How To: OrcaSlicer Configuration Guide — Creality Ender 3 S1 Plus (PLA & PETG)

OrcaSlicer Configuration Guide — Creality Ender 3 S1 Plus (PLA & PETG)

This guide provides a conservative, stable OrcaSlicer setup for a Creality Ender 3 S1 Plus with stock Marlin firmware, CR Touch automatic bed leveling, direct-drive extruder, and textured PEI build plate. It adds a practical calibration playlist for PLA and PETG so the slicer profiles can be tuned in a repeatable order for reliable first layers and steady print quality.[cite:3][cite:4][cite:6][cite:10][cite:14]

Printer and bed setup

Add the printer profile

  1. Launch OrcaSlicer.
  2. In the top-left printer selector, click the edit icon next to the active printer to open Printer Settings.[cite:11]
  3. Click Add Printer (or the + icon), search for Ender-3 S1, and choose the closest stock profile available, typically Ender-3 S1 Pro if an S1 Plus profile is not present.[cite:3][cite:5]
  4. Open Printer Settings → Basic Information and set:
    • Printable area X: 315 mm
    • Printable area Y: 310 mm
    • Printable height Z: 300 mm
    • Bed shape: Rectangular
    • G-code flavor: Marlin.[cite:4]
  5. Save the printer as Ender-3 S1 Plus.

Configure machine start and end G-code

  1. Open Printer Settings → Machine G-code.
  2. In Machine start G-code, use:
M413 S1                          ; Enable power-loss recovery
G90                              ; Absolute positioning
M83                              ; Extruder relative mode
M140 S[bed_temperature_initial_layer_single]  ; Start heating bed
M104 S150                        ; Pre-heat nozzle to 150°C
G4 S10                           ; Brief pause
G28                              ; Home all axes
M420 L1 S1 T0 V Z75.0            ; Load saved bed mesh, fade over 75 mm
G1 Z50 F240
G1 X2 Y10 F3000
M104 S[nozzle_temperature_initial_layer]
M190 S[bed_temperature_initial_layer_single]
M109 S[nozzle_temperature_initial_layer]
G1 Z0.28 F240
G92 E0
G1 Y140 E10 F1500
G1 X2.3 F5000
G92 E0
G1 Y10 E10 F1200
G92 E0

This start sequence heats safely, homes the machine, loads the saved bed mesh, and lays down a consistent purge line before the print begins.[cite:10][cite:14]

  1. In Machine end G-code, use:
G91
G1 Z0.2 E-2 F2400
G1 X5 Y5 F3000
G1 Z10
G90
G1 X0 Y200
M140 S0
M104 S0
M106 S0
M84
  1. Keep Printer Settings → Basic Information → Z-offset at 0.00 mm as a starting point and do final tuning with calibration prints and live adjustments.[cite:10][cite:14]

Prepare the textured PEI plate

  1. Wash the removable PEI plate with warm water and a small amount of dish soap when adhesion declines.
  2. Dry it fully, then wipe with 99% IPA on a lint-free cloth before printing.[cite:6][cite:11]
  3. For PETG, apply a thin layer of PVA glue stick before printing so the part releases cleanly and does not bond too aggressively to PEI.[cite:6]
  4. Let PETG prints cool fully before removal because release improves substantially as the bed temperature drops.[cite:6]

PLA profile

Create the PLA filament profile

  1. In the top bar, open the Filament selector.
  2. Click the edit icon, choose Add, and select Generic PLA as the base preset.[cite:14]
  3. Name it PLA – S1 Plus Conservative and save.

PLA temperatures

Open Filament Settings → Basic Information and set:

Setting Value
Nozzle temperature – first layer 210 °C
Nozzle temperature – other layers 205 °C
Bed temperature – first layer 60 °C
Bed temperature – other layers 60 °C

These values are conservative and favor first-layer consistency on textured PEI over outright speed.[cite:14]

PLA cooling

Open Filament Settings → Cooling and set:

Setting Value
Enable cooling Yes
Fan speed – first layer 0%
Fan speed – other layers 100%
No cooling for first N layers 1
Slow down for cooling Yes
Minimum layer time 8 s
Fan speed for overhangs 100%

Turning off part cooling for the first layer is one of the most reliable ways to improve PLA adhesion on PEI.[cite:6][cite:14]

PLA retraction

Open Filament Settings → Advanced and enable the retraction override.

