January 6, 2026
3D Printed Shapes
At its core, 3D printing involves creating a three-dimensional object from a digital model by laying down successive layers of material.
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regardless of its technology, is an inherently one-colour manufacturing method. If the maker wants to produce vivid colour patterns or live detail they may feel like an obstruction.
But there might be options! In this article, we'll discuss the basic ways to printer multicolour 3D designs from the most simple to the most complicated techniques.
There are certain ways to print multicolour objects out of one filament or use two or more different filaments in the same print job. Before we start discussing these techniques it's important to know that only da Vinci 1.0 AiO colour is capable of printing with multiple filaments at the same time.
3D printing is a technology that began in 2005 yet already offers many design solutions. Direct color printing involves printing with pre-dyed or pre-colored materials, such as colored filaments or resins, making it suitable for producing multi-colored parts with solid colors or simple zones. Full color 3D printing, on the other hand, enables the creation of objects with gradients, nuanced color matching, and even photorealistic images. Unlike traditional hand painting, which is becoming less common due to its time and labor requirements, modern 3D printing provides greater efficiency and consistency in applying color.
Da Vinci Color 3D printers use a colourless absorbent PLA filament that can be mixed to colour. The machine has a print volume of 120 x 150 mm and a maximum rate of 250 mm/cm. The device is equipped with a sensor end filament, the ability to stop and continue to print and all prints are fully waterproof.
The Da Vinci Color features a compact design, making it ideal for smaller workspaces or specialized fields such as medical and dental modeling, while still delivering full color 3D printing capabilities.
The price of the basic model is 2,699€ and a version that can scan and printer at the same time: The Da Vinci Color AiO is available on XYZprinting in more than 60 countries.
The price of the basic model is 2,699€ and a version that can scan and printer at the same time: The Da Vinci Color AiO is available on XYZprinting in more than 60 countries.
Da Vinci Color uses technology similar to an inkjet printer, jetting colored ink onto the filament to produce 3D printed copies with full color. Droplets of ink are glued with specially formulated 3D Color Inkjet PLA, which is designed to absorb the ink.
This process enables XYZ colors to create 3D models with detailed, multi-color, and realistic results, much like how an inkjet printer achieves high resolution and color accuracy in traditional printing. Prints of various colors are possible through the combination of these technologies. Da Vinci Color is available along with a spool of 3D color-inkjet PLA and da Vinci INKjet Cartridges so you can start drawing full colors right out of the box. In addition to the normal XYZprint 3D printing, the color is designed to be easy to use.
When preparing your full color 3D print, make sure to select the color print option and use compatible file formats such as 3MF to ensure the final product accurately reflects your desired colors.
XYZ Color has a layer resolution of 0.1-0.4mm so you can print high-resolution photographs and more accurately low-resolution photos where minimum feature size is not a problem. The printer is simple to use with a 5′′ colour LCD monitor.
[image from xyzprinting.com]
The 3D colour inkjet PCLA is stronger compared to regular PLA so it is good for functional prototyping. It can resist great impact loads and is very easy to tool and also works well with adhesive materials.
Of course, you can print in FULL colour!!!! The Da Vinci Color is an excellent 3D printer. There is a small enclosure that keeps the extrusion processes from being disturbed and a seal of security is in place around this structure.
The Da Vinci Color supports both multi color and full color printing, making it ideal for producing vivid prototypes and models with either distinct color zones or smooth gradients for realistic, detailed results.
A complete Color 3D printer is capable of creating objects with photorealistic colours. This requires that the 3D printer can mix different forms of filament with ink for clear colours and gradients. The process repeats layer by layer, with each cycle applying color and material to build up the final model.
It is primarily known as indirect colour 3D printing because it applies the colour on the base material that is not pre-coloured before printing. It is also known by names indirect colour printing etc. Some advanced printers can print directly onto the model, eliminating the need for additional painting or assembly.
When it comes to achieving truly stunning results in full color 3D printing, the process starts long before the print head even moves. The digital preparation of your model—choosing the right file formats and software—plays a crucial role in ensuring your final part features vibrant colours, lifelike textures, and the fine details that set photo realistic parts apart.
The most popular file formats for color 3D printing are 3MF, OBJ, and VRML. Unlike standard STL files, these formats are designed to retain not just the geometry of your model, but also essential information like color, texture, and even different material properties. This is especially important for complex models, medical models, and art replicas where subtle color gradients, skin tones, or simulated glass effects are required. For example, 3MF files are widely supported and allow for seamless color matching and material assignment, making them a top choice for high-resolution, full color prints.
