When you think of 3D printing, you probably think of heat—molten plastic, heated nozzles, and warm build beds working together in harmony. So, what the heck is a cold (or cool) plate, and why would anyone want one?
Let’s dive in.
What Is a Cold or Cool Plate?
A cold plate—also called a cool plate—is a type of 3D printer build plate that operates at or near room temperature, rather than using a traditional heated bed. It might receive a small amount of heat from the bed itself, but for the most part, it stays cool and relies on other strategies to keep filament in place during printing.
Sounds counterintuitive, right? But it actually makes a lot of sense for certain applications.
Why Use a Cold Plate?
Here are a few reasons you might want to ditch the heat:
1. Lower Power Consumption
Running a heated bed can suck up a lot of electricity, especially on longer prints or across a farm of machines. Using a cold plate dramatically reduces energy use, which means lower electricity bills—a big plus if you’re operating multiple printers.
2. Increased Safety
Cool plates are classroom-friendly. Teachers and students don’t have to worry about accidental burns while removing prints or swapping plates. If you’re running tech labs, makerspaces, or teaching kids, this is a safer option.
3. Faster Cool-Down Times
Filaments like PLA and PETG don’t need much bed heat anyway. In fact, prints often release from the plate faster when the bed isn’t hot, reducing turnaround time between prints.
Build Plates Made for Low-Heat Printing
If you’re going the cold plate route, don’t just grab any old surface. You’ll want one engineered for lower temps—like the BIQU CryoGrip Build Plates.
🧊 Frostbite
Designed for PLA and PETG, Frostbite features a rough texture that provides excellent grip with minimal heat. It’s great if you’re looking for high adhesion without cranking up the bed temp.
🧊 Glacier
Glacier supports a wider range of materials, including ABS, PETG, PA, and PLA. It has a smoother surface and can handle nozzle temperatures up to 300°C.
Both plates feature:
• A seven-layer construction
• Magnetic spring steel
• A durable polymer coating
• Compatibility with Bambu Lab X1, P1, A1, A1 Mini, and HD printers
What About Adhesion?
Since you’re not relying on heat to hold your print down, you’ll need alternative adhesion aids like glue sticks, hairspray, or the specially textured surface of plates like Frostbite and Glacier. These methods can provide enough grip for materials that don’t warp much.
When You Do Need Heat
If you’re printing materials prone to warping—like ABS—you’re still going to need a heated bed. But for low-warp filaments and energy-conscious printing, a cold plate is a smart, beginner-friendly option.
A cold plate isn’t actually “cold”—it’s just not hot. And that can be a good thing. Whether you’re running a print farm, teaching a class, or just trying to save on your energy bill, switching to a cool build plate might be the move.
Featured Products:
BIQU CryoGrip Frostbite: https://amzn.to/3ShMGru
BIQU CryoGrip Glacier: https://amzn.to/3FpQaFn