Layer Height in 3D Printing: How It Affects Quality, Speed & Cost

What is Layer Height?

Layer height is the thickness of each individual layer deposited by the 3D printer. It is measured in millimeters and is one of the most critical settings affecting the final quality, print time, and cost of any 3D print.

Common Layer Heights and When to Use Them

0.1mm — Fine Detail

• Best for: Figurines, jewelry molds, architectural models, presentation prototypes
• Result: Nearly invisible layer lines, smooth surface
• Trade-off: Prints 3–4x slower than 0.3mm, higher cost

0.2mm — Standard Quality (Most Common)

• Best for: General purpose parts, prototypes, most everyday prints
• Result: Good surface finish, slight layer lines visible on curved surfaces
• Trade-off: Balanced speed and quality — the default for most prints

0.3mm — Draft/Fast

• Best for: Functional parts where appearance doesn't matter, early-stage prototypes
• Result: Visible layer lines, lower resolution
• Trade-off: Fastest and cheapest option per print

Layer Height and Strength

Contrary to what many people assume, layer height has less impact on part strength than infill percentage does. A 0.2mm print with 30% infill is generally stronger than a 0.1mm print with 10% infill.

What We Use at Jordan3DPrint

Our standard prints use 0.2mm layer height for the best balance of quality and price. For detailed display items we offer 0.1mm fine detail printing. Contact us on WhatsApp to discuss your project's requirements.