3D Printing Glossary: 22 Terms Explained
The words that show up in 3D printing specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon. Open any term for the full explanation and what to look for when buying.
- Build volume
- Build volume is the maximum width, depth and height a printer can produce in a single print job.
- Read more about build volume
- Direct drive extruder
- A direct drive extruder mounts the motor right above the hotend, giving better control over flexible filaments than a bowden setup.
- Read more about direct drive extruder
- Elephant's foot
- Elephant's foot is a bulge at the base of a print caused by the bottom layers being squished slightly wider than the rest.
- Read more about elephant's foot
- FDM
- FDM is the most common home 3D printing process, building parts by melting plastic filament and depositing it layer by layer.
- Read more about fdmRelated: Best FDM 3D Printers for Reliable Everyday Prints (2026)
- First layer
- The first layer is the foundation of every print, and level bed plus correct nozzle distance fix most adhesion failures.
- Read more about first layerRelated: Best Bed Leveling Sensors for Perfect First Layers (2026)
- Hardened steel nozzle
- A hardened steel nozzle resists wear from abrasive filaments like carbon fiber or glow-in-the-dark blends that erode brass quickly.
- Read more about hardened steel nozzleRelated: Best Hardened Steel Nozzles for Abrasive Filaments (2026)
- Infill
- Infill is the internal support structure inside a print, controlling strength, weight and material use through density and pattern.
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- Layer height
- Layer height is the thickness of each printed layer, controlling the tradeoff between print speed and surface smoothness.
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- Nozzle diameter
- Nozzle diameter is the width of the hole plastic extrudes through, affecting print speed, detail and minimum wall thickness.
- Read more about nozzle diameter
- PEI sheet
- A PEI sheet is a build surface that grips a hot print firmly and releases it easily once it cools back down.
- Read more about pei sheetRelated: Best PEI Build Plates for Strong First Layers (2026)
- PETG
- PETG is a tougher, more heat-resistant filament than PLA that strings more easily and needs higher print temperatures.
- Read more about petgRelated: Best PETG Filament for Strong, Durable Prints (2026)
- PLA
- PLA is the easiest common 3D printing filament, printing around 190 to 220C with minimal warping and no enclosure needed.
- Read more about plaRelated: Best PLA Filament for Clean, Easy 3D Prints (2026)
- Resin (SLA/MSLA)
- Resin printing cures liquid photopolymer with light instead of melting filament, giving very fine detail at the cost of mess and fumes.
- Read more about resin (sla/msla)Related: Best Resin 3D Printers for Sharp, Detailed Models (2026)
- Retraction
- Retraction pulls filament backward slightly during travel moves to stop the nozzle from oozing plastic where it should not.
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- Slicer
- A slicer is software that converts a 3D model into printer instructions, setting layer height, infill, supports and temperatures.
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- Stringing
- Stringing is thin hairs of plastic left between parts of a print, usually caused by oozing during travel moves.
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- Support structures
- Support structures are temporary printed scaffolding that hold up overhangs and bridges until the model can stand on its own.
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- Temperature tower
- A temperature tower is a test print that steps nozzle temperature down every few layers to find the best setting for a spool.
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- TPU
- TPU is a flexible, rubber-like filament used for phone cases, gaskets and grips, printed slowly and best on a direct drive extruder.
- Read more about tpuRelated: Best TPU Filament for Flexible, Grippy Prints (2026)
- Warping
- Warping is corners or edges lifting off the bed as plastic cools and shrinks unevenly, common with ABS printed without an enclosure.
- Read more about warpingRelated: Best Enclosed 3D Printers for ABS and Clean Prints (2026)
- Wet filament
- Wet filament has absorbed moisture from the air, causing popping sounds, tiny bubbles and weaker, rougher looking prints.
- Read more about wet filamentRelated: Best Filament Dry Boxes for Moisture-Free Prints (2026)
- Z-offset
- Z-offset is the fine adjustment between where the printer thinks the bed is and where the nozzle actually touches it.
- Read more about z-offset