About Ultem® PEI & 3D Printing:
Ultem®/PEI (polyetherimide) has struck the 3D printing world as a high performance building surface/platform for 3D printing beds. Ultem®/PEI offers extreme heat resistance, coupled with high mechanical strength, stiffness, UV stability, and broad chemical resistance. This combination of properties allows this film to be utilized in a wide variety of demanding new design concepts including aerospace, automotive, and even medical applications. PEI is a functional product for 3D printing due to its extremely smooth finish, high temperature resistance, and ability to provide print placement security while releasing prints smoothly. Ultem®/PEI is ideal for ABS and PLA filament however it also can be used with other filament types. For easy installation, our sheets are backed with high temp 3M™ Acrylic Adhesive- Easy remove liner. Peel, place and begin printing (no self laminating required). Ultem/PEI is a “no surface prep” material which allows for no major surface modifications like applying special solutions or tapes before each print. CS Hyde PEI sheets are Ultem® 1000 grade, Ultem® is a registered trademark of GE Plastics. Used with Permission. 

Adhesive Temperature:

Short term (minutes/hours)- 400°F (204°C)
Long term (days/weeks)- 300°F (149°C)

Please Note:
(conversions from thousands to inch.)
3 mil. = .003"
5 mil. = .005"
10 mil. = .01"
20 mil. = .02"
30 mil. = .03"
40 mil. - .04"

*NOTE: Adhesive can be applied to either (Matte) side or (Gloss) side of Ultem® Film.
(Standard method: Adhesive is applied to the Matte side of the film, unless customer advises otherwise).

*International Customers: SHIPPING CALCULATOR COSTS MAY VARY! Email: Resources@cshyde.com with zip code for a shipping estimate

FEP Film or FEP Tape consists of optically clear Teflon™ film made with Teflon® fluoropolymers. FEP  is used in Stereolithography (SLA), a special form of 3D Printing that works by focusing an ultraviolet (UV) laser onto a vat of photopolymer resin. FEP works well in this style of printing due to its excellent transmission of UV rays, low gas and vapor permeability as well as anti-stick and low friction properties. Other key properties include optical clarity, smooth finish, hydrophobic, superior dimensional stability, immense chemical resistance, excellent electrical properties, and high service temperatures of up to 400°F (200°C). FEP is constructed with silicone adhesive (-100°F to 400°F), which allows for greater adhesion, easy application, and clean removal. FEP without adhesive is also available for welding, heat sealing, and splicing film applications (See Films, FEP).

CS Hyde FEP tape or film can be applied to the resin vat of most DLP, SLA, LCD 3d Printers. FEP tape is backed with silicone adhesive which resists oxygen, ozone, and UV light. Although silicone is the standard adhesive for FEP, acrylic is available upon request. Adhesives help fuse the FEP to the vat, creating a seal between both the print surface and the vat. CS Hyde FEP Tape is available in sheets with peel off liner or in self wound rolls cut to your specifications. Sheets however make the FEP easier to apply. Standard FEP tape is available in .002” film with .0015” silicone adhesive- total .0035” and widths- 1/8”-13”. Other thicknesses are available. FEP film is available in thicknesses .0005” up to .020” sold by the lineal foot, sheet or roll.

*CS Hyde Company has capabilities to cut FEP film to any specification, including specific 3D print bed requirements.

*CS Hyde Company can apply a variety of 3M adhesives customized to specific film size.

Since the 1960’s Kapton® has been a high performance material for applications in industries such as aircraft, spacecraft, and x-ray technology. Today Kapton® has transitioned into 3D Printing. The 3D printing world has found Kapton® to be a functional print surface for most 3D Printers. The most common filaments printed on Kapton® ® Tape include thermoplastic polymers such as ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and PLA (Polylactic Acid). A recurring problem with printing ABS filaments on non-Kapton® surfaces is that parts tend to shrink while they are cooled. Kapton® tapes hold prints firmly in place and retain heat to prevent filaments from cooling too fast. Allowing the filaments to be cooled at a steady pace enables the prints to be easily removed from the surface. Other Kapton® properties include superior dielectric strength, high temperature and chemical resistance; tear, puncture, and abrasion resistance- all qualities suited for a printing surface.

Kapton® is available with a pressure sensitive adhesive system on one or both sides. Single sided Kapton® tape w/ silicone adhesive is the most commonly purchased. Kapton® Tape is available in thicknesses: (.001”, .002”, .005”). Other versions of Kapton® tape include ESD (Electro-Static Dissipative with silicone adhesive) or Kapton® with acrylic adhesive. Kapton® tape can be used as a fastener for other printing components due to its heat resistance of 500°F (260°C).

*CS Hyde Company has capabilities to cut Kapton® to any specification, including specific 3D print bed requirements.

