3D printing small parts or models with narrow contact areas often leads to adhesion issues. Warping, curling, or outright detaching from the build plate are common problems, especially when printing with materials like ABS. One proven solution is the use of “mouse ears”, a simple yet highly effective adhesion aid.
What are mouse ears?
Mouse ears are small, flat discs (like little “ears”) added to the corners or edges of your print. They slightly widen the footprint of the first layer, improving bed adhesion and reducing the chances of warping.
Unlike a full brim, which surrounds the entire model, mouse ears are strategically placed only where needed—usually under sharp corners or small contact points—so they are easier to remove and consume less filament.
Adding mouse ears in OrcaSlicer
OrcaSlicer (a popular fork of Bambu Studio) has recently included a feature for custom mouse ears, making it easy to add them exactly where you want. This feature was discussed in GitHub issue #3778, where users requested mouse ears for localized adhesion instead of using a brim.
Here’s how you can use them:
1. Enable mouse ears in the slicer
- Open OrcaSlicer and load your model.
- Go to the Supports menu (where OrcaSlicer puts options related to adhesion aids).
- Look for a section like Brim / Mouse Ears (the exact placement can vary with version).
- Enable Mouse Ears.
2. Configure mouse ear settings
OrcaSlicer allows you to customize:
- Ear Diameter: Controls how wide each mouse ear is.
- Ear Thickness (or layers): Determines how many layers the ear will be.
- Placement: Some implementations let you manually select corners.
This gives you much finer control than a brim. You can make the ears big enough to help with adhesion but still easy to trim off.
3. Preview before slicing
Always check the Preview after slicing. Ensure the mouse ears appear only where you expect. This helps avoid unwanted artifacts on the print.
Advantages over brims
- Targeted adhesion: Only adds material where needed.
- Easier cleanup: You don’t have to peel off a full brim around the whole model.
- Saves filament: Uses less extra material.
- Less scarring: Avoids leaving marks on the sides of the model that brims sometimes do.
Best practices
- Use mouse ears on sharp corners or small footprints: These are the most likely to lift.
- Tune bed temperature and first layer: Even with mouse ears, a well-calibrated first layer is essential.
- Combine with glue stick or PEI sheet for extra adhesion: Especially for ABS or other warp-prone filaments.
1. Load your 3D model & open the right panel
- Launch OrcaSlicer and import your STL/3MF.
- Click on the Process or Print Settings tab (typically on the right).
You’ll find adhesion options nearby, alongside “Brim,” “Skirt,” etc. forum.creality.com
2. Enable Mouse Ear brim type
- In the Brim & Adhesion section, change Brim Type to Mouse Ears.
- OrcaSlicer will layer small circular discs at sharp corners or thin contact points. forum.creality.com
- +53dpros.com
- +5reddit.com
- +5
3. Adjust settings
- Diameter: Size of each ear (e.g., 5–8 mm).
- Thickness / Layers: Try 1–3 first for easy removal.
- Placement options (if available): Some versions let you choose between inner, outer, or both ears. Issue #3778 mentions a desired “outer-only” option github.com
- .
Adjust according to your print size and corner geometry.
4. Preview the slicer result
- Switch to Preview Mode.
- Verify mouse ears appear only where needed—tiny round pads beneath corners or edges.
This preview prevents unwanted artifacts and ensures ears will be printed.
5. Slice & print
- Slice the model and send the G-code to your printer.
- The ears will print as part of the first layer.
Users often report that one or two might occasionally be missed—a slicer bug reported on Reddit youtube.com
+4—but generally reliability is good.
6. Post-print cleanup
- Once cooled, simply peel off the mouse ears—they’re easy to remove and leave minimal marks.
- You can lightly file/sand any tiny marks at the base.
Quick recap
StepActionBenefit1Import & open settingsAccess adhesion options2Select Mouse EarsAdds targeted adhesion only where needed3Configure diameter/settingsTailor to model geometry4Review in PreviewEnsure ear placement correctness5Slice & printPrint with localized pads6Remove ears & finishEasy removal, clean surface
Tips from the community
On Reddit, one user said:
“I hate removing brims…so I wanted to try mouse-ear brims… in the preview everything looks fine…” github.com
This highlights why mouse ears solve many common leveling and adhesion frustrations.
Final thoughts
Mouse ears are a smart, efficient alternative to full brims—less filament waste, faster cleanup, and minimal scarring. OrcaSlicer’s dedicated Mouse Ears feature, backed by community support, makes it easy to reduce warping on tricky prints. If you’re battling corner lifting or sharp edges lifting, this tool is essential.
Mouse ears are a lightweight, practical alternative to full brims, and thanks to OrcaSlicer’s implementation, they’re now easy to add and customize. If you’re struggling with corner lift or minor warping, give them a try on your next print.