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TPU Print Settings: The Complete Flexible-Filament Guide

TPU is the go-to flexible filament — rubber-like, tough and abrasion-resistant, perfect for phone cases, gaskets, grips and wheels. It is not hard to print, but it breaks the rules that work for PLA: go too fast or retract too much and the soft filament buckles instead of feeding. Master a few habits and TPU becomes reliable.

In this guide series

TPU at a glance

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a flexible, rubber-like filament that bends, stretches and springs back. It resists abrasion and impact far better than rigid plastics, which is why it lasts in parts that flex repeatedly.

  • Hotend: 210–235°C (start at 225°C)
  • Bed: 40–60°C
  • Speed: 15–30 mm/s — slow is the golden rule
  • Retraction: minimal — the biggest source of jams is too much
  • Cooling: 40–60% part fan
  • Extruder: direct drive strongly preferred; Bowden must go very slow

Use TPU for phone cases, gaskets, seals, drive belts, RC tyres, grips and vibration dampers — anything that needs to bend without breaking.

The two rules that make TPU work

  1. Print slowly and steadily. Soft filament compresses like a spring; push it too fast and it buckles in the extruder instead of feeding. Consistent slow speed matters more than any single slicer value. See TPU speed & retraction.
  2. Match the shore hardness to your printer. Softer TPU (85A) is far harder to feed than semi-rigid 95A, especially on a Bowden machine. See TPU shore hardness explained.
💡 Want the exact numbers for your machine? See TPU settings across 25 printers, or pick your printer for a hardware-aware profile.

FAQ

What temperature should TPU print at?
Most TPU prints well between 210 and 235°C, with 225°C a good starting point, on a 40–60°C bed. Speed matters more than temperature for TPU.
Can I print TPU on a Bowden printer?
Yes, but slowly (15–20 mm/s) and with minimal retraction. The long Bowden tube lets flexible filament compress, so a direct-drive extruder makes TPU dramatically easier.
Why does my TPU keep jamming?
Almost always too much speed or retraction, or a gap in the filament path where soft filament can escape. Slow down, cut retraction and make sure the path is tightly constrained.
Does TPU need to be dried?
Yes if it strings or pops — TPU is moisture-sensitive. Dry it at about 50°C for 4–6 hours and print soon after.

More TPU guides

TPU Speed & Retraction: Print Flexibles Without JamsWhy TPU jams and how to stop it: the right slow print speed, minimal retraction,…TPU Shore Hardness Explained (85A, 95A and Beyond)What shore hardness means for TPU: how 85A, 90A and 95A differ in flexibility an…

Reviewed 2026-08-18. Starting points and general guidance — always calibrate for your filament brand and machine.