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Glow in the dark 3d printing


10 Great Ideas for Glow-in-the-Dark 3D Printing

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If you’ve gotten bored of printing with plain old PLA or ABS, the great news is that there are so many other 3D printing filaments to choose from. A glow-in-the-dark filament is one of the most fun to use and will certainly change the way you look at designing models for 3D printing.

Take note that some of these designs may require having a dual extruder 3D printer. We have also included some nice prints that can be done with just a single extruder, just to make sure that everyone gets a slice of the fun.

This Cheshire Cat model is pretty much a showcase of glow-in-the-dark 3D printing. When done right, the eyes, teeth, and stripes of the Cheshire Cat glow in the dark, giving off an eerie yet also adorable vibe.

This is an expertly done 3D model that does not require a multi-extruder 3D printer. Instead, the parts in different colors are printed separately and assembled. That said, it can be quite a challenging project with 54 separate files to print. Be sure to take note of which parts are supposed to glow and which are not. You might need to buy a couple of new filament spools if you intend to be faithful to the character’s color scheme.

A scary face that shows up when you turn off the lights – what could be more shocking than that? This 3D drawing of Linda Blair’s character in The Exorcist is basically a lithophane that is meant to be printed with glow-in-the-dark filament.

The project involves doing a switch from black to glow-in-the-dark filament midway through the print. This can be done manually, although it’s a lot easier to execute this with a multi-extruder 3D printer. The first few layers will be printed in black to provide good contrast to the glow-in-the-dark layers highlighting the scary face of the possessed girl. This makes for a great and surprising display for the coming Halloween.

This Digi-Reaper 3D model is a great imagining of one of the horrors of modern life – seeing the blue screen of death on your computer. The blocky geometry and handheld lamp make this print an interesting conversation piece, even if the message is not immediately apparent.

While the designer of the model does not specifically state that it is meant to be printed with glow-in-the-dark filament, we think that it would make this model look even better. Some white glow-in-the-dark filament would contrast very well with a red LED on the figure’s lamp. This is a low-key display piece that works well on Halloween but also makes sense to keep around all year round.

Articulated figures are always impressive, especially when done using a 3D printer. This poseable skeleton prints in several separate pieces to give it an impressive degree of articulation. With so many ways to pose the skeleton, plus the top hat and pumpkin accessory, this is a figure you won’t get tired of interacting with.

Glow-in-the-dark filament is the perfect material to print this model with. Seeing a skeleton posed in wacky ways in the dark is just the sort of bizarre fun that the model likely aspires for.

If you’re looking for a lazy add-on to your Halloween costume, then you might be interested in this mountable unicorn horn. This unicorn horn comes with a base that has screw holes in it, so you can easily attach it to a standard cap or headband.

The unicorn horn can be printed in two separate colors as the model has been split in two. You can print it with two different glow-in-the-dark filaments, or print the whole thing in a multi-color or rainbow glow-in-the-dark filament. You can never have too many colors – this is the horn of a unicorn that we’re talking about, after all.

Here’s one of the few applications of glow-in-the-dark filament that are considered practical – a stand for your phone to put on your bedside table. If you have ever had to stumble around in the dark for a place to put your phone after you have turned off the lights in your bedroom, then this 3D-printed project is perfect for you.

The phone stand is just a simple bracket with enough space even for a tablet. To make the design even cheekier, the stand comes with a large arrow with the words “Phone Here” prominently displayed. It is a very cheeky thing to put inside your bedroom, but it is pretty useful.

While there are lots of 3D printable models out there for “The One Ring,” this design makes use of the capabilities of a multi-extruder 3D printer coupled with a glow-in-the-dark filament. The result is a mesmerizing print of the powerful ring with a glowing Elvish inscription.

This is pretty much the best version of The One Ring that you can 3D print, especially if you have some gold filament to go with the glow-in-the-dark writing. Take note that the ring isn’t exactly the size that you can wear on your finger – FDM printers simply cannot achieve that level of resolution yet. Instead, you will have to print a super-sized ring. The ring, of course, is magical and will adjust to the size of the bearer’s finger, so it’s all consistent with the lore.

