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Multicolour 3d printer
7 Best Multicolor 3D Printers In 2022
- Pat Nathaniel
- Last Updated: October 27, 2022
Looking for the very best Multi-Color 3D Printer on the market for 2022?
Then you’re in the right place.
Today we’re going to be:
- Looking at multicolor 3D printing;
- Seeing how viable it is for interested creators;
- Finding out which color 3D printer is the best choice for home users;
- Loads more…
Though 3D printing is still in its infancy – and I believe there’s still plenty of wild and wonderful things to look forward to in the coming years – we’ve already made so much progress in the last decade.
One area of continuous innovation is the ability to print in multiple different colors.
As with most 3D printing innovations, multi-color printing was first seen on industrial machines but has been making its way over to desktop 3D printers lately.
Let’s get started!
Geeetech A20M
Build volume: 255 x 255 x 255 mm
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Tenlog TL-D3 Pro
Build volume: 300 x 300 x 350 mm
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XYZ Printing da Vinci Color
Build volume: 200 x 200 x 150 mm
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Table of Contents
- Top 7 Multicolor 3D Printers At a Glance
- Multicolor VS Full Color 3D Printers
- 1. Geeetech A20M (Most Affordable)
- 2. XYZPrinting Da Vinci Color (Premium Choice)
- 3. LOTMAXX Shark (Best For Beginners)
- 4. Tenlog TL-D3 Pro (Best Choice)
- 5. FlashForge Creator Pro (Most Reliable)
- 6. XRize Rize (A Look-See at an Industrial Full Color 3D Printer)
- Add-Ons
- 7. Mosaic Palette 2 (Best Color 3D Printing Add-On)
- A Few Final Thoughts…
- Winner: Lotmaxx Shark
Top 7 Multicolor 3D Printers At a Glance
1.
Geeetech A20M (Most Affordable)
2. XYZPrinting Da Vinci Color (Premium Choice)
3. LOTMAXX Shark (Best For Beginners)
4. Tenlog TL-D3 Pro (Best Choice)
5. FlashForge Creator Pro (Most Reliable)
6. XRize Rize (Best Industrial)
7. Mosaic Palette 2 (Best Add-On)
Multicolor VS Full Color 3D Printers
Source: Youtube XYZprintingI want to start with a pretty important distinction when talking about 3D printers that can print in multiple colors.
Sometimes “full color” is a term used to describe these printers.
And while this is technically true, “full color” more often describes industrial-grade printers that are able to produce intricate color scaling and manipulation (I included one of these on the list – the XRize Rize – for comparison’s sake).
On the other hand…
… we’re going to be mostly looking at multicolor 3D printers, which can usually handle only a small number of different colors, but which tend to fall under the “personal 3D printer” umbrella.
They’re smaller and much, much less expensive.
All that said, multicolor printing is still a very experimental field – much less established than its industrial counterparts.
Given the scarcity of personal 3D printers that can handle multiple colors, I’m going to be looking at every option on the market today, including dual-extruder printers where each extruder can print a separate color and multi-color printer upgrades.
So let’s take a look at the best multicolor 3D printers!
1. Geeetech A20M (Most Affordable)
Print Speed: 180mm/sec | Print Volume: 255 x 255 x 255 mm | Filament Type: ABS / PLA / PETG | Color Mixing (Y/N): Y | Extruder: Dual
Geeetech has a couple of different 3D printers on the market, and I found the A20M to be its best option for multi-color 3D printing.
Given that the field is still highly experimental, the A20M doesn’t cost much, which is an immediate bonus.
In fact…
… for any reliable dual-extruder, the A20M is still a great price. It’s also blessedly easy to set up, and the dual-extrusion 3D printing technology tends to work well.
But the real reason I loved this 3D printer was its ability to push the envelope on color mixing.
You really don’t see this very much in personal 3D printers, and it’s completely unheard of at this price point.
With the Geeetech, you can expect to print in two distinct colors (striping or the like) or even mix and/ or grade your colors, allowing for a full spectrum of shades and hues.
