# Flat spots when printing on build platform

**URL:** <https://forum.formlabs.com/t/flat-spots-when-printing-on-build-platform/20864>\
**Category:** Support & Troubleshooting\
**Created:** [October 19, 2018, 10:06am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/flat-spots-when-printing-on-build-platform/20864 "2018-10-19T10:06:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gareth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba8739/32.png) [@Gareth](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Gareth)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 10:06am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/flat-spots-when-printing-on-build-platform/20864/1 "2018-10-19T10:06:33Z")

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Hey guys, I’ve got a quick question I was hoping to get some help for. When I print models directly on the build platform they have a flat spot where they are touching it.  
Is this a normal thing when printing directly on there, or is there an offset/adjustment I need to make to avoid this?

Thanks,  
Gareth

 ![Flat%20-%20Print%20Issues-resize_2](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/formlabs/original/2X/e/ec84d3240330b19b09ec0ee3d9807a617d7d8e26.jpg) ![Flat%20-%20Print%20Issues-resize_1](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/formlabs/original/2X/b/bfd0d880dd5a8500b385ee7a4cb392b9f08adb01.jpg) ![Flat%20-%20Print%20Issues-resize](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/formlabs/original/2X/b/b1ab578ce77b7b5fccb2b96773b4faf93c832d56.jpg)

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**Author:** ![andywhitw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@andywhitw](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/andywhitw)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 10:18am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/flat-spots-when-printing-on-build-platform/20864/2 "2018-10-19T10:18:10Z")

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form 2 compacts the first 0.5mm to ensure is sticks to the build platform.

I’m sure this is what will be causing the flat spot.

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**Author:** ![andywhitw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@andywhitw](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/andywhitw)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 10:21am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/flat-spots-when-printing-on-build-platform/20864/3 "2018-10-19T10:21:04Z")

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don’t this the shape of a ring in that orientation will work for building directly on the platform as the curved shape gives a very limited contact point. I believe building on the platform is much more suitable for part with large flat features

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**Author:** ![Zachary\_Brackin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4da419/32.png) [@Zachary\_Brackin](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Zachary_Brackin)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/flat-spots-when-printing-on-build-platform/20864/4 "2018-10-19T19:35:20Z")

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The printer uses a high exposure for the first layers to help with adhesion which is causing that. for a ring, you’ll want to start off with one point about 5mm off the build platform.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/formlabs/original/3X/5/b/5bc2bdf993ff27c2e0eecab5010b25626fbb327a.png) [@system](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/flat-spots-when-printing-on-build-platform/20864/5 "2018-11-02T19:35:25Z")

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