Also called: Multi-material printing
Multi-colour printing uses printers that can switch between several filaments during a print. That means logos, lettering, and colourful designs come out in colour without any painting.
Good for
- Logos, signs, and name plates
- Colourful toys and figurines
- Keychains and gifts
- Parts that combine rigid and flexible materials
How it works
- You upload a file with the colour areas defined, or describe the colours you want.
- The shop assigns colours to each part of the model.
- The printer switches filaments as it prints.
- Parts are cleaned up and delivered.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Colour without painting
- Durable colour (it's the material itself)
- Can combine rigid and flexible materials
Cons
- Slower and uses extra material, so costs more
- Colours are solid blocks, not photo-style blends
- Usually limited to a handful of colours per part
Questions to ask the shop
- How many colours can you use in one part?
- Do I need to prepare my file with colours, or can you set them up?
Common materials
PLA · Specialty PLA · PETG · TPU
Common questions
Can you print a full-colour photo? Standard multi-colour printers use a few solid colours. Full photo-realistic colour needs specialized printers, which some industrial shops offer.
Related services
FDM printing · Priming and painting
Find multi-colour printing near you
Find shops offering multi-colour printing near you, or upload your file for a quote.