Ghosts and glow-in-the-dark decals are a perfect combination, but it does not mean that you always have to 3D print something spooky. With that in mind, there is no friendlier design than Casper the Friendly Ghost. This would be a great display piece in a kid’s bedroom, with the glow-in-the-dark effect adding an ethereal glow to Casper’s ghost form.

Take note that this decal has a large surface adhering to the print bed, so warping might be a problem. You can consider printing with a raft, but make sure to not have any cooling and to try and print in an enclosure. The designer states getting good results by reducing the printing speed to 30%.

Vases are a-dime-a-dozen in the world of 3D printing but this particular vase maximizes the effect of a glow-in-the-dark filament. The dark grooves of the vases create shadows that contrast well with the glow of the material. The result is a vase that is unique and looks mesmerizing in the dark.

A unique aspect of this vase is that it’s meant to be printed using two different materials. If you have a multi-extruder printer, you can combine a glow-in-the-dark filament with a standard filament that has a similar color. You can try out different color combinations to see how the effect changes in the final product. This is a great way to do something different from the same old boring 3D-printed vase.

Bedroom decals are probably the most common applications of glow-in-the-dark filaments, so we’re ending this list with a classic. If you have small kids around the house, they will certainly get a kick out of this Good Night Wall Decal. When the lights in their bedroom are turned down, the decals give off a gentle and gradually diminishing glow, lulling them into sleep.

Again, the design being flat might cause warping problems. It’s best to use a PLA-based glow-in-the-dark filament for this model, as it might help avoid warping. Make sure to not have any cooling during printing and to print slowly, particularly for the first four layers.

Final thoughts

Glow-in-the-dark filament is an incredibly fun material to 3D print with, and the results are often surprisingly pleasant. Just keep in mind that the glow-in-the-dark particles are abrasive and may wear down a brass nozzle. If you’re planning to make lots of glow-in-the-dark prints, then it’s worth the money and effort to swap your brass nozzle for one made of hardened steel.

Warning; 3D printers should never be left unattended. They can pose a firesafety hazard.

Glow in the Dark Filament – A Quick Review & Guide – 3D Printerly

Glow in the dark filament is a great idea to add creativity to your 3D printing art; so many people wonder about how well it works. I decided to do a good amount of research and put together my thoughts for an in-depth glow in the dark filament guide, along with other useful information.

Glow in the dark filament has gained popularity as a 3D printing material, which can really expand your capabilities of creating cool prints. Once you dial in the right settings and choose a good glow in the dark filament, the possibilities are endless.

This article will aim to guide you through using glow in the dark filament, as well as detail some reviews and ideas that you can put to use so keep reading.

What is Glow in the Dark Filament?

Glow in the dark filament is made out of phosphorescent materials, mainly being strontium aluminates, but zinc sulfide and calcium sulfide are also used (weaker versions).

Now these ‘glowing’ materials are used in combination with PLA or ABS filament to create glow in the dark filament.

When you notice how other composite PLA or ABS filament is made, such as carbon fiber, wood or ceramic filament, they are made similarly which takes on extra properties.

These materials work by actually absorbing energy directly from energy sources, the strongest source being ultraviolet radiation from a black light. Direct sunlight is the next most powerful energy source, followed by fluorescent light then finally incandescent lights.

It glows for a relatively short period of time once ‘charged up’.

Glow in the dark is mostly green because the human eye is the most sensitive to green light, meaning green can glow brighter through our perceptions. This is also why you see night vision goggles in a greenish tint.

Glow in the dark filament doesn’t look very special at first, looking like standard filament, but after absorbing enough light it will showcase its awesome abilities.

You can get your own glow in the dark filament from Amazon for a great price. I’d recommend the MGChemicals PLA Glow in the Dark Filament, which has great ratings and good dimensional accuracy for smooth printing.

