PCTG print settings
Polycyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate Glycol · Beginner
PCTG (Polycyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate Glycol) prints at 230-250°C with the bed at 70-85°C. No enclosure needed. Dry the filament before printing.
A close cousin of PETG with better impact strength and clarity. Prints at similar settings and strings less.
Settings at a glance
Ranges are typical manufacturer-published figures for this material class, not measurements we took. Always start with your filament maker’s own numbers where they differ. The price is an indicative street price for a 1 kg spool, not a live quote.
Good for
- Clear parts
- Impact-resistant housings
- Anything you would print in PETG but want tougher
Avoid for
- High-temperature service
- Budget-first projects
The problem people actually hit
Availability, more than printing. Fewer brands carry it, so colour choice is narrow compared with PETG.
Drying
Hygroscopic. Dry at 65C for 4-6 hours.
Buying PCTG
PCTG is carried by relatively few brands, so sourcing is a real part of the job rather than an afterthought. Reliable options exist from selected manufacturers, but do not expect the choice of colours you get with PETG. Typical street price is $25-45 per 1 kg spool.
Check before you order
- Diameter 1.75mm unless your printer takes 2.85mm. Check before ordering, not after.
- Published diameter tolerance. ±0.02mm is good, ±0.05mm is loose and shows up as inconsistent extrusion.
- Vacuum-sealed with desiccant. Hygroscopic filament that shipped open has already absorbed moisture and will need drying before its first print.
Not sure this is the right material? Compare all materials.
What you need to print PCTG
Gear that PCTG genuinely requires, with the specification that decides whether a given unit will actually work.
Filament dryer
Must reach at least 65C
PCTG will not print cleanly wet, and many budget dryers stop at 55-60C. Check the maximum temperature before buying, not the marketing copy.
See filament dryer on AmazonAirtight storage with desiccant
Sealed container plus rechargeable desiccant
Drying a spool once achieves nothing if it sits open afterwards. Storage is what keeps the filament usable between prints.
See airtight storage with desiccant on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links above are affiliate links, and using them costs you nothing extra.
PCTG questions
- What temperature do you print PCTG at?
- PCTG prints at a nozzle temperature of 230-250C with the bed at 70-85C. Start at the lower end of the nozzle range and raise it in 5C steps until layers bond cleanly.
- Does PCTG need an enclosure?
- No. PCTG prints fine on an open-frame printer at normal room temperature.
- Do you need to dry PCTG?
- Hygroscopic. Dry at 65C for 4-6 hours.
- What is PCTG good for?
- PCTG suits clear parts, impact-resistant housings, anything you would print in PETG but want tougher. Avoid it for high-temperature service, budget-first projects.
- How much does PCTG cost?
- A 1 kg spool of PCTG typically sells for $25-45. That is an indicative street price rather than a live figure, so check the retailer for today's cost.
PCTG or PETG?
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) prints at 220-250°C with a 70-85°C bed and needs no enclosure. The usual step up from PLA. Tougher, more heat resistant, still printable without an enclosure. The trade is stringing and fussier bed adhesion.
Read the PETG settings guide →After the print
The workshop steps that matter most for PCTG.