About

First Layer Lab is an independent site about desktop 3D printing. We publish practical guides on printers, filament and materials, slicer settings, fixing failed prints and projects worth making, written for people who print at home.

What we cover

• Printers: how FDM and resin printers work, what the specs mean and how models differ.
• Materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, resin and specialty filaments, with the settings each one needs.
• Software: free CAD programs, slicers and the settings that change quality, strength and speed.
• Troubleshooting: why prints fail and how to fix stringing, warping, adhesion problems and clogs.
• Projects and costs: useful things to print, what a print really costs and how to price your work.

How we write

Every guide is researched against primary sources: manufacturer documentation and technical data sheets, slicer documentation, safety data sheets and published research. Numbers such as temperatures, speeds, dimensions and costs are either sourced or clearly marked as estimates, and each guide lists its sources at the end.

We do not claim hands-on testing unless we have done it. We check which questions people actually ask about a topic and answer them directly, without filler.

Corrections and updates

Printers, firmware and materials change quickly. We review guides and show the date of the latest update at the top of each article. If you spot an error, tell us and we will check it and fix it.

Independence

We are not owned by, or paid by, any printer, filament or software company. The site is funded by display ads, which never decide what we write. See our advertising disclosure.