How to Fix Stringy and Messy TPU 3D Prints

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

Answer: Stringy, messy prints with TPU often result from incorrect retraction settings and print temperature. TPU is flexible and prone to oozing, so first, reduce your print temperature by 5-10°C; typical TPU prints well around 210-230°C. Next, adjust retraction: lower the retraction distance to about 1-2 mm and slow down the retraction speed to prevent filament grinding. Also, slow your print speed to around 20-30 mm/s to give the filament time to deposit properly. Ensure your nozzle is clean and that the filament path is smooth to avoid extra pressure. Finally, check travel moves—enable combing or avoid crossing open spaces to reduce stringing. If your slicer supports it, enable coasting or wipe settings to limit oozing. By tweaking these settings step-by-step, you should see a significant improvement in print quality with TPU.