To be clear: there is a second Geeetech 3D printer that is almost identical – A20M. This printer is a single-extruder, though, and won’t handle your multicolor printing.
- Excellent price point
- Great color-mixing technology
- Solid customer service
- Persistent clogging issues
- Poor plate cover
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2.
XYZPrinting Da Vinci Color (Premium Choice) Print Speed: 180mm/sec | Print Volume: 200 x 200 x 150 mm | Filament Type: 3D Color-inkjet PLA / PLA / Tough PLA / PETG / Carbon Fiber / Metallic PLA | Color Mixing (Y/N): Y | Extruder: Single
This super-popular 3D printer is probably the first one you’ll see when you search for a personal-use full-color 3D printer.
And there’s a good reason for that.
The da Vinci Color is one of the first (if not the first) personal printers to offer full color printing.
While this 3D printer still has its bugs, it can offer a 3D printing design experience that’s miles ahead of almost any other 3D printer on the list.
The Da Vinci’s full color capabilities mean creators have almost total control over every aspect of their design, including the exterior color design.
Gone are the days of painting by hand; with the right schematics, you can print just about any design imaginable.
The 3D printer also comes with hands-free calibration, which can significantly reduce the amount of time you spend fiddling with the da Vinci Color.
And while I didn’t have enough time to experiment with this feature as extensively as I might have liked, it seemed to work very well for the few prints I tested.
To note: this printer comes in the regular size – which I looked at here – and a miniature version that is basically a scaled-down version of the original da Vinci Color.
- Full color 3D printer capabilities
- Hands-free calibration features
- Excellent color palette
- Very pricey
- Some issues with ink cartridge technology
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3.
LOTMAXX Shark (Best For Beginners) Print Speed: 180mm/sec | Print Volume: 235 x 235 x 265 mm | Filament Type: PLA / PETG | Color Mixing (Y/N): Y | Extruder: Dual
Don’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of this one before: it’s a recent Kickstarter success story, and I only came across it when I was researching 3D printers for this article.
That said, I’m glad I did!
The Shark is a cool, cool 3D printer, and it’s color mixing capabilities are only one piece of its arsenal.
Yes, the Shark has full color mixing capabilities, coming in the form of dual-extruder, much like the Geeetech I reviewed earlier.
Unlike the Geeetech, though, the Shark comes with full-metal extruders and a nozzle head, and showed no sign of clogging over my short trial period.
But the fun doesn’t stop there.
The Shark is also loaded with tons of quality-of-life features, including a removable touch screen, resume printing features, and even laser engraving functionality.
- Excellent nozzle and extruder quality
- TONS of features
- Removable touch screen
- Some issues with build-plate adhesion
- Some difficulty setting up the second extruder
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4. Tenlog TL-D3 Pro (Best Choice)
Print Speed: 10-150mm/sec | Print Volume: 300 x 300 x 350 mm | Filament Type: TPU / PVA / PLA / ABS / HIPS / WOOD / PETG / Flexible | Color Mixing (Y/N): Y | Extruder: Dual
Unlike the printers before, the Tenlog TL-D3 Pro’s has two extruders and two nozzles.
It means that you can print two identical items simultaneously, in two distinct colors. You can also print in mirror mode and print in two different materials.
It seems like a pretty simple adaptation of the popular (and increasingly affordable) dual-extruder design.
Without delving too far into the enormous potential of this function (try out different colors, double-up on your creation rate, etc.), this is something I expect a lot of other 3D printers to be adopting soon.
But just as easily, these two nozzles can be used on the same product, either filling in a support filament or going for the multi-color approach.
It almost feels unfair constraining this 3D printer to a list like this… all thanks to its Swiss-Army Knife-Like variety of functions and capabilities.
How long does it take to assemble?
The D3 Pro comes half assembled and it took me 30 minutes to put it together with the help of videos online.
What I didn’t like was the printer didn’t come with a lot of instructions.
The printer is not dead silent and there’s a low humming noise from the fans. However, it’s noticeably quieter than my Ender 3 Pro.