On the software side, tools like GrabCAD, KeyShot, and Microsoft’s 3D Viewer empower designers to assign custom color, textures, and material finishes to every part of their model. These programs make it easy to visualize how your final product will look, adjust wall thickness for structural integrity, and prepare your digital files for the specific 3D printing process you’ll use. Whether you’re working with PolyJet technology—which uses inkjet print heads to deposit liquid resin and cure it with UV light for bold colors and subtle gradients—or another method, the right software ensures your model is optimized for the build platform, print resolution, and support structures required.
Another key consideration is how your chosen software and file format interact with the 3D printer’s capabilities. For instance, PolyJet and similar technologies excel at producing full color prototypes with multiple materials in a single print, capturing every detail from lifelike textures to complex color transitions. By carefully preparing your model, you can reduce post processing steps, minimize the need for support material, and achieve a final part that’s ready for display or functional testing.
Using the right combination of file formats and software not only increases the accuracy and color vibrancy of your prints, but also streamlines the entire production process. This means faster turnaround for multiple iterations, more efficient workflows, and the ability to produce everything from realistic prototypes to mass production runs with consistent quality.
In summary, mastering the digital side of color 3D printing—through smart file format selection, powerful software, and careful model optimization—unlocks the full potential of this technology. Whether you’re creating medical models, product prototypes, or museum-quality art replicas, the right digital tools ensure your vision is translated into a full colour, high-detail final product every time.
The Da Vinci colours use 3DColorJet technology in 3D printing full-colour objects. The 3D printer is equipped primarily with an infrared sandstone base powder.
Binder jetting is another full-color 3D printing technology, which uses a colored binding agent to bond powdered materials, resulting in vibrant, detailed models ideal for static applications like figurines and concept prototypes.
Many manufacturers offer a diverse product line of full-color 3D printers, with each model featuring unique capabilities and applications.
Mimaki’s 3DUJ-553-3D Printers use a UV LED light-curing technique. Inkjet printers can reproduce parts of more than 100,000 colours. The strength of the component is comparable to ABS 3DPrinted parts according to the manufacturer. The printer has resolutions of 20, 32 and 42 millimetres Mimaki explained.
Mimaki is a company that makes traditional inkjet machines and the printer is meant for the professional sector. It features a build volume of 508 x 508 x 305mm and a resolution as low as 32 millimetres in 3D printed parts. The Mimaki 3DUJ-553 can utilize multiple photopolymers simultaneously, enabling the creation of highly detailed, multi-colored, and realistic models.
Stratasys J850 is an integrated full-colour 3D printing solution that delivers more transparency and flexibility. The J850 supports PANTONE validated colours for greater realism in prototypes. More than 500,000 colours are available you can use unlimited numbers of composite materials.
In addition, the J850 supports multi material printing, allowing the combination of different materials within a single print for enhanced realism and texture.
The build volume of the plate is 400-800 and the build area are 2 x 295 mm. It is not the only full-colour 3D printer made by the manufacturer, the J700 and J720 Dental 3D model the J750 Digital Anatomy permits the creation of ultra-realistic medical models.
The PROJet CJP 250Plus creates photo-realistic parts in fully CMY colour with small feature details and the ability that full texture/UV mapping could be performed to assess the appearance. 3D Systems manufactures an integrated laser cutting device that supports laser scanning in low-temperature applications.
The ProJet CJP Series is also ideal for model making, enabling the production of detailed miniatures, figurines, and prototypes for gaming, collectibles, and design.
During manufacturing, it produces an integrated laser scanner that allows it to print up to. They vary according to their build volume with the biggest and most compact solutions with a build volume at 508 X 381 X 229mm.
380/580 Series is the first HP machine series to offer fully coloured nylon-based components (CMYK). These printers can print with multiple colors at once, allowing for complex and visually striking prototypes. Based on Multi Jet Fusion, which combines a heat source with a Powder Binding Technology these two models are targeted toward product development teams, design studios and universities. The biggest difference between the 2 models 380 and 580 are its builds volume (190 x 254 x 248 VG. : 190 x 332 / 248). The production remains the same. To acquire HP printers you can expect a price from 50,000€ to 100,000€.
The HP Color 3D printing system uses unique bound products to fuse the powder to the plastic. The colour application is done on a scale of 3-D printing DNA called “voxel”. The engineers from HP first studied light and how to use it for the production of colour accurately 3D objects. Printing at the quality of standard 2 D printing. This allows you to achieve colour printing even on complex products.
