How to Fix Stringy and Messy TPU 3D Prints

Question: Why is my TPU 3D print stringy and messy?

Answer: Stringy and messy prints with TPU usually result from incorrect retraction settings, printing temperature, or print speed. TPU is flexible and prone to oozing, so first, reduce your print temperature by 5-10°C to see if that helps. Typical TPU prints well around 210-230°C, but check your filament specs. Next, adjust retraction: increase retraction distance slightly and slow down retraction speed to prevent filament from stretching inside the nozzle. Also, slow down your print speed to around 20-30 mm/s to give the filament time to extrude cleanly. Lastly, enable combing or coasting features in your slicer to reduce travel moves where stringing happens. Cleaning your nozzle before printing can also help. Try these steps one at a time to identify what improves your print quality.