Beginners Guide to Printing Glow in the Dark Filament

If you want to know how to print with glow in the dark filament, I have some general settings and guidelines to try and follow.

MaterialGlow in the dark filament (PLA or ABS based)
Properties– Fused with phosphorescent material, allowing prints to glow in the dark
Applications– Indoor display and design items

– Toys

– Outdoor safety marks and signages
Recommended Printing Temperature– 180 to 220 °C for PLA-based filament

– 210 to 240 °C for ABS-based filament
Recommended Bed Temperature– Heated bed not necessary for PLA-based filament, but a heated bed at 60 to 70 °C may be used

– A heated bed at 100 to 110 °C to be used with ABS-based filament
Bed Adhesion– Standard blue painters’ tape when not using a heated bed

– A layer of glue stick when using a heated bed
Printing Speed– Start at 50 to 60 mm/s and work your way up
Cooling– No cooling when printing using ABS-based filament

– A cooling fan may be used when printing with PLA-based filament

Temperature for Glow in the Dark Filament

ABS prints at 210 to 240°C. On the other hand, PLA prints at a lower temperature of 180 to 220°C.

If you decide to use a hardened nozzle to print with the glow in the dark filament, you should slightly increase your temperature, as it has less thermal conductivity than brass.

Printing Speed for Glow in the Dark Filament

Many users reported that the glow in the dark filaments work under the printing speeds as low as 15 mm/s to the highest speed of 100 mm/s.

So definitely, this is a very broad range, so you should set the speed of about 50 to 60 mm/s for better smoothness of prints. PLA-based glow in the dark filaments can provide high-quality print for you.

Heated Bed for Glow in the Dark Filament

I have found that the heated bed requires a set of 60 to 70°C. However, ABS based filament will have to be set with a heated bed at a temperature of around 100 to 110°C for getting good quality prints.

Use of Cooling Fan for Glow in the Dark Filament

ABS filament does not work well with a cooling fan, so I suggest not using a cooling fan with it. On the other hand, you have to use a cooling fan with PLA prints.

Infill Options and Other Factors

Increasing the wall thickness of prints may enhance the final prints and get your ‘glow’ to last longer. By decreasing the infill and increasing the shells, you can produce a good quality of glow in the dark prints.

Is There Glow in the Dark PETG?

Yes, PETG is a new kind of plastic 3D printing material. It has similarities with ABS and PLA printing. This PETG is transparent in light, but it glows in the dark. This is very popular in the market because it has the following benefits-

Benefits of PETG

  • High-temperature resistance
  • Very low warping
  • Extra phosphor added for a super bright glow
  • Stronger layer bonds
  • Low odor
  • Transparent color
  • Great impact resistance

Specification of PETG Printing

  • Heated bed temperature: 60 – 70°C
  • Print nozzle temperature: 230 – 245°C

Is Glow in the Dark Filament Abrasive?

Yes, glow in the dark filaments is abrasive and sometimes hard to print with it.

A standard brass nozzle might not hold up so well against an abrasive glow in the dark filament, so it’s a good idea to swap out your nozzle for a hardened steel one.

It may be a good idea to also use a nozzle with a wider diameter to reduce overall abrasion. A good nozzle diameter to go with would be a 0.6mm nozzle, so you can still balance out print quality with less abrasion if you want.

Best Glow in the Dark Filament to Buy

As already mentioned, Hatchbox PLA Glow in the Dark Filament from Amazon is a great choice for your 3D printing desires. It’s a 1KG spool which prints smoothly and usually doesn’t require any setting changes compared to basic PLA.

MGChemicals also have a range of their Glow in the Dark Filament from Amazon, made from PLA and has reviews which mention just how bright this glow in the dark spool of filament is.

One user who has used the Hatchbox PLA filament as well as many others said this one is the best. Layer adhesion came out great, and they didn’t get any stringing in the printing process.