The prints so far is very good and I have better results with custom stl files than the test files from Tenlog.
There are cheaper dual color/extruder 3D printers out there but this is the most affordable INDEPENDENT dual extruder (IDEX) 3D printer today.
All in all, this is the best multicolor 3D printer.
- Image-mirroring capabilities
- Easy setup and assembly
- Included warranty
- Runs quietly
- Poor customer service
- Requires filament in both extruders
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5.
FlashForge Creator Pro (Most Reliable) Print Speed: 100mm/sec | Print Volume: 227 x 148 x 150 mm | Filament Type: ABS / PETG / PLA / PVA | Color Mixing (Y/N): Y | Extruder: Dual
Yet another excellent dual extruder 3D printer, the FlashForge Pro, takes the shape of the enclosed-box design, whereas the other dual extruders on the list have all been open-air.
Aesthetically, this has always been my favorite design, though it has its positives and negatives in more objective terms.
Like the previous 3D printer, the FlashForge Creator is a dual-nozzle design, though it doesn’t have the independent-nozzle functionality (and the image mirroring).
However, it does have a substantial metal frame and faster printing on single objects than the two independent heads.
On top of that, the enclosed design allows for better temperature control, and less potential warping as a result.
However…
… FlashForge went the distance with its design, also allowing for increased ventilation options if you’re printing with PLA.
Finally, the reliability of the Creator Pro’s build plate shouldn’t be overlooked.
By and large, issues with build plates, leveling and covers have been the most prevalent issue I’ve had with printing.
Having a solid, completely level plate was a wonderful change for me.
- Enclosed environment
- Excellent built plate
- Great filament variety
- Some nozzle clogging
- No automatic bed-leveling
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6. XRize Rize (A Look-See at an Industrial Full Color 3D Printer)
Technology: FFF | Print Volume: 310 x 200 x 200 mm | Filament Type: Rizium Carbon, GF (Glass Filled), ST (Semi-Translucent), Rizium One White & Black, CMYK inks and Release ink | Color Mixing (Y/N): Y
This one’s just on the list for fun (unless you’re a large-scale industrial manufacturer, of course).
That said, it’s interesting to look at the difference in the price points of desktop-style multicolor 3D printers and an industrial-grade model full color 3D printer like the Rize.
So how much does the Rize cost?
Well, as you can see from its listing, you’ll need to request a quote to find the exact cost.
However…
… what I can tell you is that based on some of the other sites I looked at while conducting preliminary research, the price should fall somewhere around $55,000 – brand spanking new.
And believe me, that isn’t even close to being the most expensive full color 3D printer on the market.
A full color 3D printer can set you back a dime or two.
So what do you get out of one of these color 3D printers that you’ll miss in one of these other, comparatively affordable versions?
For a start off, this full color 3D printer has a precision and control over their 3D print products that nothing else on my list can come close to.
Like the da Vinci Color (one of our most expensive desktop 3D printers besides the Rize), this printer uses Inkjet toner (the same as a traditional 2D printer) to externally bind colors to the filament as it prints.
However…
… with a full color 3D printer of this price, you can expect much, much better color control than anything you’ll get from the DaVinci.
This color 3D printer can also print logos, QR codes… literally anything you can imagine slapping on the side of a 3D printing; this Rize can make it happen.
It’s awesome.
This full color 3D printer also comes loaded with all sorts of extra features that make it suitable for industrial production: a heated build chamber, automatic filament swapping and digitally-encoded ink cartridges, to name a few.
More than anything, the XRize is interesting because it provides us with a potential roadmap of what a future desktop 3D printer will be trying to emulate.
After all…
… the evolution of desktop 3D printer technology usually aims to copy the best capabilities of industrial best 3D printers, but on a smaller, less-expensive scale, of course.
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Add-Ons
While there are plenty of color 3D printers that can handle multi-color print jobs within their basic design, others need some help.
