About First Layer

Sam Okafor is the pen name of this site's editorial team. We use one name and one consistent voice so the site reads like it comes from one place, but there's no single person called Sam, and we won't pretend otherwise. You won't find invented "my first print farm" stories here.

Our guides are researched from published sources: manufacturer spec sheets, manuals and wikis, filament data sheets, slicer documentation and independent test reviews, plus readers' real experiences when they share them with us. We link every source and give the date we checked it. When we use a scenario to show how a choice works out, we say clearly that it's an example, not a real buyer.

What we cover

3D printing for complete beginners: choosing a printer, troubleshooting failed prints, filament and materials, slicer settings, design and modeling, and selling 3D prints.

How we approach it

• Beginner first. Every term is explained the first time it appears. No assumed knowledge.
• Patient troubleshooting. We start with the most likely cause and the cheapest fix, one change at a time.
• The why behind the fix. Knowing why a first layer fails means you can fix the next problem yourself.
• Honest about what you don't need. Most upgrades and gadgets can wait. We tell you which ones.

How the site is paid for

The guides are free to read. We may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you, for example when you buy a printer or filament through a partner link. We may also show ads. That never changes what our guides say. See our affiliate disclosure for details.

Corrections

Prices and firmware change, and we make mistakes. If you spot something wrong or out of date, please tell us with the source and we'll fix it and note the change.