3D print speed: why not everything can be sped up
Print speed is the speed at which the nozzle moves while laying plastic, given in mm/s. Higher speed shortens the print, but it is limited by surface quality and by how much plastic the nozzle can melt.
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There is not just one speed
A slicer sets the speed separately for outer walls, inner walls, infill, top surfaces, overhangs and the first layer. Outer walls print more slowly so the surface is clean, and infill quickly because it is not seen. An example of the settings is shown in the OrcaSlicer wiki.
The average speed of a part is therefore lower than the highest the printer can manage, and the real time always comes from acceleration and slowing down in corners, not from the figure entered.
What limits speed
- Plastic flow. The nozzle can melt only a certain amount of plastic per second. At a higher speed and a thicker layer that is not enough and under-extrusion appears. See the volumetric flow limit.
- Cooling. Faster layers have less time to set, which makes overhangs and small details worse.
- Vibration. At high speeds ghosting appears on the edges of the part if the printer does not suppress it.
- Material. PETG is usually printed more slowly than PLA.
Speed and print time
Print time comes from the length of all the nozzle paths, their speed and how many times the layer, colour or direction has to change. Doubling the speed therefore does not halve the time. A thinner layer means more layers, so printing takes longer.
Speed and surface quality. The outer walls and the first layer print slowest, because any flaw shows there. Infill, which is hidden once finished, can be printed quickly. That is why changing the strength from 10% to 40% lengthens the print more than changing the wall speed would. Acceleration and the printer's motion system also affect how quickly it can stop, see ghosting.
Speed in your order
We choose the speeds, and you do not set them in the calculator. After you upload a model we really do prepare it for printing, and from the real print time and the number of pieces on the plate we work out the price per piece and the delivery date. The infill strength (10, 15 or 40%) changes the time: higher strength means longer printing and a higher price.
Common questions
Can I pay extra for faster printing?
Not in the calculator. The delivery date is worked out from the capacity of our printers and from the real print time of your model.
Why is the delivery date longer than I expected?
Print time is not worked out from volume but from the prepared print. Many layers, fine details, colours and a large number of pieces all lengthen it.
Does a high speed worsen quality?
Yes, at very high speeds corners, overhangs and details get worse. That is why the outer walls print more slowly.
Related terms
Layer height
Layer height is the thickness of a single layer, from which the printer builds the part from the bottom up. It affects how visible the layers are on the surface and how long printing takes.
Flow
Flow is the amount of plastic the nozzle actually extrudes compared with what the slicer calculated. It is tuned with a ratio, for example 0.98, and affects both dimensions and surface.
Cooling
Cooling in 3D printing is a stream of air from the fans on the print head that quickly sets freshly laid plastic. It improves overhangs and detail, but too much of it weakens the bond between layers.
Under-extrusion
Under-extrusion is a 3D printing flaw where less plastic comes out of the nozzle than the slicer calculated, so lines are thin and gappy and the part is weaker.
Ghosting (ringing)
Ghosting is a 3D printing flaw where faint ripples, like an echo of the shape, appear behind sharp edges and corners, caused by printer vibration after a sudden change of direction.
Lead time
Lead time is the time from order to delivery of the goods. For 3D printing it consists of waiting for a free printer, the print itself, inspection and shipping.
SourcesSources checked 1 November 2026, 2
- Other layers speed, OrcaSlicer wiki, checked 2026-11-01
- Volumetric speed limitation, OrcaSlicer wiki, checked 2026-11-01
We will print it for you
Upload a model and see the price per piece, the total with shipping and the date at once. We print in Košice, Slovakia, from PLA and PETG.
No model? No problem, pick a ready one
These sites have thousands of free models. Download an STL or 3MF and upload it here. If you sell it or use it for business, check the model licence. How to pick a model and licence