Skirt and Brim | Prusa Knowledge Base

Some options will only appear when Expert mode is selected.

Skirt

The skirt is a printed outline of all of the models on the print bed. It's printed before any of the models and its purpose is mainly to stabilize the flow of the filament through the nozzle.

The skirt is also useful to verify the adhesion of the first layer to the print bed. Since it's printed before the models, you can quickly change the Live Z adjust if you see the first layer not sticking properly or being too squished by the nozzle.

Loops (minimum)

The number of loops of the skirt. If the Minimal filament extrusion length parameter is set, the number of loops may be higher than the one configured here.

Set to 0 to disable the skirt completely.

Distance from object

Distance between the skirt and object(s).

Skirt height

The number of skirt layers to be printed.

One-layer tall skirts can be difficult to remove from the print bed. Prusa profiles typically use a three-layers tall skirt for this reason.

Draft shield

If enabled it creates a skirt as tall as the tallest object in the scene. This can be used to protect ABS, ASA, and other materials from warping by creating a micro-climate around the printed part and protecting the print from draft/wind.

Minimal filament extrusion length

Forces more skirt loops when necessary to ensure the minimum amount of filament set here is extruded before the skirt is finished. For multi extruder machines, this minimum applies to each extruder.

Brim

Before you consider applying extra adhesion materials onto the bed, consider using the Brim option in PrusaSlicer which increases the surface area of the first layer. You can set the brim size manually in PrusaSlicer by going into Print settings - Skirt and brim - Brim.

You should consider using the brim option when printing:

Tall objects with a small base
Multiple small objects at once

Brim type

You can select to print Outer brim only, Inner brim only or both Outer and inner brim.

Brim width

The horizontal width of the brim that will be printed around each object on the first layer. Generally, it is advised to use at least a 3 mm brim to increase the adhesion.

Brim separation gap

The offset of brim from the printed object for easier brim removal. The offset is applied after the Elephant foot compensation.

Brim for individual objects

You can turn on brim just for some of the objects and customize brim settings for each object separately. This feature is only available in the Advanced and Expert modes.

Right-click on a model and select Add settings - Skirt and brim. You can then pick which brim settings you wish to adjust for the selected model. These settings will appear in the right panel and override the global brim settings.

15 comments

koen

•

2 months ago

Is there a way to enable a skirt for all print profiles by default? I've noticed it greatly reduced the amount of failures with small prints. I often notice this shortly after I send my files off to the printer that I forgot, and then I have to restart the print, and with that also restart the probe sequence, which can be a substantial amount of time of the print for small parts.

notableprinter

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over 2 years ago

'Inner Brim' doesn't work when there are parts INSIDE a model - they are not given a Brim, even when Inner Brim is selected.
This works perfectly in Bambu Studio though, it gives a Brim to parts inside a model too

Mimir

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over 2 years ago

I have a question concerning brims when using heavy filaments (bronze). Many of my prints have a total weight of some 600-1000 gr. I add a brim, 5-10mm - distance "0") when the footprint of the model is relatively small and the total hight of the model is beyond some 15cm. Nevertheless the print fails sometimes because it slips on the table (hundred percent cleaned before print !). Which type of support should I use ? Even broader brims ? Can the brim have added layers to support further? Is there a formula on model weight, hights, footprint of and brims support ? Use my beloved Prusa I3 MK3 and colorfab bronze filaments. Thanksfull for any help, to get me out of my frustrations of failed prints after 20-30 hours of printing !!

Giuliano - Official Prusa CS

•

over 2 years ago

Hello. To answer your question, it's better to share the file you wish to print with the Tech Support. You can contact them via email or live chat.

SallyLynn

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over 2 years ago

About the "brim separation gap" setting:
It seems like adding a gap between the object and the brim would defeat the purpose of the brim. When would I set this to > 0?

Same Old Shane

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over 2 years ago

the small gap makes it a bit easier to remove from the printer when it is done and also from removing the brim. For your question, if you were using the brim, and there was still lifting, then you would set it to 0 and you would have to trim the bring away from the model.

ferus

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almost 3 years ago

I was wondering what is the point of a skirt with a distance of 2mm from the model? This is the default settings and I can't think of a scenario where whis would be helpful. If the brim should help with the adhesion then it should be connected to the actual model that is being printed. Or am I missing something?

Giuliano - Official Prusa CS

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almost 3 years ago

Hello. With a 2 mm distance there's no risk that the skirt drags away the print at its beginning if it detaches from the plate. The risk is still minimal if it's closer, though.