Nowadays, one of the best ways of getting excellent and low-cost multi-color creations is using a multi-color add-on for color 3D printers. These tend to cost less than getting a new printer altogether, and are compatible with plenty of models (though you should always research the cross-compatibility before you order one).
7. Mosaic Palette 2 (Best Color 3D Printing Add-On)
Compatibility: Ender 3, CR-10, MakerGear, Prusa, Raise3D, Robo, Wanhao, TEVO, Anet, RepRap, gCreate & more | Filament Type: /PLA / ABS / PETG / TPU | Extruder: One
This handy add-on is one of the most cross-compatible modifications out there.
The Mosaic is compatible with all Bowden and Direct-Drive 3D printers, meaning it covers the vast majority of the 3D printing field.
In fact…
… a simple visit to the Mosaic site will tell you whether your machine is compatible with the add-on or not. Do check first.
Essentially, this technology modifies 3D color printers, so they have the same capabilities as multi-extruder 3D printers.
The Palette 2 comes with four filament extruders, each of which can be loaded with its own color or material.
From there, the Mosaic creates its own filament line, combining filaments into a single filament line, which your multi color 3D printer pulls as it would any other filament line.
It’s important to note that the Mosaic does not “push” filament into your 3D color printer, and your printer won’t need many hardware upgrades to take this new filament line (to your 3D printer, this is just another line of filament coming off a spool, like any other).
As far as color 3D printing goes, this upgrade – and others like it – is one of the better options on the market.
You can get patterns, logos, and solid, well-defined color switches once you get the initial setup ironed out.
As for the integration aspect…
… it’s a somewhat mixed bag.
Assuming your base multi color 3D printer is solid and cross-compatible with this technology, you shouldn’t experience too many issues integrating the Mosaic into your print setup.
Unfortunately though…
… this upgrade does add a layer of complexity to your 3D printer – and 3D printers are known for being finicky to begin with.
I personally didn’t struggle with the integration and had a few solid prints right away.
However, plenty of other reviews say otherwise, so it’s worth mentioning here.
There are, of course, other options on the market for upgrading your 3D printer. Prusa offers their version of this upgrade, the Multi Material Upgrade Kit. However, given that it only handles Direct Drive systems and no Bowden designs, I preferred the Palette 2.
- Can cost less than a new multi color best 3D printer
- Excellent color manipulation and control
- More color 3D printing options available than a dual-extruder
- Added complexity to the print setup
- Compatibility with current multi color 3D printers is required
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A Few Final Thoughts…
So there you have it – a fairly comprehensive guide to multi-color 3D printing, the best (affordable) multicolor 3D printers out there, one crazy-expensive one, and an alternative option altogether!
When it comes to choosing your best color 3D printer, there are plenty of factors to keep in mind.
When making your decision, you should always consider what specific projects you have in mind and tailor your choice to fit. After all, if you’re looking to upgrade towards multicolor 3D printing, you probably have a couple of exciting ideas in the bag already.
Some of these 3D printers excel at color combining.
For color control, the Da Vinci provides an entirely different system from anything else on the list (besides the XRize) but does so at a higher price point and with a few concerning bugs.
Some color 3D printers come packed with excellent side features, like the Lotmaax Shark.
And others have an ingenious design that comes with other exciting applications, like the dual-nozzle design of the TenLog.
Anyway, your preferences will determine your best color 3D printer, so I’ll hand over the baton to you to make your choice.
You’ll be churning out those colorful 3D prints before you know it.
Our pick
LOTMAXX Shark
Great 3D printer for beginners
This printer cranked out quality prints right out of the box in our test.
Comes with excellent, all-metal nozzle and extruder and many more features makes this the best value.
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Source: Youtube Dylan HongSo this was kind of an underdog story for me. When I first started looking for the best color 3D printer, the Lotmaxx wasn’t even on my radar.
Yet the more I learned about this 3D printer, the more I was impressed – both by its original design and by its execution. Not to mention that it’s a Kickstarter success and really demonstrates the best aspects of grassroots ingenuity coming out of the color 3D printing field.
