Elephant Foot
Prevent the bottom layers of a print spreading wider than the rest of the model.
Elephant foot describes the widened or bulging edge that sometimes appears around the first few layers of a print.
It normally happens when the first layer is being compressed too strongly or remains too soft.
Check your Z-offset. If the nozzle is excessively close to the build plate, the first layer is forced sideways.
You can also try reducing the bed temperature slightly after the first few layers.
Some slicers include an elephant-foot compensation setting that slightly reduces the outline of the first layer.
Be careful not to overcorrect. Too much compensation can make small parts detach from the bed.
If your printer uses automatic bed levelling, ensure the build plate is correctly installed and free of debris underneath.
For dimensionally important mechanical parts, elephant-foot compensation can significantly improve fit.
Common causes: nozzle too close to bed, excessive bed temperature, excessive first-layer flow.