1 mm steps by default, which suits most direct-drive extruders; for Bowden setups it suggests 1–6 mm in 0.2 mm steps [12]. If the top of the tower still strings, OrcaSlicer recommends drying the filament and checking the nozzle for leaks [12].

The retraction calibration and stringing guide cover the procedure in detail.

Plate release: glue as a separation layer

With PETG, the plate problem is usually too much adhesion, not too little. Prusa’s Smooth Steel Sheet article says some filaments, including PETG and TPU, adhere so strongly that removing them can damage the sheet [2]. Its PETG article says not to print on the smooth PEI sheet and, if you do, to apply glue stick first [1]. The Prusament PETG data sheet lists satin and powder-coated sheets as bed types, and the smooth PEI sheet only with a glue stick [8].

Bambu Lab gives the same rule for its Smooth PEI Plate: only PLA prints without glue, and every other filament needs glue to keep the PEI sheet from tearing [3]. Its PETG Basic and PETG HF data sheets list glue as the bed preparation on all plates [5, 6]. The Bambu Cool Plate SuperTack is the exception in that lineup: Bambu Lab designs it for glue-free PLA and PETG printing only [3].

Here the glue’s job is to stop the part from fusing to the plate, not to add grip. If parts do not stick at all, the bed adhesion guide applies instead.

Cooling versus layer strength

PETG cooling is a compromise between appearance and strength. Prusa says cooling keeps the model detailed and reduces stringing and oozing, but that the fan can be turned off when a part must be as tough as possible, because a hotter extrusion merges layers better [1]. Its default is the first few layers without the fan, then half power [1].

Polymaker’s older PolyLite and PolyMax PETG wiki entries warn that too rapid cooling can cost layer adhesion and suggest the fan off or very low [10]. For its newer Polymaker PETG, the wiki says layer adhesion has increased enough to use more fan [10]. The data sheet allows 20–60% [9].

Ambient temperature matters too. Bambu Lab recommends an enclosed printer for PETG so that a cold room does not reduce interlayer strength, but also recommends opening the door or removing the top glass when the bed is above 70 °C, so the chamber does not soften the filament [4].

PETG HF and high-flow PETG

Bambu Lab sells PETG HF as a PETG designed for high-speed printing, with a default print speed twice that of standard PETG and a matte finish that hides gloss changes between speeds [6]. Its data sheet lists a melt index of 28.2 g/10 min at 210 °C and 2.16 kg [6]. The Bambu High Flow Hotend page lists PETG HF at 24 mm³/s on the standard 0.4 mm hotend and 32 mm³/s on the 0.4 mm high-flow hotend [7].

The speed gain has a cost in the published numbers. PETG HF lists heat deflection of 69 °C at 0.45 MPa and 62 °C at 1.80 MPa, against 71 °C and 68 °C for PETG Basic [6, 5]. Bambu Lab also marks PETG HF as requiring drying before use, where standard PETG is only recommended [4].

Heat and post-processing

Prusa describes PETG as suitable for interior and most exterior use at temperatures below 80 °C [1]. Prusament PETG lists heat deflection of 68 °C at both 0.45 and 1.80 MPa [8].

Bambu Lab does not recommend annealing PETG Basic: the property gain is small and parts with complex shapes can deform. If you do anneal, its data sheet suggests 60–70 °C for 6–12 hours [5]. Prusa notes that PETG sands well dry or wet, and that adding perimeters is a better route to solid parts than adding infill [1].