Not only is the Lotmaxx an excellent base 3D printer capable of color 3D printing, but it also comes with some innovative features that I haven’t seen in a single other color 3D printer.
The laser engraving upgrade opens up new doors in creative design. The auto bed-leveling works pretty well, and the handheld removable touch-screen is something I haven’t seen in any other 3D printers, no matter what price point.
And to speak on the price… all of this costs less than $500.
Typically, when I review 3D printers by newly-launched companies or Kickstarter campaigns, I’m overwhelmed by a sea of mechanical, software, and assembly issues. I had none of these with the Lotmaxx.
In fact, the only persistent issue I had with this color 3D printer came from the build plate adhesion.
In some cases, my recent prints would require a lot of elbow grease and some light chiseling to remove the prints from the plate. This is one of the most straightforward issues to remedy, though, so it’s not even something worth criticizing.
So there you have it!
Whether you choose the Shark or some other color 3D printer on the list (XRize, anyone?), multicolor 3D printing opens up many new avenues for you and your creations.
In a field where companies and creators are innovating every day, I can’t wait to see what new color 3D printer awaits us! Until then, thanks for reading, and happy printing!
The 6 best full-color 3D printers in 2022
What is the best full-color 3D printer?
It’s complex to 3D print in full, photorealistic color, and there are less than ten 3D printer manufacturers that achieve this.
Until recently, full-color 3D printing was exclusive to expensive industrial additive manufacturing systems from brands such as Stratasys or 3D Systems. Today, more affordable (under $10K) desktop full-color 3D printers also exist.
What is full-color 3D printing?
Full-color 3D printers are able to create objects with photorealistic color.
To do so, the 3D printer must be able to mix different filaments or inks together to obtain precise shades and gradients, similar to regular 2D paper printers.
This is also known as indirect color 3D printing, as the color is applied to the base material (the base material isn’t pre-colored before 3D printing).
Full-color 3D printing vs. multicolor 3D printing
In the 3D printing industry, the term “multicolor” is sometimes used as a synonym for full-color.
However, for clarity in this article, we will only refer to multicolor for 3D printers and accessories that are able to 3D print a few colors (e.
g.: 2-color 3D printers, 3-color 3D printers, Prusa multi-material add-on, Mosaic Palette, etc.).
This type of 3D printing is also called direct color 3D printing, as the filament already has a specific color before being 3D printed.
Examples of full-color 3D prints (left) and multicolor 3D prints (right).The best full-color 3D printers
| Brand | Product | Build size | Country | Price Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary by region, over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …). | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ComeTrue | T10 | 200 × 160 × 150 mm7.87 × 6.3 × 5.91 in | – | $ 30,00030 495 €26,611 £4,471,680 ¥ | Quote |
| XYZprinting | PartPro350 xBC | 350 × 222 × 200 mm13.78 × 8.74 × 7.87 in | Taiwan | $ 30,00016 690 €26,611 £4,471,680 ¥ | Quote |
| Mimaki | 3DUJ-2207 | 203 × 203 × 76 mm7. 99 × 7.99 × 2.99 in | Japan | $ 39,00035 000 €34,595 £5,813,184 ¥ | Quote |
| Stratasys | J55 Prime | – | – | $ 99,00095 000 €87,817 £14,756,544 ¥ | Quote |
| Mimaki | 3DUJ-553 | 508 × 508 × 305 mm20 × 20 × 12.01 in | Japan | $ 230,000200 000 €204,019 £34,282,880 ¥ | Quote |
| 3D Systems This brand is a certified partner from our network. | ProJet CJP 660Pro | 254 × 381 × 203 mm10 × 15 × 7.99 in | United States | upon request | Quote |
Expand to see more specs
The products in the table are ranked by price (low to high).
