The first layer sets the foundation for your entire print. If it doesn’t go down smoothly, every layer after will suffer. A poor first layer can cause weak adhesion, uneven surfaces, or complete print failure. This is one of the most common, and most important, issues to solve in FDM printing.
Symptoms:
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First layer uneven or missing sections.
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Poor adhesion to the bed.
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Lines not merging together.
Causes:
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Bed not level.
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Incorrect Z-offset.
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Bed temperature too low.
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Dirty or greasy build surface.
Troubleshooting Steps:
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Re-level the bed using feeler gauge/paper test.
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Adjust Z-offset for proper squish.
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Clean build surface with IPA.
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Increase bed temperature slightly.
Prevention Tips:
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Always check first layer before leaving print unattended.
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Use adhesives (glue stick, Magigoo) for difficult materials.
