What Is Layer Height and How Does It Affect Print Quality?

Layer height is the thickness of each plastic layer the printer deposits in a single pass, and it is the most fundamental parameter that determines print quality. On desktop FDM printers it is typically set between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.

A fine layer (0.1–0.15 mm) produces a smoother surface and sharper detail but significantly increases print time. A thick layer (0.25–0.3 mm) is faster but makes the layer lines noticeably visible. For most functional parts, 0.2 mm is the ideal balance.

A practical rule of thumb: choose a fine layer height for visual or decorative parts, and a medium-to-thick layer height for parts that require mechanical strength. If you specify the purpose of your part in our order form, we will select the most suitable setting for you.