Setting Value
Retraction distance 3.5 mm
Retraction speed 45 mm/s
Wipe before retraction Enabled

This is a safe starting point for a direct-drive setup and should be refined with OrcaSlicer’s Retraction Test.[cite:10][cite:14]

PLA process settings

Create a process preset from 0.20mm Standard and name it PLA – 0.20 Conservative.[cite:14]

Open Process Settings → Quality and set:

Setting Value
Layer height 0.20 mm
Initial layer height 0.24 mm
Initial layer line width 110%
Seam position Aligned or Back
Walls 3
Top shell layers 5
Bottom shell layers 4

The thicker first layer and 110% line width improve bed contact and help small variations in leveling print more consistently.[cite:6][cite:14]

Open Process Settings → Speed and set:

Setting Value
First layer speed 15 mm/s
First layer infill speed 20 mm/s
Outer wall speed 40 mm/s
Inner wall speed 40 mm/s
Infill speed 60 mm/s
Top surface speed 35 mm/s
Travel speed 120 mm/s
Initial layer travel speed 60 mm/s

PLA flow and pressure settings

Open Filament Settings → Basic Information and set:

Setting Value
Flow ratio 1.00 to start, then calibrate
Max volumetric speed 12–14 mm³/s

Then run Calibration → Flow Ratio and Calibration → Pressure Advance to finalize the actual values used by that PLA spool.[cite:10][cite:14]

PETG profile

Create the PETG filament profile

  1. In the Filament selector, click edit, choose Add, and start from Generic PETG.[cite:14]
  2. Name it PETG – S1 Plus Conservative and save.
  3. Duplicate the PLA process preset and save it as PETG – 0.20 Conservative.

PETG temperatures

Open Filament Settings → Basic Information and set:

Setting Value
Nozzle temperature – first layer 240 °C
Nozzle temperature – other layers 235 °C
Bed temperature – first layer 80 °C
Bed temperature – other layers 80 °C

PETG usually needs a hotter bed than PLA to stay flat and avoid corner lift on larger parts.[cite:6][cite:14]

PETG cooling

Open Filament Settings → Cooling and set:

Setting Value
Fan speed – first layer 0%
No cooling for first N layers 3
Fan speed – layers 4+ 35%
Bridge fan speed 80%
Minimum layer time 10 s

PETG generally prints best with restrained cooling because high fan speeds can weaken layer bonding.[cite:6][cite:14]

PETG retraction

Open Filament Settings → Advanced and set:

Setting Value
Retraction distance 1.5 mm
Retraction speed 40 mm/s
Wipe before retraction Enabled
Z-hop height 0.20 mm

For direct-drive PETG, short retractions are safer and usually reduce the risk of heat-creep clogs.[cite:10][cite:14]

PETG process settings

Open Process Settings → Quality and set:

Setting Value
Layer height 0.20 mm
Initial layer height 0.24 mm
Initial layer line width 110%
Walls 3
Top shell layers 5
Bottom shell layers 4

Open Process Settings → Speed and set:

Setting Value
First layer speed 12 mm/s
First layer infill speed 15 mm/s
Outer wall speed 40 mm/s
Inner wall speed 40 mm/s
Infill speed 50 mm/s
Top surface speed 35 mm/s
Travel speed 150 mm/s
Initial layer travel speed 80 mm/s

The higher travel speed helps reduce PETG stringing by reducing ooze time during moves.[cite:12]

PETG Z-offset note

PETG usually prefers slightly less squish than PLA. A practical starting point is to run the PETG first-layer calibration and, if needed, raise the effective Z-offset by about +0.05 mm compared with a well-tuned PLA profile.[cite:6][cite:14]

Z-offset and first-layer tuning

Establish the hardware baseline

  1. On the printer touchscreen, preheat the machine to the actual material temperatures before leveling.
  2. Run Prepare → Home.
  3. Open Settings → Leveling → Aux Level and use the paper test at the four corners and center until resistance feels even everywhere.[cite:4]
  4. Run AUTO LVL → Start so the CR Touch mesh is measured and stored.[cite:4][cite:11]

Fine-tune with OrcaSlicer calibration

  1. In OrcaSlicer, open Calibration → Z Offset or Calibration → First Layer depending on the version.[cite:14]
  2. Generate the test patch using the exact filament and process profile you plan to print with.
  3. Inspect the result:
    • Too high: lines are round and separate.
    • Too low: lines smear and the nozzle drags.
    • Correct: lines lightly squash together with a smooth top surface.[cite:10][cite:14]
  4. Adjust in Printer Settings → Basic Information → Z-offset or live on the printer in steps of 0.02 mm and rerun as needed.[cite:14]

Raft, brim, and adhesion aids

Find the adhesion controls

  1. Open the relevant process preset.
  2. Switch OrcaSlicer to Expert mode if required.
  3. Open Process Settings → Others → Bed Adhesion to find skirt, brim, and raft controls.[cite:6][cite:9][cite:13]

Use a brim before a raft in most cases because it uses less material and preserves the model bottom surface more cleanly.[cite:9]