*CS Hyde Company can apply a variety of 3M adhesives customized to specific film size.

Polyester (PET) Tape with silicone adhesive is a low cost alternative yet efficient surface material for 3D Printing. Polyester tapes offer excellent thermal, abrasion, and chemical resistance while maintaining flexibility. PET Tape with silicone adhesive allows the tape to adhere to tough to stick surfaces and can be removed cleanly with no residuals. PET Tapes provide a smooth dependable surface platform for 3D designs.

Polyester (PET) Tape is also used for high temperature masking tape. Applications include powder coating, spray coating, plating, electro-plating, anodizing, and high temperature splicing tape.

Kapton® (Polyimide) Tape (-100°F to +500°F) is used when temperatures exceed that of Polyester (up to 400°F).

*CS Hyde Company has capabilities to cut PET to any specification, including specific 3D print bed requirements.

*CS Hyde Company can apply a variety of 3M adhesives customized to specific film size.

3M™ UV14 “Painters Tape” has been a trademark print surface for many years now. ABS and PLA prints adhere well to the tape, and parts are easily removable. This tape can easily be applied and removed if required for a new print. Many 3D printing enthusiasts have strayed away from this tape due to the lack of roll width, requiring them to apply several strips to their print bed. Look no further, CS Hyde Company can cut to width, sheet, or part upon request.

Custom Print Bed Dimensions Availible: Email resources@cshyde.com for your print bed quote.

Ultem®/PEI (polyetherimide) has struck the 3D printing world as a high performance material for 3D printing beds. Ultem®/PEI film enables 3D printing enthusiasts to produce both ABS and PLA prints. This film offers extreme heat resistance, coupled with high mechanical strength, stiffness, UV stability, and broad chemical resistance. This combination of properties allows this film to be utilized in a wide variety of demanding new design concepts including aerospace, automotive, and even medical applications. PEI is a functional product for 3D printing due to its extremely smooth finish, high temperature resistance, and ability to provide print placement security while releasing prints smoothly. Ultem/PEI is a “no surface prep” material which allows for no major surface modifications like applying special solutions or tapes before each print. We do recommend a light wipe down of the sheet with isopropyl alcohol once in awhile.

* (If possible) Recalibrate your machine after install.

 (Similar to PEEK, Ultem® can be considered a more cost effective solution if continuous temperatures are below 338°F). Ultem®/PEI has a UL94 flame resistance rating of VTM-0, is FDA compliant, EU Food Contact Compliant, and ISO10993 compliant in natural color.

Adhesive Temperature:

Short term (minutes/hours)- 400°F (204°C)
Long term (days/weeks)- 300°F (149°C)


Please Note:

3 mil. = .003"
5 mil. = .005"
10 mil. = .01"
20 mil. = .02"
40 mil. - .04"

*CS Hyde Company has capabilities to cut Ultem®/PEI film to any specification, including specific 3D print bed requirements.

*CS Hyde Company can apply a variety of 3M™ adhesives customized to specific film size.

*NOTE: Adhesive can be applied to either (Matte) side or (Gloss) side of Ultem® Film.
(Standard method: Adhesive is applied to the Matte side of the film, unless customer advises otherwise).

*International Customers: SHIPPING CALCULATOR COSTS MAY VARY! Email: Resources@cshyde.com with zip code for a shipping estimate

 Auto-leveling sensors (Induction Sensors) have become one of the most desired 3D Printer Modifications. These new sensors accelerate prep time limiting countless adjustments to springs and screws on the print bed. Using a sensor helps obtain more accurate calibrations creating a more level bed, limiting the possibilities of prints coming undone on one or corner or nozzle jams from incorrect nozzle height.

However upgrading the sensor limits the type of surface material you can use on the print plate. Induction sensors (using electro magnetism) use aluminum to detect the build plate. Through our research we have found that PEI is the top of the charts as a build surface. However PEI can not be used with a induction sensor without using a metalized material (aluminum) underneath.  Here at CS Hyde we wanted to provide a cost effective solution to the PEI/Sensor issue. Our aluminum foil sheets backed with high temp adhesive allow users to securely place the aluminum sheet onto the glass bed, place PEI sheet on top of aluminum sheet, calibrate the sensor, and print right onto the PEI with no issues. Our combination of aluminum sheets and thin PEI sheets make this a hassel free project, without purchasing a costly aluminum build plate. You can locate our catergory of PEI in the 3D Printing category. We recommend using silicone backed PEI, due to the temperature properties.

We also supply aluminum foil discs that can be strategically placed at 4 points, if you do not want to cover your glass entirely.

Temperature Range: -30ºF to 325ºF (-34ºC to 163ºC)
Foil Thickness: 3.0 mils (0.08mm) 
Tape Thickness w/out Liner: 4.5 mils (0.12mm)