# Grooves on print surface

**URL:** <https://forum.formlabs.com/t/grooves-on-print-surface/36617>\
**Category:** Form 3/3+\
**Created:** [July 26, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/grooves-on-print-surface/36617 "2023-07-26T14:23:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![OllieB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@OllieB](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/OllieB)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/grooves-on-print-surface/36617/1 "2023-07-26T14:23:19Z")

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Hi, The first few parts off our Form 3+ have given us an unusual surface finish almost similar to what you would expect from a FDM printer.  
Can anyone advise on what is causing this and what way to adjust the printer to get better suface finish.

 ![c0ad797f-8a39-4ff5-ae78-d31b6e0decd6](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/formlabs/original/3X/0/2/0259486d0fd046586a3ea9ca8de18b706ce20396.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Jared](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/jared/32/19570_2.png) [@Jared](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Jared)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2023, 8:02pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/grooves-on-print-surface/36617/2 "2023-07-26T20:02:24Z")

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Hi @OllieB,

Welcome to the Formlabs Forum! Surface finishes like this can be caused by the [layer thickness set](https://support.formlabs.com/s/article/Adjusting-layer-thickness?language=en_US), [model orientation](https://support.formlabs.com/s/article/Model-Orientation?language=en_US), and even the .stl imported into PreForm (sometimes a combination of all three as well).

If you would like you can [Contact our Support Team](https://support.formlabs.com/s/contact-support?language=en_US) and submit that .form file as well as any other photos you may have for review!

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**Author:** ![Andrew\_W](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/andrew_w/32/18585_2.png) [@Andrew\_W](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Andrew_W)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 11:33pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/grooves-on-print-surface/36617/3 "2023-07-27T23:33:25Z")

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As mentioned, it’s a combination of model orientation and layer thickness. Orientate the model so that most of the surfaces are at 45° to the build platform. The images looks like a very shallow surface angle to the build platform.