Which print quality and layer height should I choose?
By Layer & Loop Store · Published
Short answer
For most parts, a 0.2 mm layer height with moderate infill is the right balance of finish, strength and cost. Choose thicker layers for quick, cheap fit checks, denser infill for parts that take load, and a finer nozzle only when small text or detail must stay sharp. A lower layer height isn't automatically better — it mostly adds time.
What each setting actually changes
Layer height
Layer height is the thickness of each slice the printer lays down. Thinner layers make curves, domes and gentle slopes smoother because the “staircase” steps are smaller. They don't make side-to-side detail any finer — that's set by the nozzle — and every halving of layer height roughly doubles the number of layers, and so the print time.
Infill
Infill is the internal lattice inside a part. It supports the outer walls and top surfaces and adds stiffness. Most decorative and lightly loaded parts need little; brackets, mounts and anything that is clamped or screwed benefits from more. Infill is one of the biggest drivers of weight, and so of price.
Nozzle size
The nozzle sets how thin a line the printer can draw, which limits the smallest walls, text and textures. A smaller nozzle keeps fine detail but prints more slowly. If details are going missing, nozzle size usually matters more than layer height — see why details disappear when sliced.
Why lower isn't automatically better
- Time and cost rise with every extra layer, often with little visible gain on flat or vertical faces.
- Strength doesn't improve much — wall count and infill matter more.
- Narrow features still need a fine nozzle; thinner layers alone won't rescue a 0.2 mm wall.
- A thicker layer is fine for a part that will be hidden, painted or only used to check fit.
The quality options on a Layer & Loop Store quote
The Layer & Loop Store instant quote offers three quality settings. The price updates as you switch between them, so it's easy to compare.
| Setting | Layer height | Default infill | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft | 0.28 mm | 10% (fixed) | Fast, low-cost fit checks and visual prototypes |
| Standard | 0.2 mm | 15% (adjustable) | Most parts — clean finish and everyday strength |
| Strong | 0.2 mm | 30% (adjustable) | Brackets, mounts, clips and other functional parts |
On Standard and Strong you can also set infill yourself, from 10% up to fully solid, if a part needs to be lighter or stiffer than the default.
Quick picker
- Checking size or proportions → Draft.
- Display piece, enclosure, everyday item → Standard.
- Bracket, mount, clip, tool holder → Strong, with more infill if it carries real load.
- Clean flat underside for a sign or coaster → add the smooth underside option.
Material matters as much as settings for heat, outdoor use and flexibility — compare options in the material guide, and see how settings feed into price in what 3D printing costs.
Common questions
Is a lower layer height always better?
No. Thinner layers make curves and slopes smoother, but they add print time and cost, and they don't make features narrower than the nozzle any sharper. For most functional parts a 0.2 mm layer height is a good balance.
Does higher infill make a 3D print stronger?
Up to a point. Much of a part's strength comes from its outer walls and top and bottom skins; infill supports them. Raising infill makes a part stiffer and heavier, but it also uses more material and time, which raises the price.
What quality should I choose for a functional part?
On a Layer & Loop Store quote, Strong is designed for functional parts such as brackets, mounts and clips. It uses denser infill than Standard at the same 0.2 mm layer height.
Compare settings on your own model
Upload an STL or 3MF and switch between Draft, Standard and Strong to see the price change instantly.
External references
General technical background comes from these sources; notes marked “From the Layer & Loop Store workshop” are our own production experience.
- Layers and perimeters — Prusa Knowledge Base