Do you often encounter such phenomena when printing ASA filament, where there is no warping, no clogging, but the surface looks rough, uneven, or overly glossy in some areas and dull in others? This is not a printer problem, but the setup and filament itself.
Why ASA Prints Have Bubbles & Rough Surface
- In most cases, surface defects come from
- Layer thickness setting is high
- Moist filament
- Improper printing temperature
- Uneven cooling
- High printing speed
- Over extruded
- Large Nozzle Gap
The Solutions for Bubbles & Rough Surface ASA Prints
1. Reduce Layer Thickness
Adjust the layer thickness in the slicing software from 0.2mm to 0.15mm. Meanwhile, slow down the print speed to 35-45mm/s to make each layer adhere more tightly.
2. Dry the Filament Thoroughly
Moisture is a common cause of bubbles and rough surface in ASA printing. Dry ASA for 4-6 hours at around 60°C, and store dried ASA in a sealed bag with desiccant.
3. Adjust Nozzle Temperature Slightly
If the nozzle temperature was too low, ASA doesn’t melt fully, leading to grainy, weak extrusion that doesn’t fuse well. If the nozzle temperature was too high, the surface looks overly glossy or stringy. Adjusting 5°C each time to improve the surface but keep the strength. What’s more, a preheat bed can assure better results.
4. Reduce Cooling Fan Speed
High cooling fan speed prevents proper layer fusion, the gentle cooling is better for ASA. Keeping the cooling below 20% will get a smoother surface. Also, the enclosure works perfectly during ASA printing.
5. Consistent Extrusion
Minor clogs will cause surface defects. So the clean nozzle and stable extrusion assure better results.
6. Reduce Nozzle Gap
If there is a “nozzle-to-heated bed gap” adjustment function, adjust the gap from 0.2mm to 0.15mm to make the first layer of filament adhere more tightly to the heated bed and reduce surface texture.
Stability Leads to Clean Prints
When the temperature, moisture, and extrusion are well set, the printing environment becomes stable and predictable, ASA material delivers an excellent surface finish.
For a deeper understanding of ASA properties, ideal settings, and long-term outdoor performance, explore the complete ASA filament guide.