Setting PLA PETG
Brim type Outer brim only Outer brim only
Brim width 8 mm 10 mm
Brim-object gap 0.10 mm 0.10 mm

These values are a stable starting point for narrow parts, small footprints, and parts that tend to lift at the corners.[cite:13]

Use a raft only when the model has very little bed contact or you are troubleshooting severe adhesion problems.[cite:9]

Setting Value
Raft layers 3–4
Raft expansion 5–8 mm
Raft contact Z distance 0.20–0.25 mm
Raft first layer speed 12–15 mm/s

A smaller raft contact gap improves bottom support, while a larger one removes more easily but sacrifices surface finish.[cite:9]

Calibration playlist

The most repeatable workflow is to tune each filament in a fixed order so later tests are not skewed by earlier errors. OrcaSlicer’s own calibration set supports a sequence of temperature, flow, pressure advance, retraction, and Z-offset tuning.[cite:10][cite:14]

PLA playlist

  1. Hot level + saved mesh: manual corner level hot, then run CR Touch auto-level and save the mesh.[cite:4][cite:18]
  2. Temperature Tower: choose the cleanest section with strong bridges, low stringing, and good layer bonding, then set first-layer and normal-layer nozzle temperatures from that result.[cite:20][cite:14]
  3. Flow Ratio: use YOLO or Pass 1+2, then enter the final flow ratio in Filament Settings → Basic Information.[cite:14][cite:18]
  4. Pressure Advance: choose the value with the cleanest corners and the most even line width through speed changes, then save it under Filament Settings → Advanced.[cite:10][cite:12]
  5. Retraction Test: reduce or increase retraction until stringing drops without restart gaps, then save the distance and speed in Filament Settings → Advanced.[cite:10][cite:19]
  6. Z Offset / First Layer: run the first-layer patch last, because it is easiest to judge once temperature, flow, and extrusion dynamics are already tuned.[cite:14]

Expected outcomes for PLA

When to rerun PLA calibration

PETG playlist

  1. Hot level + saved mesh: repeat the same leveling routine at PETG temperatures because bed expansion changes the geometry slightly.[cite:4][cite:18]
  2. Temperature Tower: look for the best compromise between layer bonding and manageable stringing, then save PETG nozzle temperatures.[cite:20][cite:22]
  3. Flow Ratio: run the PETG flow test and save the result in the PETG filament profile.[cite:14][cite:22]
  4. Pressure Advance: select the PA result that reduces bulged corners and keeps wall thickness consistent on speed transitions.[cite:10][cite:12]
  5. Retraction Test: tune retraction within the short direct-drive PETG range so stringing improves without triggering restart under-extrusion or heat creep.[cite:19][cite:22]
  6. Z Offset / First Layer: finish by tuning first-layer squish, usually with slightly less squish than PLA.[cite:6][cite:14]

Expected outcomes for PETG

When to rerun PETG calibration

Quick-reference settings

PLA quick reference

Parameter Value OrcaSlicer path
Nozzle – first layer 210 °C Filament Settings → Basic Information
Nozzle – other layers 205 °C Filament Settings → Basic Information
Bed – all layers 60 °C Filament Settings → Basic Information
First layer speed 15 mm/s Process Settings → Speed
Outer/inner wall speed 40 mm/s Process Settings → Speed
Infill speed 60 mm/s Process Settings → Speed
Travel speed 120 mm/s Process Settings → Speed
Fan – first layer 0% Filament Settings → Cooling
Fan – other layers 100% Filament Settings → Cooling
Initial layer height 0.24 mm Process Settings → Quality
Initial layer line width 110% Process Settings → Quality
Retraction distance 3.5 mm start point Filament Settings → Advanced
Retraction speed 45 mm/s Filament Settings → Advanced
Brim width 8 mm Process Settings → Others → Bed Adhesion

PETG quick reference

Parameter Value OrcaSlicer path
Nozzle – first layer 240 °C Filament Settings → Basic Information
Nozzle – other layers 235 °C Filament Settings → Basic Information
Bed – all layers 80 °C Filament Settings → Basic Information
First layer speed 12 mm/s Process Settings → Speed
Outer/inner wall speed 40 mm/s Process Settings → Speed
Infill speed 50 mm/s Process Settings → Speed
Travel speed 150 mm/s Process Settings → Speed
Fan – layers 1–3 0% Filament Settings → Cooling
Fan – layers 4+ 35% Filament Settings → Cooling
Bridge fan speed 80% Filament Settings → Cooling
Retraction distance 1.5 mm start point Filament Settings → Advanced
Retraction speed 40 mm/s Filament Settings → Advanced
Z-hop height 0.20 mm Filament Settings → Advanced
Brim width 10 mm Process Settings → Others → Bed Adhesion