Everything You Need to Know About Multicolor 3D Printing
Incredibly versatile for both designers and manufacturers, 3D printing has completely transformed the prototyping process. Recent developments in technology have made it possible to use several colors in 3D printing, resulting in prints that are both more colorful and detailed. Creating prototypes using more than one color is possible with multicolor 3D printing. This kind of printing allows for the direct application of colors to the item, creating elaborate and colorful designs. This article will introduce the idea of multi-color 3D printing, discuss its significance, and present several techniques for producing eye-catching outcomes.
Multicolor 3D Printing Advantages
- Manufacturers now have the option of printing in multiple colors using 3D printing technology.
- Provides the freedom to creatively adjust the object's tints, colors, and tones.
- Improved efficiency compared to traditional painting techniques used after printing.
- Provides a more time and labor-saving approach to producing vibrant, detailed end products.
- Better precision than traditional hand-painted methods.
Multicolor 3D Printing Drawbacks
- 3D prints with multiple colors tend to be very delicate.
- Because of their fragility, most of the products made are only fit for display.
- Dimensions are not as precise as with Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) or Stereolithography (SLA).
- It's not always easy to get a uniform color scheme over a whole print.
- Problems with achieving and sustaining a consistent hue across the whole thing.
Methods for Achieving Multicolor 3D Prints
1. Separately Printing Objects
It is more economical to add color to 3D printers by printing individual objects. This technique uses color to deconstruct a single CAD model into its constituent parts. Although this method is doable by desktop users with a single extruder, precise results require careful pre-processing. The advantage comes in the easy reproduction of specific pieces if errors occur. The negative part is the time and work needed to process each component before putting together the whole model.
2. Pausing Mid-Printing
It's possible to print in multiple colors with just one extruder by interrupting the print job in the middle. In this method, the printing process is interrupted temporarily while the filament is switched in the extruder. While this reduces the amount of prep work needed, it still requires some time and careful work to provide a seamless color change.
The "Pause in Height" plugin for Cura is a great option for pausing the print. To facilitate manual filament color changes during printing, this plugin adds a pause command to the G-code file. Although the print quality might suffer significantly, this method provides an easily accessible and inexpensive option for 3D printing in multiple colors.
3. Using Filaments of Various Colors
The use of multicolored filaments simplifies the production of multicolored 3D prints. These filaments include numerous colors within a single strand, allowing a seamless transition between colors when printing. AMOLEN 3D Printer PLA Filament Dual Color and CC3D 3D Printer Silk Rainbow Multicolor PLA Filament are just two examples of the many multicolored filaments available.
4. Multiple-Filament Feeder Device
High-tech options for 3D printing in multiple colors include the use of multi-filament feeder tools like the Mosaic Palette 3 Pro. These devices join separate filament strands into one continuous filament with smooth color changes. For example, the Mosaic Palette 3 Pro can create color-coded model files with its software, allowing smooth transitions between colors while printing.
Best Multicolor 3D Printers
1. Mimaki's 3DUJ-2207
Key Features:
- Over 10 million color combinations
- 1200 x 1200 DPI resolution
- 28m layer thickness
- ABS-like Material Strength
- Professional installation & training included
Mimaki's 3DUJ-2207, priced at $42,076, represents a noteworthy entry into the multi-color 3D printing arena. This Japanese-manufactured printer targets meticulous professionals seeking high-quality, photorealistic 3D prints. The 3DUJ-2207 employs ink heads depositing colored ink, subsequently coated with UV-sensitive material by printheads. Mimaki boasts an extensive color palette, surpassing 10 million colors, providing unparalleled vibrancy and detail.
Details: Mimaki.
2. Stratasys j55 Prime
Key Features:
- System Size and Weight: 651 x 661 x 1551mm (25.63 x 26.02 x 61.06 in.; 228 kg (503 lbs.)
- Operating Conditions Temperature: 18 – 25 °C (64 – 77 °F); relative humidity 30-70% (non-condensing)
- Power Requirements: 100–120 VAC, 50–60 Hz, 6A, 1 phase
Stratasys introduces the J55 Prime, priced at $99,000, as a game-changer in full-color 3D printing. This printer employs advanced technology to produce high-quality, detailed prints suitable for professional applications. Stratasys’ proprietary technology ensures precision and reliability, making the J55 Prime an ideal choice for professionals with demanding printing requirements.
Details: Stratasys.
3. Mimaki's 3DUJ-553
Key Features:
- Build Area (W × D × H): 20 x 20 x 12 inches (508 x 508 x 305 mm)
- Color Range: More than 10 million
- Print Mode / Resolution / Thickness Fast / 42 micron Standard / 32 micron High Quality / 22 micron Color-in-Clear / 19 micron
- Curing: Water-cooled LED-UV lamps x 2
- File Formats: STL, OBJ, VRML, PLY, 3MF
Mimaki's 3DUJ-553, priced at $188,995, marks the company's foray into 3D printing, and it does so with flair. Leveraging professional inkjet printing expertise, the 3DUJ-553 achieves exceptional quality through a unique process. Colored ink layers are deposited and subsequently hardened with UV-sensitive material using LED lighting. With an expansive color spectrum exceeding 10 million shades, Mimaki caters to users seeking unparalleled color fidelity and realism.
Details: Mimaki.
4. ProJet CJP 660Pro
Key Features:
- Build volume: 254 x 381 x 203
- Resolution: 600 x 540
- FileFormats: STL, VRML, PLY, 3DS, FBX, ZPR
The ProJet CJP 660Pro by 3D Systems, available at a price upon request, introduces a distinctive approach with its full-color sandstone 3D printing capabilities. Using ColorJet Printing, this printer deposits a liquid color binding agent through 1,520 jets, allowing for highly detailed and vibrant prints. 3D Systems offers different infiltrants like ColorBond, StrengthMax, and Wax, providing users with diverse options to tailor the properties of their color 3D printed parts.
Details: 3D Systems.
Having looked at multi-color 3D printing, it’s also important to have a look at the best 3D printing software. There are many that are available, but we recommend using SelfCAD. It has a user-friendly and you can use it to create both simple and complex 3D models without spending a lot of time. Get to know of the various tools of SelfCAD in the video below.
The software also comes with an in-built online slicer that you can use to slice your files and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer. The video below shows how to slice your STL files in SelfCAD.
Get Your Multicolored 3D Printed Items Ready
Using 3D printing with several colors goes far beyond the area of decorative art and into practical fields like medicine and construction. It can be difficult and time-consuming, but new developments in 3D printing technology are opening up exciting new possibilities for creative answers. The potential for multicolor 3D printing is only going to increase as designers and engineers experiment with new approaches.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.