| Brand | Product | Technology | Build size | Country | Price Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary by region, over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …). | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ComeTrue | T10 | Binder Jetting | 200 × 160 × 150 mm7.87 × 6.3 × 5.91 in | – | $ 30,00030 495 €26,611 £4,471,680 ¥ | Get a quote |
| XYZprinting | PartPro350 xBC | Binder Jetting | 350 × 222 × 200 mm13.78 × 8.74 × 7.87 in | Taiwan | $ 30,00016 690 €26,611 £4,471,680 ¥ | Get a quote |
| Mimaki | 3DUJ-2207 | Material Jetting | 203 × 203 × 76 mm7.99 × 7.99 × 2.99 in | Japan | $ 39,00035 000 €34,595 £5,813,184 ¥ | Get a quote |
| Stratasys | J55 Prime | Material Jetting | – | – | $ 99,00095 000 €87,817 £14,756,544 ¥ | Get a quote |
| Mimaki | 3DUJ-553 | Material Jetting | 508 × 508 × 305 mm20 × 20 × 12.01 in | Japan | $ 230,000200 000 €204,019 £34,282,880 ¥ | Get a quote |
| 3D Systems This brand is a certified partner from our network. | ProJet CJP 660Pro | Binder Jetting | 254 × 381 × 203 mm10 × 15 × 7.99 in | United States | upon request | Get a quote |
Overview of the best full-color 3D printers in 2022
The ComeTrue T10 full-color 3D printer uses sandstone– a neutral, plaster-like powder– as its base material. This material is solidified and colored with ComeTrue’s proprietary liquid binding agent.
Then, users must insert the parts into a dry vacuum unit (available separately) to manually remove excess powder with an airbrush. The final steps involve covering the part in a liquid infiltrant for it to harden and then leaving the part to dry.
Contact manufacturer Get a quote Add to comparison
Targeting professionals such as architects and designers, the PartPro350 xBC 3D prints, colors, and cures materials all at once.
This full-color 3D printer features a removable build tray, enabling users to quickly launch a new print job before taking out freshly 3D printed parts from the previous tray.
Contact manufacturer Get a quote Add to comparison
The 3DUJ-2207 is an affordable full color 3D printer produced by Mimaki. Mimaki is a 3D printer manufacturer based in Japan. This 3D printer offers a build volume of 203 x 203 x 76 mm.
Contact manufacturer Get a quote Add to comparison
The Stratasys J55 Prime is a full-color 3D printer for professionals. Stratasys is a worldwide 3D printer manufacturer based in the United States.
This color 3D printer can print over 1,900 PANTONE colors.
Contact manufacturer Get a quote Add to comparison
Mimaki is a professional inkjet printing solution manufacturer from Japan. The 3DUJ-553 is their first 3D printer, and it produces high-quality, photo-realistic 3D prints.
To do so, its ink heads deposit a layer of colored ink, which the printheads then coat with UV-sensitive material to harden the layer with LED lighting. According to the manufacturer, this full-color 3D printer offers over 10 million colors.
Contact manufacturer Get a quote Add to comparison
This full-color sandstone 3D printer by 3D Systems produces high-quality parts. The ProJet CJP 660Pro deposits liquid color binding agent (proprietary VisiJet PXL) through its 1,520 jets in a process called ColorJet Printing.
Different infiltrants are available from 3D Systems for varying color 3D printed part properties: ColorBond, StrengthMax, and Wax.
Contact manufacturer Get a quote Add to comparison
Other full-color 3D printers
Below are a few mentions of products that are unavailable, discontinued, or suspicious.
M3D Crane Quad
The Crane Quad is a $999 desktop 3D printer that is advertised by M3D as capable of printing full-color objects with its four-in-one-out extruder. However, it has been brought to our attention that some users have never received the machine, while many others have encountered serious issues with it. A recap of user complaints and types of issues can be found in this BBB report.
We don’t recommend this company.
Mcor ARKePro
Mcor debuted with the Mcor IRIS and Matrix 300+ and then launched the Mcor ARKePro full-color desktop 3D printers for professionals (an updated version of the original Mcor ARKe). The ARKe used Selective Deposition Lamination (SDL) technology, which consists of depositing colored ink on sheets of paper. Mcor is no longer active.
