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HIPS settings for the Bambu Lab A1

⚠ Possible with tweaks Advanced Support

These are hardware-tuned starting settings for printing HIPS on the Bambu Lab A1. The Bambu Lab A1 pairs a direct-drive extruder with an all-metal hotend on an open frame, and tops out at 300°C hotend / 100°C bed. Against HIPS's ideal range (225–245°C), that lands us at 235°C nozzle and 100°C bed. HIPS is a break-away or limonene-dissolvable support best paired with ABS in an enclosure.

Quick answer: 235°C nozzle · 100°C bed · 63 mm/s · 1 mm retraction · 0% part fan. Change one setting at a time and validate with a small calibration model.
235°
Hotend
100°
Bed
63
mm/s
0%
Part fan

Recommended HIPS profile

Hotend temperature235°C (tower 225–245°C)
Bed temperature100°C
Print speed63 mm/s
Retraction1 mm (direct drive)
Part cooling fan0%
Bed adhesionPairs with ABS; dissolves in limonene.
NozzleBrass 0.4 mm is fine
First layer speed22–32 mm/s; same bed temp, verify Z offset
Flow / extrusion multiplierStart at 100%; calibrate flow before touching retraction
DryingDry if the spool pops, strings unusually, or the surface looks rough
⚠️ HIPS warps without an enclosure and the Bambu Lab A1 is open-frame. Block drafts, raise the bed temp, add a brim, and consider a simple enclosure for tall parts.
💡 Best uses for HIPS: dissolvable supports for ABS. Estimate the material cost of your next HIPS print with the filament cost calculator.

How HIPS behaves

StrengthFlexibilityHeatEaseDurabilityDetail

HIPS property profile

Strength 50
Flexibility 25
Heat resistance 60
Ease of printing 45
Durability 45

Calibration order

  1. Dry the spool if it shows moisture symptoms, then confirm the nozzle and build plate are clean.
  2. Print a temperature tower inside the 225–245°C range; pick the lowest temperature with strong layer bonding and clean overhangs.
  3. Calibrate flow, then pressure/linear advance if your firmware supports it.
  4. Tune retraction last — more distance is not always better, especially on the direct-drive Bambu Lab A1.

HIPS brands & what to expect

HIPS is a break-away or limonene-dissolvable support best paired with ABS, and it prints much like ABS itself — warm, enclosed and draft-free. Brands vary mainly in how cleanly they dissolve in limonene.

🔎 Because HIPS wants the same enclosure and temperatures as ABS, it’s an easy dual-material partner: print it in the same chamber conditions and dissolve or snap it off afterwards.

Common HIPS problems on the Bambu Lab A1

SymptomLikely causeFix
WarpingOpen frame / draft (same as ABS)Enclose, brim, minimal cooling.
Support hard to removeInterface too tightIncrease support Z-gap; use limonene for a clean dissolve.

On the Bambu Lab A1 specifically: it is open-frame, so the warping fixes above are the ones that matter most — an enclosure or draft shield does more for HIPS here than any slicer tweak.

HIPS troubleshootingSymptoms, likely causes and a safe test orderCompare HIPS across printersMaterial ranges and every per-printer profile

FAQ

What temperature should I print HIPS on the Bambu Lab A1?
Start at 235°C for the hotend and 100°C for the bed, then run a temperature tower across 225–245°C to dial in your exact filament brand. Our temperature tower planner builds the tower for you.
What print speed works for HIPS on the Bambu Lab A1?
Around 63 mm/s is a safe starting point. This printer can go faster once the profile is tuned, but start conservative for clean walls. Check your real speed ceiling with the max volumetric flow calculator.
What retraction should I use for HIPS?
Use about 1 mm of retraction (direct drive needs very little). If you see stringing with HIPS, raise retraction speed before distance and dry the filament first.
Do I need an enclosure for HIPS on the Bambu Lab A1?
Yes — HIPS really wants an enclosure and the Bambu Lab A1 is open, so expect warping on large parts without one.
Do I need a hardened nozzle for HIPS?
No. HIPS is not abrasive, so the stock brass 0.4 mm nozzle on the Bambu Lab A1 is fine.

Reviewed 2026-08-18. See how these starting settings are calculated. Numbers are conservative starting points, not lab measurements.