Ironing: When to Use It (and When Not To)

Surface finish

A second, low-flow pass over flat top layers with the hot nozzle to flatten and fill them.

✓ Use it when: Flat tops: nameplates, logos, badges, lids, box tops; faces you'll glue together.
✗ Avoid it when: Round/organic shapes or tops not parallel to the bed (adds time, no benefit). Watch for heat creep with PLA on big areas.

Key settings

  1. Type: all top surfaces / topmost only
  2. Flow % (low)
  3. Spacing smaller than nozzle diameter
  4. Slow speed
  5. Pair with monotonic top infill

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More techniques

Fuzzy skin · Supports / organic (tree) supports · Brim · Seam placement · Variable / adaptive layer height · Modifiers (height range / mesh) · Multicolor purge (prime tower / flush into infill/object)