SOMETHING 3D Chameleon
This 3D printer was announced by Israel-based SOMETHING 3D (ST3D) in 2017. The Chameleon mixes five colors together (WCMYK) to create full-color 3D prints.
ORD Solutions RoVa4D full-color Blender
The RoVa4D full-color Blender is another filament-mixing 3D printer. Canadian company ORD Solutions launched this full-color desktop 3D printer on Kickstarter in 2016, but there has been very little news about its availability since then.
Apple full-color 3D printer
There were rumors of the tech giant developing a full-color desktop 3D printer.
Apple filed a patent in 2015, which was approved at the beginning of 2018. However, the project appears to be on standby as no official Apple announcements regarding 3D printing have been made.
Ilios Ray
Ilios was a 3D printer manufacturer from Cyprus that closed its doors in late 2016. Their Ilios Ray resin 3D printer was claimed to mix colors with different resin cartridges.
SKY-TECH 3DPandoras
Launched on Kickstarter in 2014, this full-color powder 3D printer was well-received by the community– at first. Since then, its backers have largely denounced this product as a scam.
Multicolor 3D printing: alternatives to full-color 3D printing
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, multi-color 3D printing is different from full-color 3D printing. Multi-filament 3D printers, such as dual extruder 3D printers, are able to 3D print different colors at the same time.
These multi-nozzle 3D printers can be considered multi-color, but not full-color.
Accessories such as the Mosaic Palette or the Prusa multi-material add-on also allow for multicolor 3D printing with simple single-extruder 3D printers. They enable users to 3D print with up to four or five colors.
With SimplyColor3D software, it’s also possible to program filament color changes. The software also allows users to paint 3D models and allows for less material waste during purge transitions.
Another solution is post-processing. Germany-based DyeMansion provides full-color post-processing solutions (“DyeMansion RAL color palette”) for powder-based 3D printed parts. See our post on multicolor 3D printers and multi-filament accessories for more information.
A multicolor Benchy 3D printed with the Mosaic Palette 2. Source: MosaicBenefits of full-color 3D printing and applications
Full-color 3D printers allow users to obtain photorealistic 3D models with limited post-processing required.
This is useful for rapid prototyping as well as for the manufacturing of end-use products:
- Realistic prototypes (e.g. packaging, architecture models)
- Customized consumer products (e.g. phone cases, figurines, toys)
- Educational items (e.g. medical models)
Full-color 3D printing service
Full-color 3D printers are quite expensive and they require users to have at least some 3D printing knowledge. If users only need to 3D print a few parts a year, then ordering online service bureaus can be more cost-effective. Here’s a list of a few trusted online full-color 3D printing services:
- 3D Hubs
- i.
materialise - Sculpteo
- Shapeways
- WhiteClouds
How much does a full-color 3D printer cost?
The price of a full-color 3D printer can range from $550 to over $250,000. It depends on the type of 3D printing technology that the 3D printer uses. Full-color extrusion 3D printers cost less, while complex binder jetting and material jetting are the most expensive.
Find the right full-color 3D printer for sale
Multi-color 3D printing with one extruder, in one layer
3D printing
extruder.
As usual, by creating new problems. :)
The material is difficult, not everyone can handle it.
Short video describing the method here:
First, I will talk about the traditional method of multi-color printing with a single extruder, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
The traditional printing method allows you to create multi-color printouts by replacing plastic of one color with plastic of a different color after printing a certain layer of a part.
i.e. each layer of a different color is stacked on top of the previous layers.
Everyone does it and doesn't seem to complain, it's a quick and easy to implement method to create color prints with a single extruder.
However, the method creates a number of problems (which, of course, I invented myself and rushed to solve it myself :D): Each new color forces us to increase the thickness of the part, creating a relief that is not always necessary. 
There may be other problems not mentioned by me, you can describe them in the comments.
Solution:
The solution is not simple, and will require a special approach already at the design stage of the model, and editing the G-code. As I said above, not everyone can do it. The solution is still limited to flat parts, but allows you to use any adequate number of colors and materials in the project.
So let's get started:
Step 1: Modeling
Each layer of the new color should be placed above the previous layer.
