ABS Print Settings: Temperature, Enclosure and Cooling

ABS is a strong, heat-resistant filament that is harder to print than PLA or PETG. Prusa recommends a nozzle at 255 degrees C and a bed at 100 degrees C (80 to 110 depending on part size), inside an enclosure. Polymaker's PolyLite ABS lists 245 to 265 degrees C, a bed of 90 to 100 degrees C and the part cooling fan off. The main problems are warping, shrinkage and fumes, and most of the settings below exist to manage those three. New to the material? Read what ABS filament is.

This is a research article based on manufacturer documentation (sources below), not on our own printing. All numbers are starting points.

ABS print settings at a glance

Why ABS needs an enclosure

Prusa lists significant warping as one of ABS's main disadvantages and says an enclosure is required. It recommends heating the bed to at least 100 degrees C and keeping the printer inside an enclosure with a higher ambient temperature. Polymaker says the same: use an enclosure, avoid drafts, and maintain the recommended bed temperature to reduce warping and layer separation. Bambu Lab's ABS page labels the filament as needing enclosure printers.

If you do not have an enclosure, Prusa offers one simple alternative: turn on the draft shield under skirt and brim in PrusaSlicer. It keeps the model slightly warmer and reduces warping, but it is a mitigation, not a replacement for an enclosure. For a broader comparison, see enclosed vs open-frame printers.

Prusa also notes that printing inside an enclosure can deform the fan shroud and other plastic parts of the printer. If that happens, it suggests printing those parts in a more heat-resistant material such as its polycarbonate blend. To decide whether to buy an enclosure at all, read our 3D printer enclosure guide.

Nozzle temperature

Start around the middle of the range: about 255 degrees C matches Prusa's figure and sits inside Polymaker's 245 to 265 window. A hotter nozzle improves layer bonding, which matters because ABS parts can split along layers. Too hot increases stringing and fumes. Adjust in steps of about 5 degrees C.

Bed temperature and adhesion

Prusa recommends 100 degrees C and suggests lowering the temperature toward 80 for small objects and raising it toward 110 for larger ones. It advises a smooth or powder-coated PEI sheet with a glue stick. A Prusa staff reply in the comments on that page suggests a PVA glue stick as the release agent, because ABS can bond strongly to PEI. Let the bed cool before removing the part. If the first layer is the problem, see fixing a bad first layer.

Cooling and drafts

Polymaker lists the part cooling fan as off for its ABS, because rapid cooling is what drives warping and layer splits. Bambu Lab's ABS notes advise lower print speed and a higher bed temperature to avoid warping on large or dense models. Prusa also cautions that while you should ventilate the room, you must not create a draft around the print.

Speed and part design

Polymaker suggests 30 to 50 mm/s. Bambu Lab says ABS is prone to warping on large, high infill models and suggests avoiding both. Rounding corners in your design and reducing the footprint in contact with the bed are general ways to limit warping (this is common practice, not a specific maker figure).

Shrinkage

Prusa says ABS parts shrink slightly after cooling, usually 1% to 2%. It recommends printing a test object and comparing it with the source model before printing parts that must fit together.

Fumes and ventilation

Drying and storage

ABS also absorbs moisture. Polymaker lists 70 degrees C for 6 hours if the filament has taken on water, and Bambu Lab lists 75 to 85 degrees C for 8 hours in a forced-air oven for ABS and ASA. Dry temperatures vary by maker, so use the one on your spool. See how to dry filament and how to store filament. Also see how to choose a filament dryer, because several compact dryers do not reach ABS temperatures.

ABS compared with PETG and PLA

Prusa describes ABS as tenacious and high-temperature resistant, with easy post-processing and the option of acetone smoothing and gluing. It also notes ABS lacks the UV resistance of ASA and turns yellowish and more brittle outdoors. Compared with PETG and PLA, it is harder to print, hotter and smellier, so choose it when you need the heat resistance. The wider comparison is in types of 3D printer filament.