15/10/2026
3D printing tip: Understanding layer height and when to change it.
Layer height is one of the most useful settings in your slicer — and changing it can have a big impact on print time and surface quality.
Here's a simple starting point:
🔹 0.08–0.12 mm — Fine detail�Great for miniatures, small detailed models and display pieces. Lower layer heights can produce smoother surfaces and better Z-axis detail, but they'll increase print time.
🔹 0.2 mm — General purpose�A great starting point for everyday printing, especially with a typical 0.4 mm nozzle. It offers a good balance between print quality and speed.
🔹 0.28–0.32 mm+ — Speed and larger parts�Useful for larger models where fine surface detail isn't as important. Fewer layers mean shorter print times, although layer lines will be more visible.
💡 Want the best of both worlds? Try variable layer height.�Modern slicers can automatically use thinner layers where your model has curves or fine detail, and thicker layers on simpler sections. This can give you better detail where it matters while keeping the overall print time down.
💡 One important point: layer height isn't the only thing that determines strength.
Wall count, infill, material, temperature, layer adhesion and print orientation can all have a big impact.
Changing layer height to suit what you're printing is one of the easiest ways to balance quality, strength and print time — without changing your hardware.
