3D Printing Layer Height Explained
Layer height is the single setting that most affects surface quality. Too high and every print looks rough. Too low and print times skyrocket. Here is how to choose the right value for every type of print.
What Is Layer Height?
Layer height is the thickness of each individual slice the printer deposits. An object printed at 0.20mm layer height is built from layers that are each 0.20mm thick. At 0.08mm, each layer is less than a tenth of a millimetre. The total number of layers equals the object height divided by the layer height.
A 40mm tall logo cap at 0.08mm requires 500 layers. At 0.20mm it requires 200 layers. The 0.08mm version takes roughly 2.5x longer to print but produces noticeably sharper artwork and smoother curved surfaces.
Layer Height Reference Guide
Choosing the right layer height for the job saves time without sacrificing quality where it matters.
| Layer Height | Quality | Speed | Best Used For |
| 0.08mm | Maximum | Very slow | Logo caps, mana chips, fine miniature detail |
| 0.12mm | Excellent | Slow | Miniatures, windows, balustrade posts, hinge holes |
| 0.16mm | Very good | Moderate | Deck box caps, sleeve separators, general quality prints |
| 0.20mm | Good | Fast | Deck box bodies, mold box walls, structural parts |
| 0.28-0.30mm | Draft | Very fast | Prototypes, test fits, functional parts where appearance does not matter |
The 25-75% Rule
Layer height has a practical ceiling based on nozzle diameter. The general rule is that layer height should stay between 25% and 75% of the nozzle diameter for reliable layer adhesion and consistent extrusion.
With a standard 0.4mm nozzle, that means practical layer heights from 0.10mm to 0.30mm. Going below 0.10mm produces diminishing quality returns and significantly higher clog risk. Going above 0.30mm on a 0.4mm nozzle risks poor layer bonding and inconsistent surfaces.
This is why OreKo’s finest recommended setting is 0.08mm rather than lower — it is the practical floor for a 0.4mm nozzle where results are consistently good. See our nozzle guide for more: 3D Printer Nozzle Guide.
Layer Height in Practice: OreKo Settings
Real examples from tested OreKo models showing why each layer height was chosen.
0.08mm — Logo Caps
The Jolly Roger skull on the One Piece deck box cap has fine raised lines representing the skull’s features and crossbones. At 0.20mm those lines print soft and rounded. At 0.08mm they are sharp, legible, and display-quality. The cap is small so the extra print time is 20-30 minutes — worth it every time.
0.12mm — Miniatures
The Miniature Window with Shutters and Planter has hinge holes that must fit 1.75mm filament precisely. At 0.20mm the dimensional accuracy drifts enough that hinge pins bind or rattle. At 0.12mm the holes are clean, accurate, and the shutters open and close smoothly.
0.20mm — Box Bodies
The deck box body is a simple rectangular form. The exterior surface quality at 0.20mm is perfectly acceptable for a functional deck box. Printing the body at 0.08mm would add two hours of print time with no visible quality benefit on flat and vertical surfaces.