Multi-colour prints like our cake trinket box come off the printer already coloured, with no painting. There are a few ways to get there.
Three approaches
- Colour change by layer. The printer pauses at a set height and switches filament. Cheap and quick; good for signs and keyrings where colours stack in bands.
- Automatic filament switching. A multi-material unit feeds up to four filaments per unit and swaps them as needed on every layer. This makes faces, logos and patterns possible in any direction.
- Paint after printing. Still the best for very fine detail on figures.
Why it costs more
Every swap purges a little filament to clear the old colour, and each swap adds seconds. On a busy model that can mean hundreds of swaps, extra hours and noticeable waste. Smart design helps: group colours on the same layers, use colour where it shows, and keep tiny details to one or two colours.
Designing for colour
Send a 3MF with colours assigned, or a picture showing which areas should be which colour. We'll suggest a filament palette and show you a preview.
Common questions
How many colours can you print at once?
Typically up to four in one piece, and more with additional units and careful planning.
Can colours match my brand?
We'll get as close as available filaments allow and can send a test swatch for brand-critical jobs.