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0.12 vs 0.20 mm layer height for PLA prints

0.12 vs 0.20 mm layer height for PLA prints

Posted by HARP 3D Tech on Feb 7th 2024

The slicer's fine-detail profile is tempting. So is finishing before tomorrow. With a suitable 0.4 mm nozzle profile, the choice between 0.12 and 0.20 mm layers comes down to which surfaces need the extra attention and how much time you want to spend on them.

Look at the surface that needs improvement

Layer height controls the thickness of each slice in the vertical direction. It does not make the nozzle narrower. If tiny lettering lies flat on the bed, reducing layer height alone will not fix detail that is limited by the extrusion width.

For a desk organizer with mostly straight vertical walls, compare the time estimate before choosing a fine profile. A cup that mainly holds three pens and a dead marker may not need the deluxe treatment. For a rounded lid or a curved model, inspect the upper surfaces where stepping may be more visible.

0.12 vs 0.20 mm layer height for PLA prints
Illustration: finer and coarser layers change the appearance of a curved surface. AI-generated comparison; these are not measured 0.12 and 0.20 mm HARP samples.

Compare the same project twice

  1. Save the model in its intended orientation.
  2. Slice it with the printer's supported 0.20 mm PLA profile.
  3. Record estimated time and filament use.
  4. Repeat with its supported 0.12 mm profile.
  5. Compare the preview at the curved surfaces and small features.

A 24 mm-tall section contains 120 layers at 0.20 mm and 200 at 0.12 mm, ignoring a separately configured first layer. That arithmetic explains why the layer count rises. It does not predict an exact print-time increase, because speeds and other profile settings also affect the result.

Keep the comparison fair

Use the same filament color for both samples and view them in the same light. Keep notes on any automatic changes the slicer makes when switching profiles. Otherwise, a difference in cooling or wall settings can be mistaken for a layer-height result.

Check total top and bottom shell thickness too. The same number of layers produces a thinner shell when the layers are shorter. Use the slicer's thickness settings and preview to confirm what will be printed.

Save profiles by purpose

A name such as “PLA organizer, 0.20 mm” tells you why you kept a profile. Save a separate fine-detail version when a comparison shows a benefit worth the added time.

Continue with walls and infill for PLA parts. Technical reference: Prusa's layer and perimeter settings.

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