Print settings for brick-fit parts
The settings that gave us pieces that click together, plus what to change when the studs are rough, the pieces are loose or tight, or small parts will not stick. Tested on a Bambu P1S with a 0.4 mm nozzle; other printers need small adjustments.
Start with these
| Setting | PLA | PETG |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle | 0.4 mm | 0.4 mm |
| Layer height | 0.12 to 0.16 mm for sharp studs; 0.20 mm is fine for speed | Same |
| Walls | 3 (the grip ridges are made of wall lines) | 3 |
| Infill | 15 to 20% | 15 to 20% |
| First layer | Slow: about 25 mm/s | Slow: about 25 mm/s |
| Bed | Textured PEI, about 55 to 60 °C | Textured PEI, 70 to 80 °C (80 for small parts) |
| Nozzle temperature | Your PLA preset | Your PETG preset |
| Flow ratio | 100% | Often needs 1.00 where the preset says 0.95: PETG tends to print looser |
| Brim | 3 to 5 mm on the smallest pieces (1x1 parts, tiny bases). Our Bambu files add it for you. | |
| Supports | Off for the plates. On (automatic) for any file ending in “needs-supports”. | |
Every part starts at our tested fit (Fit 1); pick Fit 2 to 5 on the download page for a tighter grip, or print the free fit test (10 small plates, 1–5 dots) to choose. Do not scale the parts. PLA grips a little tighter than PETG.
Studs rough or details soft?
- Use finer layers: 0.12 mm instead of 0.20 mm.
- Slow the outer wall down. Makers who print this kind of part report 25 to 60 mm/s for the outer wall; we have not tested every value ourselves.
- PLA: turn the part-cooling fan up after the first layers.
- Dry the filament. Damp plastic gives strings and rough studs, most of all in PETG.
Pieces too loose or too tight?
| What you feel | What to do |
|---|---|
| It is right | It clicks on, holds when you tip it upside down, and comes off with a firm pull. |
| Too loose, falls off | Raise the flow ratio by 2 to 5%, check cooling, slow the outer wall, try PLA instead of PETG. Change one thing at a time and test with one piece. |
| Too tight, will not go on | Lower the flow ratio a little, lightly sand the studs, or ease the part on and off a few times. |
Small parts will not stick to the bed?
- Slow first layer (about 25 mm/s) and a clean plate: warm water and dish soap, and no bare fingers on it afterwards.
- A 3 to 5 mm brim on the smallest pieces. Print only a few of them per plate if they keep letting go.
- PETG: bed at 75 to 80 °C for the first layer.
- Parts with a rounded or pointed underside can let go however you print them; the pack lists them as tricky pieces.
Not a Bambu printer?
On the set tool, choose a printer that says “plain files for other brands” (256, 220 or 300 mm bed). The plates are then plain 3MF files that open in ElegooSlicer, OrcaSlicer, PrusaSlicer or Cura. You pick your own printer and plastic, and use the table above.
These come from our own tests on one printer plus advice from other makers. If a setting works (or fails) on yours, tell us at hello@brickalike.com. Printed bricks are not toys: small parts, a choking hazard, not for children under 3.
Try it
Type a set number to get every part and a print file for each one. It is free.