All 16 products in the database

Values as each manufacturer publishes them (PETG, PCTG). Filter by grade or brand, or click a column heading to sort; "not published" sorts last.
Source
Bambu LabPETG BasicPETG230–26065–751.2565 °C, 8 h71 °C @ 0.45 MPa
68 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[5]
Bambu LabPETG HFPETG230–26065–751.2865 °C, 8 h69 °C @ 0.45 MPa
62 °C @ 1.8 MPa		24[6, 7]
Bambu LabPETG-CFPETG-CF240–27065–751.2565 °C, 8 h74 °C @ 0.45 MPa
68 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[13]
ElegooPETG ProPETG230–26065–751.2755–65 °C, 8 h73 °C @ 0.45 MPanot published[14]
ElegooRapid PETGPETG240–27065–751.2955–65 °C, 8 h72 °C @ 0.45 MPanot published[15]
eSUNPETGPETG230–25075–901.27not published64 °C @ 0.45 MPanot published[16]
eSUNPETG-BasicPETG240–27075–901.27not published73 °C @ 0.45 MPanot published[16]
HatchboxPETGPETG230–260not publishednot publishednot publishednot publishednot published[17]
HatchboxRapid PETGPETG225–275not publishednot publishednot publishednot publishednot published[18]
OvertureHigh Speed PETGPETG230–26065–701.3060 °C, 5 hnot publishednot published[19]
PolymakerPETGPETG240–26060–701.3060 °C, 6 h69 °C @ 0.45 MPa
65 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[9]
PolymakerFiberon PETG-rCF08PETG-CF240–27060–701.3065 °C, 3 h68.6 °C @ 0.45 MPa
65.7 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[20]
PrusamentPETGPETG240–26070–901.2755 °C, 6 h68 °C @ 0.45 MPa
68 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[8, 21]
PrusamentPETG Carbon FiberPETG-CF255–27580–1001.2755 °C, 6 h96 °C @ 0.45 MPa
80 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[21, 22]
Siraya TechFibreheart PETG-CF ProPETG-CF250–27070–801.3070–80 °C, 4–6 h75 °C @ 0.45 MPa
69 °C @ 1.8 MPa		25[23, 24]
SunluPETGPETG240–26060–701.2760–65 °C, 6–8 h70 °C @ 0.45 MPanot published[25, 26]

Questions

Can I print PETG on a smooth PEI sheet without glue?

Both Prusa and Bambu Lab advise against it. Prusa says adhesion may be too strong and to apply glue stick if you use the smooth sheet anyway; Bambu Lab says every filament except PLA needs glue on its Smooth PEI Plate to keep the PEI from tearing [1, 3].

Can PLA be used as a support interface for PETG?

Bambu Lab documents this pairing for its own PLA Basic with PETG Basic or PETG HF, using PLA only for the support interface. It says the guide does not apply to third-party PLA or PETG [11].

Is PETG good for outdoor parts?

Prusa describes PETG as suitable for most exterior use with temperatures below 80 °C, and Bambu Lab's PETG Basic data sheet lists resistance to water, UV and temperature [1, 5]. Neither publishes a weathering test.