Literally - when modeling, place layers of different colors on top of each other, so that they seem to be inserted into each other, without intersecting. Look at the finished model, it should be clearer.
Free space can be created by cutting the lower layer in the shape of the layers above, or by creating a relief, as in traditional printing.
Contours of different colors must not intersect.
Step 2: Slicing
Slicing is carried out as usual
Step 3: Editing the G-code
Editing the code is to fool the printer at a certain point and make it lower the overlying layer to the print height of the previous one. Thus, combining two or more layers in one, with the subsequent replacement of the filament.
This is done by inserting into the code, before a layer of a different color, the following commands:
- G92 ZHeightReplacementLayer
- M600 - or similar script for replacing plastic
For example:
to change the plastic and print two colors in one layer, we must insert the code
- G92 Z0.4 - making the printer think that it has already raised the extruder to a height of 0.4 mm
- M600 - to replace the plastic.
As a result of executing these commands, the black layer will be printed at the same height as the white layer - i.
e. 0.2 mm.
And that's all for me, I wish everyone successful printouts. To be continued.
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Color 3D printing - technology and equipment features
Today, printing of three-dimensional objects is available to everyone. Even at home, you can create three-dimensional models on compact 3D printers from a variety of materials. Color 3D printing works on the same principles as the method of building products in a single color. The availability of equipment has brought technology into the category of practical, original entertainment. However, multi-color 3D printing is also used to solve research problems and implement global projects.
Application areas for color 3D printing
3D printing is rapidly progressing, as the rapid and high-quality creation of prints gives the technology significant advantages over classical production methods. Most printers work with only one color, which is enough when prototyping or building engineering projects. When it comes to the artistic use of 3D equipment, color or combined 3D printing is needed.
The technique also helps designers to simultaneously analyze the aesthetics of the design and its functional characteristics.
Full-color 3D printing provides a wide range of possibilities for producing objects in a wide variety of shades and halftones.
The advantages of the technology were evaluated in various industries:
• construction and architecture - to build demonstration models of buildings;
• Medicine - for students to practice on realistic models of human internal organs, doctors test new techniques, develop devices for the disabled;
• education - for teaching on practical visual aids that reflect the features of a particular subject;
• fashion and design - well-known couturiers already offer entire collections printed on a 3D printer;
• Jewelery - to replace hand-made stencils, printed;
• Art and Hobbies - to create exclusive figurines or mass-produce copies of famous masterpieces.
Features of working with color
Creation of color models is possible on devices operating on ColorJet Printing (CJP) full-color inkjet 3D printing technology.
Today it is the most common method of growing volumetric objects.
Two-color 3D printing and construction in various colors takes place in several stages:
1. Creation of a three-dimensional model using special software.
2. The model file is cut into thin layers corresponding to the printed layers.
3. The gypsum powder is placed on the work platform in an even layer.
4. The printhead moves in a horizontal plane, applying adhesive plus color to specific areas.
5. The cycle is repeated until the complete construction of the 3D object.
6. The finished object is removed from the chamber, cleaned of powder residues with a stream of compressed air.
7. The model is completely immersed in a special compound that fills micro-holes, giving greater strength and color intensity.
8. Unused powder is recycled and reused.
The resulting products are distinguished by precision, high surface quality and a wide range of applications.
Two-color printing on a 3D printer can also be performed using FDM technology. The consumable resource in the form of a polymer rod is sent to the extruder, where it is heated. The molten mass through the nozzle is placed in layers along the established trajectory, forming the final model. The difficulty lies in the need to install a new plastic when you need to change the color of a 3D print. The calibration procedure is complicated, so fused filament printers are much less in demand.
Professional color 3D printers are divided into categories according to the purpose of operation, the complexity of operation, the required level of skill of the operator who controls the process. Equipment modification affects not only the quality of the final product, but also the price of the 3D printing service.
Conclusion
Multicolor printing is an interesting, useful technology that is constantly evolving. The technique is used to build products of mixed colors or complex textures.
