Ghosting (also called ringing) appears as wavy ripple patterns on the print surface, typically visible near sharp corners and edges. It is caused by vibrations in the printer frame or motion system that create echo-like artifacts.
Common Causes
- Print speed too high — Fast direction changes cause the frame to vibrate
- High acceleration values — Aggressive acceleration amplifies oscillations
- Loose belts — Slack in the motion system allows unwanted movement
- Heavy print head — More mass means more inertia and stronger vibrations
- Unstable printer frame — A wobbly frame cannot dampen vibrations effectively
- Loose screws or bearings — Any mechanical play introduces resonance
Recommended Fixes
- Reduce print speed to 40-60 mm/s and observe improvement
- Lower acceleration settings (try 500-1000 mm/s² as a starting point)
- Tighten belts to the correct tension — they should twang like a guitar string
- Place the printer on a heavy, stable surface or use vibration-dampening feet
- Tighten all frame screws and check for loose carriage bearings
- Enable input shaper (Klipper) or linear advance to compensate for resonance
- Reduce jerk settings to smooth out direction changes