With the prints of my latest flower pot design, I had the opportunity to test the new scarf joint feature that was recently added to PrusaSlicer. I was curious about how much of a difference it would make, especially since seams have always been a tricky issue for me, particularly with PET-G filaments.
What Are Scarf Joints in 3D Printing?
If you’ve never heard of scarf joints in 3D printing, here’s a quick explanation: scarf joints are a clever slicing feature designed to improve the way seams are handled. Traditionally, slicers create vertical seams where layer changes happen, which can leave visible blemishes or bumps on the surface of prints. Scarf joints, however, spread the seam across two layers in a tapered or staggered manner, making it much less noticeable.
This feature is especially useful for decorative prints, where aesthetics matter and you want smooth, clean surfaces without distracting imperfections.
My Test Results
For my tests, I used white Fibrology Easy PET-G filament. While this is one of the easier white PET-G filaments to print with, white filaments in general tend to be unforgiving—they show even the slightest printing issues, from uneven extrusion to seam lines. That’s why I was eager to see how well the scarf joint feature would perform under these conditions.
How Did It Turn Out?
I’m thrilled with the outcome! Under regular soft lighting, the seam is practically invisible from a distance. In fact, these are the cleanest seams I’ve ever achieved with PET-G prints.
Initially, I wasn’t expecting much. The release notes for PrusaSlicer didn’t exactly hype up this feature, and I figured it might offer only a marginal improvement. After seeing these results, though, I’m genuinely surprised—and a bit puzzled as to why the developers didn’t promote it more enthusiastically.
That said, when viewed under hard lighting, you can still spot some minor printing artifacts. However, these are no worse than the typical layer lines or the slight inconsistencies you often get with PET-G, particularly with daily use filaments like Fibrology’s (compared to something like Prusament).
Final Thoughts
This is definitely a feature I’ll be using for all my future decorative prints, and I can confidently recommend that you give it a try as well. If you’re someone who prints a lot of aesthetic models where visible seams can detract from the final look, scarf joints might be a game-changer for you.