PLA won't stick to BVOH supports

S1lent · April 2, 2026, 2:19pm

Hello people,

So I’m currently trying to print a multicolor miniature with a 0.2mm nozzle, using BVOH (or sometimes PVA) as solluble supports. But no matter what I try, I just can’t get PLA print onto my supports.

I tuned my support settings as much as possible, see screenshot (easier than listing it). Also, don’t mind the selected filament for support, BVOH/PVA is not supported by Bambu, so I had to copy and create a new filamentprofile for BVOH.

The BVOH prints as it should, no clogs or stringing whatsoever. Same goes for the other filament. But when the supports and interface layers are finished and the printer wants to start a new “normal” layer, it never sticks and gets blown off.

Though these first layers are miniscule details >1mm, I just can’t seem to figure out why PLA just doesn’t want to stick.

I can’t find anything about this specific issue online. Does someone here print with BVOH?

Filament used: Fiberlogy BVOH, Bambu PVA and Bambu PLA. Filament is also dried beforehand, multiple times between certain amount of prints and always stored within an AMS. Profiles are tuned to print optimally with 0.2mm with the least amount of time waste on the primingtower without any defects or gaps in the print.

Printer that I’m using is a H2C, but I have the same issues with my H2D.

I tried to play around with temps and cooling settings, but nothing helped.

I know I now only posted some support parameters, but since all the filament has no issue with printing correctly, I’m not sure what else to post that is relevant. If any other information is requested, I’ll post it right away.

EnoTheThracian · April 2, 2026, 4:08pm

My last print using Fiberlogy BVOH seems to have been at the end of Dec when my H2C was brand new. No major issues (otherwise I’d recall ). Although I may have switched off cooling …

Key were filament settings (Support filament and Soluble filament) and the settings recommended by Fiberlogy:

Two more observations from your settings and explanation:

Is there a particular reason for making the entire support soluble? I usually limit it to the Interface layers only due to price and time.
Best not to minimize priming volumes when using dedicated support filaments.

I did however struggle with PETG for PLA on the H2C for the same reason you are mentioning for BVOH. Turned out I needed to increase the nozzle temp quite a bit (by 15° to 260°). This route may help with BVOH as well, but beware of heat creep! It happens quickly and messily with BVOH!

Not much more I can add without knowing your printer or filament settings but hope it helps,
&

PS: Storing BVOH in the AMS is good. It’ll keep any dessiccant dry (amhik). In my experience, it benfits from redrying after 3 to 5 days in an AMS.
PSS: May be useful:
[Support Filament Usage Guide | Bambu Lab Wiki]
PVA Printing Guide | Bambu Lab Wiki(Support Filament Usage Guide | Bambu Lab Wiki)

S1lent · April 2, 2026, 4:26pm

Hey thanks for replying.

The reason to use BVOH for all supports has several reasons. The model had many small details and parts that need supports (obviously). I tried with regular supports, but those become really difficult to remove and chances are 100% that something might break or warping due to insufficient encapsulation. My BVOH is mapped to my left nozzle, no filament switching needed. Since there are so many interface layers, printing only BVOH interface layers wont make a difference and only increase the chances of filament not adhere properly and failing print.

Priming volumes are perfectly tuned, no issues with prints and defects or other issues. Saves me loads of filament and literal a day of printing.

BVOH adhering to PLA is less of an issue that the other way around. I did have to increase the temp by 20°c, like you did.

EnoTheThracian · April 2, 2026, 6:37pm

Yeah, I understand that. I still try to limit the use of BVOH as it is €170/kg versus €12/kg for PLA in bulk. Still, where it does make the difference between a good and a bad print, I understand.

For PLA to stick to the BVOH? That translates to close to 240°C for the PLA?
I did notice some differences between my X1 and H2C regarding nozzle temps. The PLA/BVOH combo worked great using the basic settings on my X1. But above ~235°C, it was the end of the line for BVOH. Not just heat creep but actual decomposition.
On the H2 however, I do have the impression that many materials can run a little hotter. I haven’t tried to go that high with BVOH though.

&

S1lent · April 2, 2026, 7:14pm

Yeh, BVOH is certainly expensive, but this is a 0.2mm nozzle print with minimum primingtower waste. For my current print my total support cost is 16grams. Only for certain exceptions I would use BVOH with a 0.4mm nozzle, but rarely.

For PLA to stick to the BVOH? That translates to close to 240°C for the PLA?

No no, I had to increase the temp for BVOH from 220 to 240 to let it stick to the PLA. PLA is still at 220c, I did try to reduce the temp, but that would only increase warping. Tried to play with lower bed temp, nothing. Tried with a low heated chamber at 40c to see if a stable enviroment would help, nothing.

Bigger details can stick, but its the really small details that matter, since thats where the print continues to grow from. You can imagine printing something for 35 hours only to have a failed print because the first 2 layers of those details failed to adhere to the BVOH.

EnoTheThracian · April 2, 2026, 7:58pm

Ah, thanks. That is an important data point for me . On my X1 and with a 0.4mm nozzle, BVOH starts to decompose. So this kinda carefully confirms that temps could be a little higher on the H2-series.

It is a matter of when, not if Been there, done that, still doing it
Currently printing K-Pop Demon Hunters for my daughter. 6 X 0.2mm nozzles on the H2C, layer height 0.08mm, PETG as a support interface. Of course, that is way out of the print profiles posted on MakerWorld. Every plate has some trial and error in it Now I just need that PLA Matte plum to be back in stock…

Best wishes and many thanks,
Yours,
Eno