The Knowledge Base

Master your Prints

So, you've decided to print tiny plastic people with your complex piece of manufacturing equipment — excellent choice.

This is the go-to page for every beginner and mid-level printer who wants to level up their FDM miniatures. Everything you need, in one place.

Troubleshooting Guide

This guide helps you identify and fix common issues that arise when printing highly detailed miniatures.

Missing or blurry details

Symptoms: The miniature appears 'soft' or lacks sharp edges and fine textures.

Nozzle size is too large. Use a smaller nozzle (e.g., 0.2mm) for finer details.

Layer height is too high. Lower the layer height (e.g., 0.04mm, 0.06mm) for more details.

Print temperature is too high. Decrease the hotend temperature slightly (increments of 5°C). Especially for filaments like SUNLU PLA Meta.

Stringing or fine hairs

Symptoms: Thin 'hairs' or strings appear between parts of the miniature.

Retraction settings are incorrect. Increase retraction distance or speed. Experiment to find the optimal setting for your filament.

Print temperature is too high. Lower the temperature slightly to reduce filament oozing.

Travel speed is too low. Increase the travel speed to minimize nozzle time between sections.

Overhangs or fine features drooping

Symptoms: Overhanging parts or fine details sag or collapse during printing.

Insufficient cooling. Increase fan speed or add a dedicated cooling fan.

Print speed is too high. Reduce print speed for overhangs and fine details.

Overhang angle is too steep. Add supports for overhangs exceeding 45°.

Elephant foot (Bottom layer bulging)

Symptoms: The bottom layers of the miniature appear wider than the rest.

Print bed temperature is too high. Lower the bed temperature slightly.

First layer squish is too high. Adjust the Z-offset to create a more even first layer.

Layer shifts or misalignment

Symptoms: The layers do not align properly, creating a 'stepped' effect.

Loose belts or pulleys. Check and tighten belts and pulleys on your printer.

Print speed is too high. Lower the overall print speed.

Printer frame is unstable. Ensure the printer is placed on a stable, level surface.

Surface imperfections (Bumps, zits, roughness)

Symptoms: The surface has visible bumps, rough spots, or uneven layers.

Inconsistent extrusion. Calibrate the extruder steps (E-steps) and check for clogs in the nozzle.

Filament quality issues. Use high-quality filament and store it in a dry environment.

Retract settings causing blobs. Fine-tune retraction and coasting settings.

Curling problems

Symptoms: The nozzle keeps hitting the miniature, causing printing errors and bulging — especially for supportless models.

Insufficient cooling or overheating. Increase cooling, lower temperature, or reduce speed on small layers.

General tips & tricks

Use supports wisely: avoid excessive supports to preserve details, but ensure overhangs are properly supported. Check for supportless models.

Calibrate your printer: regularly check E-steps, bed leveling, and temperature settings. Use auto-calibration if available.

Print in separate parts: if you can't print for 30 hours straight, want to paint separately, or need to re-orient pieces, slice your miniatures in Blender.

Clean your heated bed: use dish soap and sponge. The cleaner, the better adhesion.

Use glue on heated bed: if your miniature or supports have bad adhesion, use gel or stick glue on your plate.

Model clay / Green stuff: if you printed for a day, don't throw your miniature away — it may be salvageable! Patch errors and coat with primer.