Sources

  1. PETG. Prusa Knowledge Base. Manufacturer documentation. Temperatures, stringing, cooling vs toughness, smooth PEI warning, glue stick separation layer. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  2. Smooth Steel Sheet. Prusa Knowledge Base. Manufacturer documentation. PETG and TPU can adhere too much and damage the sheet. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  3. Introduction to Bambu Lab Build Plates. Bambu Lab Wiki. Manufacturer documentation. Glue on Smooth PEI for all filaments except PLA; Cool Plate SuperTack for PLA and PETG. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  4. Filament guide: printer, nozzle, AMS, build plate, glue compatibility and required parameters. Bambu Lab Wiki. Manufacturer documentation. PETG plate temperatures, enclosure note on interlayer strength, door advice above 70 °C. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  5. Bambu PETG Basic Technical Data Sheet (V3.0). Bambu Lab. Technical data sheet. Print settings, glue recommendation, HDT, annealing not recommended. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  6. Bambu PETG HF Technical Data Sheet (V1.0). Bambu Lab. Technical data sheet. High-speed PETG settings, melt index, HDT. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  7. Bambu High Flow Hotend (H2/P2S/X2D) product page. Bambu Lab. Product page. Max volumetric speed of PETG HF by hotend. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  8. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet (v1.1, 16-02-2022). Prusa Polymers. Technical data sheet. Nozzle 250 ± 10 °C, bed 80 ± 10 °C, 50% fan, glue stick on smooth PEI. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  9. Polymaker PETG Technical Data Sheet (V3.0). Polymaker. Technical data sheet. Nozzle 240–260 °C, bed 60–70 °C, fan 20–60%, retraction 1–3 mm. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  10. Polymaker Material Print Tips. Polymaker Wiki. Manufacturer documentation. PETG stringing, drying at 60 °C for 6 h, cooling and layer adhesion. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  11. Printing guide for using PLA Basic and PETG HF/PETG Basic for support. Bambu Lab Wiki. Manufacturer documentation. PLA and PETG as mutual support interfaces; scope limited to Bambu filaments. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  12. Retraction test. OrcaSlicer Wiki. Slicer documentation. Retraction tower defaults for direct drive and Bowden. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  13. Bambu PETG-CF Technical Data Sheet (V3.0). Bambu Lab. Technical data sheet. Recommended printing settings, drying, physical, thermal and mechanical properties. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  14. ELEGOO PETG Pro product page: Specifications. ELEGOO. Product page. Specifications section: drying, recommended printing settings, physical properties (density, Vicat, HDT at 0.45 MPa) and X-Y/Z mechanical properties; no test standards named. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  15. ELEGOO Rapid PETG product page: Specifications. ELEGOO. Product page. Specifications section: drying, recommended printing settings, physical properties (density, Vicat, HDT at 0.45 MPa) and X-Y/Z mechanical properties; no test standards named. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  16. Product Comparison. eSUN (official store). Product page. Values appear after choosing a product in the comparison tool: density, HDT at 0.45 MPa, melt flow index, Z tensile strength, X-Y flexural and Izod values, extruder and bed temperature, fan, print speed, build surfaces and printing recommendations; no test standards named. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  17. White PETG Filament - 1.75mm, 1kg Spool. HATCHBOX. Product page. Print temperature 230–260 °C; no heated bed required. Page text read via the store's public /products/<handle>.js endpoint; the HTML page returns 403 to automated requests. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  18. Black Rapid PETG Filament - 1.75mm, 1kg Spool. HATCHBOX. Product page. Print temperature 225–275 °C; print speeds up to 400 mm/s. Page text read via the store's public /products/<handle>.js endpoint; the HTML page returns 403 to automated requests. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  19. OVERTURE PETG Technical Data Sheet (Version 5.2, Dec 2025). Overture 3D. Technical data sheet. Recommended printing conditions including drying, physical properties and X-Y/Z mechanical properties of printed specimens; linked from the High Speed PETG page. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  20. Fiberon PETG-rCF08 Technical Data Sheet (V1.0). Polymaker. Technical data sheet. Physical, thermal and mechanical properties of printed specimens; recommended printing conditions incl. drying. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  21. Drying filament. Prusa Knowledge Base. Manufacturer documentation. Drying temperature and time table for Prusament materials; spool temperature limits. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  22. Prusament PETG Carbon Fiber Black Technical Datasheet (v1.0, 20-12-2022). Prusa Polymers. Technical data sheet. ZIP archive linked as the tech sheet on prusament.com; English PDF. Recommended print settings, typical material properties and mechanical properties of printed test specimens. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  23. Fibreheart PETG-CF Pro TDS. Siraya Tech. Technical data sheet. Print settings, drying, property data with test methods. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  24. Fibreheart PETG-CF Pro Filament (product page). Siraya Tech. Product page. Flow rate up to 25 mm³/s; HDT 76 °C claim; product specifications. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  25. SUNLU PETG Technical Data Sheet (SL-TE-WI-074, version A/1, Chinese/English). SUNLU. Technical data sheet. Recommended printing parameters with drying temperature; ISO 75 HDT at 0.45 MPa, ISO 306 Vicat, ISO 1183 density and ISO 527-2 X-Y tensile results from printed specimens. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  26. Material Performance Comparison. SUNLU Wiki. Manufacturer documentation. Detailed specification table for the SUNLU line, including drying temperature and drying time per product. Accessed October 12, 2026.