Initial Layer Flow Ratio - Calibration Test by Sdot PrintsMakerWorld: Download Free 3D Models

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Print Profile(4)

All

P1S

P1P

X1 Carbon

X1E

A1 mini

H2D

0.4mm NOZZLE

Designer

18 min

1 plate

4.9(36)

0.2mm NOZZLE

Designer

28 min

1 plate

5.0(4)

0.6mm NOZZLE

Designer

20 min

1 plate

4.8(4)

0.8mm NOZZLE

Designer

21 min

1 plate

Open in Bambu Studio

Boost

240

636

642

374

Released

Description

This is a series of print profiles to test your 1st layer flow ratio if you are having issues with a low quality 1st layer. There is a profile for 0.2mm, 0.4mm, 0.6mm, and 0.8mm nozzle sizes. Be sure to use the correct print profile for the nozzle size you are using.

When I first bought the Smooth PEI plate from Bambu, I was getting a terrible 1st layer, but this can be useful for any plate type. It was bumby and bubbly and was way worse with a 0.2mm nozzle (see the attached photos for examples from various people with the same issue). It took me a decent amount of research to figure out the problem. I found the ability to modify the “Initial layer flow ratio” through the “Develop Mode” settings in Bambu Studio. Changing this value will ratio the extrusion rate for the 1st layer in the print only. So, assuming your filament is calibrated properly, this gives you a perfect 1st layer so you have a great print from the bottom to the top. Be sure your plate is clean and you have no other issues going on.

Once you print the correct profile on your selected plate type, pick the piece that has the smoothest center but also doesn't have split lines in the print. You should gently peel up the pieces you think are close and hold them up to a light. You can see in my photos attached, the 0.65 is severely under-extruded, the 1.20 is severely over-extruded, and the 0.90 is smooth and glossy in the middle. If you are unsure between two of them, it is better to pick the one with a slightly higher number to ensure you don't have under-extrusion. Now, whenever you print with that nozzle size on that plate, be sure to adjust the “Initial layer flow ratio” in the settings to make sure you get an excellent 1st layer.

I found a few models online, but I didn't really like any of them and I wanted to offer different nozzle sizes and also label the printed pieces for ease of identification after you peel it up.

Here are some easy-to-follow instructions.

Navigate to the preferences in Bambu Studio, scroll to the bottom, and check “Develop mode”

Now you will have access to the “Initial layer flow ratio” setting in Bambu Studio

Print the profile for the nozzle size you are using - each printed piece corresponds to a different “Initial layer flow ratio” setting

IGNORE THE EDGES OF THE PRINTED CIRCLES - PAY ATTENTION TO THE CENTER OF THE CIRCLES

Comment & Rating (67)

@user_3142280385

Having a bad first layer with black PLA and a .2 nozzle, so I tried the test. All of the little balls show kinda the same issue except 0.85, so I'm going to try that to see if it's any better. But I thought that I'd see a progression of bad to better to bad in the different amounts...instead of all bad and then one "good" one. I've also seen that the extruder clicks during this first layer pretty loudly...almost like it's trying to extrude harder than it can until it gives up/clicks back. When it clicks, I can see that the layer line dissipates to nothing...so the click means it has stopped extruding. Hopefully this is all one and the same problem? Again, just a first layer issue.

The designer has replied

@thesdotcarter

do you think you have a partial nozzle clog or something blocking the extruder? you might have a piece of trash in the extruder gears. maybe try looking because you should definitely see variation in the plaques. here's my 0.2mm nozzle test. and if there's nothing in the extruder gears, try doing a cold pull on the nozzle.

(Edited)

@mixermachine

Replying to @thesdotcarter :

100% agree. Additionally your Z offset might be rather low (please check) or your nozzle not 100% heated up. Extruder clicks always indicate a problem. Do you get them also in higher layers? What temperatures are you running for first and following layers?

@user_3142280385

I'll have to check when I get home, but I would say that the settings are the defaults for Overture PLA. And I agree it seems and sounds like an everywhere l extruder issue...BUT, all the other layers after the first are fine, and there is no more clicking. so I don't see how it could be a clog, when it's sure to be extruding faster on the other levels. also, I've been switching prints between the .2 and .4 nozzles, and there've been no issues at all with the .4, just the .2. So... probably not the extruder?

@mixermachine

Thanks, my Ender 3 V3 KE would always produce rather rough first layers with PETG. Turns out I can pull down the flow rate for the first layer quite a lot.

The designer has replied

@thesdotcarter

great! which one ended up best for that filament?

@mixermachine

Replying to @thesdotcarter :

The upper left one (0.65) shows the best pattern. I used transparent filament (which is not the best for this test). I can reduce the flow even a bit further but for larger builds the stronger bed adhesion might be needed. I use a bed slinger after all. Further tests on my side are needed.

@ZenithUK

Print Profile

0.4mm NOZZLE

I've been having trouble with poor adhesion on my SuperTack plate. I knew ILFR was a factor but this helps pin down the value quickly. Thank you!

The profile uploader has replied

@thesdotcarter

I'm glad it helped you!

@Narvath

Boosted

ayy thanks you very much, now I just need to figure out why only my first layer needs a -10% flow rate...

The designer has replied

@thesdotcarter

depending on the plate smoothness, there is more or less void space for the filament to go. so a textured plate would need a higher flow ratio and smooth plates need lower flow ratio on the first layer.

@Narvath

Boosted

Replying to @thesdotcarter :

Sure thing! But there's a "but" only my yellow filament in 0.2mm suffers from this. And the proper plate is selected. I'll have to get to the bottom of it someday, but for now your test was very helpful, thank you!

@da_hap

Replying to @thesdotcarter :

so we need to run this test for each of our plates ?

@Ace_Jarl

Boosted

this eliminated the source of my frustration, thank you.

The designer has replied

@thesdotcarter

excellent!!

@Narvath

Boosted

More usefull than flow calibration when using a .2mm nozzle, kudos

The designer has replied

@thesdotcarter

I'm glad it helped!

@Nablaa

Nice Big ´Thx

The designer has replied

@thesdotcarter

I hope it helped!

@the_red_die

Boosted

Very helpful

The designer has replied

@thesdotcarter

I'm glad!

@CFPUP2025

Print Profile

0.4mm NOZZLE

handy print

@MakeronFabus

Print Profile

0.4mm NOZZLE

It was very helpful for me to understand Thank you

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