Stop Losing Prints: A Beginner's Guide to 3D Printing (Patreon)

Hello makers! 🤗

Ever started a plate full of keycaps, only to find loose pieces and a tangled mess of filament halfway through?

A good print starts with a good grip. If your parts are lifting or coming loose, these three tips can help improve bed adhesion—and save you time, filament, and frustration!

1. Start with a Clean Build Plate 🧽

One common cause of poor adhesion is oil and residue on the printing surface. Even touching the plate while removing prints can leave fingerprints that affect your next batch.

For plates that support washing with dish soap and water, follow these steps:

Let the plate cool, then remove it from the printer.

Wash it with warm water and a small amount of plain dishwashing liquid. Avoid soaps containing lotions or moisturizers.

Gently clean the surface with a dedicated, non-abrasive sponge. Don’t use your kitchen sponge—it may transfer grease or food residue.

Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap.

Dry completely with a fresh, clean, dedicated lint-free towel, or a clean paper towel. Avoid used household towels that may carry oils, dirt, or cleaning-product residue.

Handle the clean plate by its edges.

Bambu Lab recommends dishwashing detergent, a sponge, warm water, and paper-towel drying for its Textured PEI Plate.

For quick cleaning between prints, consider 99% IPA (isopropyl alcohol) and a clean, dedicated microfiber cloth—but only if your plate manufacturer permits alcohol on that exact surface. Specialty coatings can have different care requirements.

If adhesion remains poor, give the plate a proper wash rather than repeatedly wiping it.

2. Try Glue—Where Your Plate Allows It ✨

Small parts such as keycaps have limited contact with the build plate. Depending on your plate, filament, and the condition of the surface, a suitable adhesive may help.

Glue Stick

Start with a freshly washed, completely dry plate:

Apply a thin, even layer across the printing area.

Avoid thick patches or lumps.

Let it dry before printing, following the adhesive’s instructions.

Wash away buildup before applying a fresh layer.

Bambu Lab offers its own Glue Stick for Build Plate.

https://us.store.bambulab.com/products/glue-stick-for-build-plate

We’ve also tried Elmer’s Glue Stick, and it has worked really well with our setup! 🤗

Liquid Glue

If you prefer a liquid applicator, Bambu Lab also offers Liquid Glue for Build Plate. Bambu describes it as leaving less residue on prints and being easier to clean than its glue stick.

https://us.store.bambulab.com/products/liquid-glue-for-build-plate

We found the branded option relatively expensive, so we experimented with Elmer’s Clear Liquid Glue—and had great results with our setup.

However, if you're using Elmer's Liquid Glue, consider using a sponge applicator bottle makes spreading a thin, even layer much easier. Let it dry before printing, and try a small test print before committing to a full batch.

Elmer’s Clear Liquid Glue: https://amzn.to/4BbR0hdSponge applicator bottle: https://amzn.to/4euZ7LP

3. Our Recommended Upgrade: BIQU CryoGrip Pro 💙

If you regularly print batches for your business, BIQU CryoGrip Pro is an upgrade we highly recommend based on our own experience.

https://biqu.equipment/products/biqu-panda-buildplate-cryogrip-pro?variant=41446028902498

Since switching, we haven’t experienced bed adhesion failures with our keycap batches. We’ve filled entire plates with keycaps, and it has given us much more confidence during long printing sessions—including overnight batches.

For our setup, we no longer need glue sticks. Regular cleaning still matters, though!

For us, the investment has been worthwhile when compared with the filament, time, and interrupted production caused by failed prints.

Before buying or printing:

Choose the correct size for your printer.

Check whether Frostbite or Glacier suits your filament and preferred bottom-surface texture.

Follow the care instructions for your exact variant.

In Bambu Studio, use the plate selection and bed temperatures recommended by BIQU for that variant.

BIQU offers both Frostbite and Glacier options, with different surface textures and printing guidance.

👉 Explore Official BIQU CryoGrip Product on Amazon

This post is not sponsored. Our recommendation comes from our actual experience at Justi-FY Studio. Results can vary with your filament, settings, and plate condition.

Clean first, use adhesive when appropriate, and consider a plate upgrade if adhesion keeps interrupting your workflow.

Whichever option you choose, check the first layer before letting a full batch continue. A little preparation can save a lot of wasted filament! 🤗

Happy printing!Justi-FY Studio