Fix first layer quality: gaps, ridges and poor adhesion
Read the first layer before changing temperatures. Separate plate preparation, nozzle height and extrusion problems.
Read the pattern
Separate lines and rounded tracks suggest too little contact or extrusion; ridges and scraped tracks suggest too much squish or excess flow. A defect limited to one area suggests a plate or leveling problem. Treat these as clues, not a diagnosis from appearance alone.
Reset the plate and leveling
Use the plate maker’s cleaning method and correct sheet profile. Seat the plate fully and remove debris beneath it. Clean the nozzle before probing. Run the printer’s leveling routine; use a manual Z adjustment only if that model’s instructions call for it.
Change the smallest useful setting
After preparation, compare first-layer speed and plate-specific temperature within approved ranges. Do not compensate for a dirty plate with ever more heat or glue. Some material and sheet combinations require a release layer to prevent damage.
Sources & further reading
This is our troubleshooting sequence, informed by the sources below. Community outcomes belong to their authors and have not been independently reproduced.