# Need a smooth first layer / e-step and z offset woes

**URL:** <https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/need-a-smooth-first-layer-e-step-and-z-offset-woes/6583>\
**Category:** LulzBot Mini\
**Created:** [March 13, 2019, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/need-a-smooth-first-layer-e-step-and-z-offset-woes/6583 "2019-03-13T15:55:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 1

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**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/mnemosyne)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/need-a-smooth-first-layer-e-step-and-z-offset-woes/6583/1 "2019-03-13T15:55:20Z")

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My first layers are not smooth. With the current version of Cura, I don’t understand how to compensate for z-offset.

Previously, I had dialed everything in to a nice smooth finish and I’d like to repeat that result.

I have done a quick calibration test of my e-steps and that is close enough, but I’d like to know how people are compensating for that too. Changing the flow rate hasn’t shown me any clear change in quality.

I would welcome any help - I’ve been searching for an answer without any luck. Perhaps someone knows the answer (or the relevant search terms I should have used in the first place). If all else fails I can go back to the old firmware and cura, but it’s really bugging me that I don’t understand how to do it now. Plus I’d prefer to be able to use the current versions of everything.

How are you handling your z-offset now? How do you calibrate your extrusion?  
(and - what am I not thinking of?)

thanks all

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