Layer height is one of the first settings people change, and one of the most misunderstood. Thinner layers look smoother but take much longer, while thicker layers print fast but show their lines. The trick is matching the layer height to what the part is for.
How layer height changes the result
A fine layer height captures curves and small detail, which suits display models and parts that will be painted or photographed. A coarser layer height lays down material quickly and often prints stronger in the vertical direction, which suits brackets, jigs and functional parts.
Print time scales almost directly with layer count, so halving the layer height roughly doubles the time and cost. That is a big lever to pull for no visible benefit on a hidden part.
Choosing the right setting
For most functional FDM work, a medium layer height is the sweet spot. We reserve the finest settings for parts where surface finish genuinely matters, and we go coarser on large, simple shapes to save time.
Tell us how the part will be used and we will pick a layer height that balances quality, strength and cost for your job.