So if you are looking for the brightest glow in the dark filament, you have your answer.

The print temperature range is fairly large, so it will take some temperature testing to get it perfect, but once you get going you’ll love it.

How long Filamentarno glows! Lumiflex?

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I recently purchased a plastic spool Filamentarno! Lumiflex green luminescent. It really glows in the dark very well. In the photo, the coil is in a dark room, after lying on the windowsill for just a couple of minutes. The package has not yet been opened, so on the bottom right you can see, illuminated by the glow of plastic, a package of silica gel. The scope of the filament, I think, is clear to everyone. Do something to glow in the dark. It can be an inscription on the wall, it can be a bracelet or something else like that. But the question immediately arises, how long will the plastic glow in the dark? All night long? A couple of hours or a few minutes?

We will deal with these questions.

The eye is a good sensory device, that's just relative and subjective. One person sees the glow, the other does not. Therefore, we will carry out normal measurements with instruments. Let's use a high-sensitivity high-resolution spectrometer. High resolution means that it is not possible to quickly measure radiation over the entire spectral range.

Let's print a small test object first. I made a 15x6x3 mm box with 100% infill. Why? Just because.

Therefore, to begin with, it is necessary to determine the best spectral range for the change. After illumination with light, the filament gradually fades away, so it is necessary to constantly highlight our sample. As a source of excitation, I took a quasi-ultraviolet laser from AliExpress. (Actually, it's just purple - the laser wavelength is about 410nm, or rather, the maximum falls on this wavelength) Approximately, because cheap semiconductor lasers have a very large line width. Mine has a width at half height of about 10nm.

We shine the laser at the edge of our sample, and take the radiation spectrum from the point irradiated by the laser in order to reduce the amount of its radiation entering the device. The result is the following spectrum.

The maximum luminescence occurs at a wavelength of 530 nm. We set the device to this wavelength and every 5 seconds we will measure the spectrum in the range of 522-538 nm for 2 seconds. Averaging over 2000 points of the spectrum, we obtain the average value of the radiation intensity during the measurement on the selected range. It was possible not to average, but simply take the value at 530 nm, but then the noise would be greater.

First, we write down the values ​​before irradiation - this is a shelf in negative time values. I waited some time after measuring the spectrum, so that I could no longer see the glow of the plastic with my eye. This was done on purpose to set the level visible to the eye, since the device can detect intensities so small that it is impossible to see them with the eye.

The shelf at the beginning of the chart is the level that we will take as the initial one. Then, for about 5 seconds, I illuminated the sample with a laser (on the graph this is a shelf at maximum values, the detector lit up and recorded the maximum values). Then the radiation was recorded according to the scheme described above.

Plastic glows very brightly immediately after irradiation. Initially, the signal is very large. fasting is, as expected, an exponential decline, fast enough. And most of the time the glow is quite moderate. If for the first ten seconds the glow is clearly visible even in a sunny room, then darkness is needed in order to see the glow. It is not clear from this picture what is going on. Let's rebuild it on a logarithmic scale.

It can be seen that the brightness of the glow drops by a factor of 1000 (by three orders of magnitude). And on this chart you can already see that we returned to the initial values ​​in the region of 1750-2000 sec. Zoom out again vertically, cutting off the brightest part.

Now it is clear that the glow time is about 1800 seconds or about 30 minutes. The glow did not go out at all, and the device continues to record a decrease in the signal. But as I wrote earlier, the device allows you to fix the radiation is so weak that it is no longer visible to the eye even in the dark.

Now we have the exact numbers obtained by direct measurements. In a dark room, the glow will be visible about half an hour after irradiation. If you have been in a dark room with your eyes closed for a long time, then you may be able to see the glow after another 10 minutes. However, if you have an LED backlight with an ultraviolet diode (especially in the range not visible to the eye), then the parts from this plastic will shine very brightly.

The backlight should be closer to the blue area. I tried to irradiate with a green laser pointer (532nm), the plastic from it did not glow at all.

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