Your First 3D Print: What to Expect and How to Succeed

Your first print will probably fail. That's fine. Here's how to set yourself up for success and learn from the inevitable setbacks.

What to Print First Resist the urge to print something complex. Start with calibration objects:

XYZ Calibration Cube: A 20mm cube that tests dimensional accuracy. Print time: 30-45 minutes. If it measures 20mm on each side, your printer is well-calibrated. Digital calipers make measurement accurate. *(Price when reviewed: ~£12 | Check price)*

Benchy: The 3D printing benchmark. A small boat that tests overhangs, bridges, stringing, and details. Print time: 1-2 hours. Every problem leaves visible evidence.

Your printer probably includes a test file. Print that first. It's designed to work with default settings.

Pre-Print Checklist Before hitting print: - Bed clean? Wipe with IPA if in doubt - Bed levelled recently? Check if unsure - Filament loaded and feeding smoothly? - Slicer settings appropriate? (Use defaults initially) - File transferred to printer? (SD card or network)

Watching Your First Print Stay present for at least the first 10-15 minutes.

First layer: Watch the entire first layer complete. This is when most failures happen. If it's not sticking, stop and fix levelling.

Second layer: Verify it's building correctly on top of the first. Separation here indicates temperature or adhesion issues.

Once printing looks stable after 5-10 layers, you can check less frequently.

Common First Print Problems Nothing sticks: Bed too far from nozzle, bed not clean, bed temp too low Spaghetti mess: Print detached and nozzle kept going. Fix adhesion. Warping corners: Bed too cool, room too drafty, or bed not level Stringing between parts: Retraction settings need tuning (but ignore on first print) Rough first layer: Z-offset wrong, adjust and try again

When to Stop a Print Stop immediately if: - Print has clearly detached from the bed - Filament stops feeding (grinding sounds) - Something looks catastrophically wrong

Let it finish if: - Minor quality issues you want to diagnose - You're learning what the result of a setting looks like

Failed prints teach more than successful ones. Don't view them as wasted filament.

Interpreting Results After your first print, examine it:

Dimensions: Measure with calipers if available. Off by more than 0.5mm suggests calibration issues. Layer lines: Visible but regular is normal. Irregular or shifting indicates mechanical problems. Overhangs: Some droop is normal up to 45°. Severe droop suggests cooling issues. Strings: Minor stringing is normal. Excessive stringing needs retraction tuning.

What's Next First print succeeded? Print something you actually want. Start with [Amazon Basics PLA](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D6XYDBMG?tag=3dprinteradvice-21&ascsubtag=first-3d-print-guide) (around £13/kg) for learning without expensive waste. First print failed? Troubleshoot the specific problem. Our bed levelling guide helps with adhesion issues.

Keep your first print. In a month, compare it to your latest. The improvement will be obvious.

The Real Lesson Your first print is data, not a masterpiece. Success teaches you your settings work. Failure teaches you what to change. Both are valuable. The goal isn't a perfect first print. It's learning your printer.