Step 9 of 9 · Final Step
Shrinkage
Compensation
Compensate for material shrinkage and make your parts dimensionally accurate.
⏱
Time
20–40 min
📊
Difficulty
Intermediate
⚡
Impact
High
Typical shrinkage
~0.1–0.3%
Low shrinkage. Very stable.
This can vary by brand, color, filament age, and storage conditions. That is why we recommend calibrating it instead of using a value generated by ChatGPT.
① CAD Model
Designed size
100.00 mm
② Printed Part
Actual size · shrunk
99.65 mm
③ Compensated
After compensation
100.00 mm
1
Choose the length
Select the calibration bar size you want to print.
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2
Download & print the file
Download the model and print it at 100% scale.
▤
3
Measure the print
Measure the printed bar carefully on the top face.
📏
4
Insert the measured value
Enter the measured value to get your shrinkage calibration value.
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ℹ️
Not every dimensional error is a Steps/mm issue. Materials shrink differently and require individual compensation — even on a perfectly calibrated printer.
1. Choose calibration bar length
Select the size of the shrinkage bar you want to print.
✓ Expected measurement: 200.00 mm
2. Download the calibration print
You selected: 200 mm
Model size: 200 × 30 × 4 mm
Download the calibration print below.
👇
🟧Printablesby PrusaDownload STL↗⬜MakerWorldby Bambu LabDownload STL↗Download the calibration print below.
👇
Why this matters
Materials shrink during cooling. Even a perfectly calibrated printer can print undersized parts.
PLAPETGABSASAPA
...all produce different final dimensions.
⚠️ Misconception
Your printer can be perfectly square, perfectly calibrated, and still print undersized.
That is material shrinkage.
⭐ Pro Tip
Calibrate Flow Rate / EM before this step. EM affects your measured dimensions.
3
Enter MeasurementsXY Length (selected calibration bar)
Print the selected CN3D calibration bar at 100% scale. Measure the top face length from end to end.
mm
Z (optional — measure a vertical dimension)
Measure any printed object of known Z height. Z shrinkage is usually smaller than XY.
4
Your Results📦
Measure the printed bar and click Calculate to see your compensation values.
Apply Scale in Your Slicer
Where to find the shrinkage settings
🟦OrcaSlicer
Calibration →
Shrinkage Compensation
XY Shrinkage (single field)
Z Shrinkage (separate)
🟩Bambu Studio
Process →
Advanced →
Shrinkage Compensation
XY Shrinkage (single field)
Z Shrinkage (separate)
🟧PrusaSlicer
Print Settings →
Advanced →
Dimensional adjustments
Scale X, Scale Y (same value)
Scale Z (separate)
🔵Ultimaker Cura
Preferences → Machine Settings
Printers → Machine Settings
Horizontal Expansion
Vertical Expansion
Typical shrinkage by material (XY)
PLA
~0.1–0.3%
Low shrinkage. Very stable.
PETG
~0.2–0.5%
Low-medium. Usually slight compensation.
ABS
~0.5–1.5%
High. Compensation often required.
ASA
~0.4–1.2%
Similar to ABS.
PA
~1.0–2.0%
Very high. Dry filament mandatory.
PC
~0.5–0.7%
Medium. Consistent.
TPU
~0.5–1.5%
Variable by Shore hardness.
* This can vary depending on the brand, color, filament age, moisture content, and storage conditions. That is why we recommend calibrating it yourself instead of using a value generated by ChatGPT.
🎉 Calibration Complete!
All 9 calibration steps done. Re-calibrate when changing filament brand, color, or printing environment.
⊗Common Mistakes
⊗Trying to fix shrinkage with Flow Rate / EM
⊗Trying to fix shrinkage with Skew Correction
⊗Changing Steps/mm to compensate for shrinkage
⊗Applying one factor to every filament or every printer
⊗Scaling the print to a random size
⊗Using the wrong calibration bar length for your measurement
🎉 Final Step!
After this, your printer is fully calibrated. All 9 steps complete.