Temperature tower calibration finds your filament's optimal print temperature in one print instead of multiple test prints. By testing temperatures at 5°C intervals in a single tall print, you can visually compare stringing, layer adhesion, surface quality, and overhang performance side by side.
Temperature Range Lookup
1 OrcaSlicer Temperature Tower
- 1.Open OrcaSlicer → Calibration menu → Temperature
- 2.Select your material and printer profile
- 3.Set Start/End temperature range (e.g., 220°C to 190°C for PLA)
- 4.Set step size to 5°C → click "Generate"
- 5.Slice and print — OrcaSlicer adds temperature changes automatically
- 6.The temperature is labeled on each section of the tower
2 Cura Temperature Tower
- 1.Download a temperature tower model (Printables.com has many)
- 2.In Cura: Extensions → Post Processing → Add Script → ChangeAtZ
- 3.Set ChangeAtZ script entries for each section height (typically every 10mm)
- 4.Set temperature change value (-5 per section from starting temp)
- 5.Slice → print
- 6.Note the Z heights from the model to identify which section = which temp
How to Read Your Temperature Tower Results
| Feature | Too Cold | Too Hot | Just Right |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stringing | Minimal or none | Lots of thin hairs | Few or no strings |
| Layer adhesion | Layers delaminate | Strong but droopy | Strong, no separation |
| Surface finish | Rough, gritty, gaps | Smooth but slightly sagged | Smooth, consistent lines |
| Bridging | Clean but brittle | Saggy, droops | Slight sag, solid bridges |
| Overhangs (45°) | Clean but may crack | Curls upward, rough | Slight roughness, solid |
How to Use a Temperature Tower for 3D Printer Calibration
Temperature calibration is one of the first and most impactful calibration steps for a new printer or new filament brand. Even within the same material type (e.g., PLA), different brands may have optimal temperatures 5-15°C apart.
When to Run a Temperature Tower
Run a temperature tower when: you get a new brand of filament, you're experiencing stringing issues, you see layer separation or weak prints, the print surface looks rough or inconsistent, or you're switching to a different nozzle material (brass vs hardened steel vs copper) which affects thermal conductivity and effective printing temperature.
Interpreting Results
The optimal temperature balances all factors — you rarely get perfect scores at every metric from one section. Most materials show a clear sweet spot where stringing is minimal, layers adhere well, and surface quality is clean. If you see good stringing at 195°C but poor layer adhesion, and good layer adhesion at 210°C but heavy stringing, try 200-205°C and optimize retraction settings to address the stringing at that temperature.
Temperature vs Retraction
Stringing is influenced by both temperature AND retraction settings. Don't try to solve all stringing by dropping temperature — very low temperatures cause poor layer adhesion that is far more damaging to print quality. Set temperature at the minimum that provides good layer adhesion, then tune retraction distance and speed to minimize stringing at that temperature. A typical starting point: 4-6mm retraction for Bowden, 0.5-1.5mm for direct drive.
FAQ
Is this guide free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required.
What is a temperature tower and why do I need one?
A temperature tower is a calibration print that tests multiple temperatures in one print. Each segment prints at a different temperature (5°C steps), letting you visually compare stringing, layer adhesion, surface quality, bridging, and overhang performance at each temperature. One 30-minute print replaces hours of individual tests.
What temperature range should I test for PLA?
Test PLA from 180°C to 220°C in 5°C steps. Start the print at 220°C and decrease by 5°C for each tower section. Common sweet spot: 200-210°C for most PLA brands. Silk PLA often needs 210-220°C. Matte PLA may need 195-205°C. Your specific brand's sweet spot may differ from generic recommendations.
How do I set temperature changes in Cura for a temperature tower?
In Cura: Install the ChangeAtZ plugin from the Marketplace. Set script at Z heights corresponding to each tower section. Alternatively, use a pre-sliced temperature tower gcode from Printables.com for your specific printer. OrcaSlicer has a built-in temperature tower calibration tool that auto-generates the gcode with correct temperature steps.
What am I looking for in the tower results?
Evaluate each section for: (1) Stringing — thin hairs between features; aim for minimal stringing. (2) Layer adhesion — press firmly with thumbs; good adhesion means the layers don't separate. (3) Surface quality — smooth, consistent texture. (4) Bridging — unsupported horizontal spans should sag minimally. (5) Overhangs — 45-60° overhangs should print cleanly. The best temperature balances all these factors.