HP's technology can also simulate glass, producing transparent or clear parts for specialized applications.
Due to new 3D printers built, 3D printers with HP can easily print intricate objects using their own software.
CMYK ink is dropped onto the paper then die cut and fused with the next layer. The FDM3D printer is placed on top of an ink-absorbent filament and will then release water from the printer’s filament prior to the application of the next layer of ink. The technology is impressive, although the results are fairly soft and translucent.
However, traditional post-processing methods such as painting or dyeing can be time consuming compared to direct color printing.
Prusa add-on lets you create five different colour printing filaments simultaneously. Available at €299 it only accepts various Prusa 3D printer types of the MK3 and MK3S as well as the Original Prusa i3 MK1200.
With the Multi Material Upgrade, users can complete complex, multi-color prints in a single job, reducing the need for post-processing or assembly.
All colour layouts can be managed by using Slic3r PE software. You may also play on multiple colours or multiple materials simultaneously from standard ABS plastic filaments such as PLA PETG but also carrier plastic filaments such as PVA or BVOH. Prusa add-on is already in its second generation and costs €299.
Blended Creality colour FDM printers use a dual-nozzle configuration. This means you can print in many different combinations of colours. The mixing occurs at the heating edge of the printer head. It’s often used on double extrusion printing machinery. While technically accurate that information may be misleading considering that it does not differentiate from single-nozzle devices.
Blended-color FDM 3D printers offer new palettes of colours that mix with different filaments. It is less popular than separate colour 3D printing in part because it limits users to separate colours using the same materials. On-demand printing will be easy to customize.
Before starting your print, double check your color assignments and blending settings to ensure accurate and high-quality results.
Until recently, full-colour 3D printing was exclusive to expensive industrial additive manufacturing systems from brands such as Stratasys or 3D systems. Nowadays 3D printing has also been available for less than $5K. Industries are increasingly turning to full-color 3D printing for advanced applications. Fewer than ten 3D printing companies can print with a fully photorealistic colour. Best quality desktop PC printing for affordable pricing.
Medical professionals are utilizing full-color 3D printing for surgical planning, education, and patient-specific prosthetics.
Polyjet 3D printing technologies are arguably the most effective way of producing highly realistic 3D printed models in colour. PolyJet technology uses photopolymer resins to achieve high-resolution, full-color models with smooth surface finishes. It provides a new tool for prototyping and assessing designs that do not require that you commit to Vac Casting tooling or to paint and modelmaking.
Full-color 3D printing is increasingly important in product design, enabling the creation of realistic prototypes and detailed models for various design and educational applications.
CMYK inks are dropped onto the paper then die cut and fused with the next layer. The FDM3D printer is placed on top of an ink-absorbent filament and will then release water from the printer's filament prior to the application of the next layer of ink. The technology is impressive, although the results are fairly soft and translucent.
Multicolor refers also to full-colour 3D printing. For clarity, we will refer only to the multicolour for 3D printing for printers and accessories - which can produce 3D printing in a few colours. The form of printing is also known as printing in full colour because 3D printing is completed by printing the filament in one colour. The Prusa Multimaterial Add-on Mosaic Palette is a 3D printer in which print 3D print a variety and types of filament.
Material jetting is a 3D printing process that utilizes thermoplastics or other materials to create models, prototypes, parts and moulds. The three-dimensional objects are built layer-upon-layer with each new layer of material precisely added according to computer instructions translated from CAD drawings. Material jetting uses the fused deposition modelling (FDM) method where powdered material is melted, applied onto one another through a print head that moves on two axes x-axis & y-axis, finally heated into place under pressure for binding.
Looking for a 3d printing service in Plymouth? We offer the best 3d printing services in the area. Our expert team of designers and engineers have years of experience in 3d printing, and can help you bring your ideas to life with customized printing solutions. Whether you need a prototype for an upcoming project, or want to create custom 3d models, we have the tools and expertise to get the job done. So why wait? Contact us today and start exploring the endless possibilities of 3d printing
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At its core, 3D printing involves creating a three-dimensional object from a digital model by laying down successive layers of material.
The advent of 3D printing has revolutionized industries, from healthcare and automotive to aerospace and consumer goods.
In recent years, the 3D printing industry has experienced exponential growth, creating a surge in demand for innovative solutions and products.
Unlock the Future of 3D Printing with Carbon Fiber PAHT CF15
The 3D printing materials market is booming and there are many different types to choose from. There are two main types of 3D printing materials: thermoplastics and photopolymers. Thermoplastics are the most common type of 3D printing material.
