Brim vs Mouse Ears: Choosing Where a Print Needs Grip
Compare a full brim with local mouse ears for lifting corners. Inspect OrcaSlicer previews, tune the contact gap and account for edge cleanup.
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Published work · 2 guides
Slicing & Calibration Writer
Sophie Kim
Seattle, Washington
Sophie focuses on what happens between the model file and the finished print. Her guides connect slicer settings with actual print behavior so readers know which parameter to change, why it matters, and when to leave a working profile alone.
- Focus
- Slicing, calibration, print quality
- Approach
- One variable at a time
- Best for
- Improving quality, speed, and consistency
About Sophie Kim
Sophie's drafts pay attention to the small settings that often get blamed for much larger problems: first-layer height, flow ratio, pressure advance, retraction, cooling, wall order, support interface, bridge speed, and acceleration.
She avoids turning calibration into an endless ritual. A printer should be tuned enough to solve a visible problem or meet a clear goal. Once a profile is stable, the next step is usually printing something useful rather than running another twenty calibration models.
Background & approach
- Work background
- Slicer configuration, printer profiles, dimensional calibration, extrusion tuning, supports, surface-quality optimization, speed tuning, and print-failure diagnosis.
- Training record
- Controlled calibration workflows, slicer-profile comparisons, test-model documentation, dimensional measurement, print-quality evaluation, and one-variable-at-a-time troubleshooting.
- Knowledge area
- OrcaSlicer, PrusaSlicer, Cura-style workflows, flow ratio, temperature towers, pressure advance, retraction, cooling, acceleration, support interfaces, wall generation, and first-layer tuning.
- Scope
- Slicer and calibration guidance; firmware-level modifications and machine-specific engineering changes require additional technical documentation.
Editorial strengths
- Connects slicer settings to visible print behavior.
- Keeps calibration controlled and repeatable.
- Avoids unnecessary tuning when an existing profile already meets the goal.
How this author works
- Identifies the visible print problem before changing slicer settings.
- Changes one meaningful variable at a time and keeps test conditions consistent.
- Stops calibration when the improvement is too small to matter for the intended print.
Articles by Sophie Kim
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Choose smooth, textured or satin PEI around material compatibility, underside finish, part footprint and release, with checks for your printer and plate.