Multicolor 3D Printing: How to Create Colorful Prints Without Gluing
Imagine a 3D printed dragon with red wings, a green body, and golden details – all in one print, without gluing, without painting. This is the magic of multicolor 3D printing, which we now offer to you.
What is Multicolor 3D Printing?
Traditional FDM printers print in one color. Modern systems like Bambu Lab AMS (Automatic Material System) allow for automatic switching of multiple filaments during a single print.
How It Works
- The model is divided into parts – Each part has an assigned color
- The printer alternates filaments – Automatically changes material as needed
- Seamless result – Colors blend directly during printing
Important: Purge Tower and Price
Multicolor printing is beautiful but can be significantly more expensive. Why?
The Problem: Purge Tower
When the printer changes color, it must clean the nozzle of the previous filament. This is done by extruding material into an auxiliary structure called a "purge tower."
What this means in practice:
- Each color change = 2-5 grams of waste
- 10 color changes = 20-50 grams extra
- A 10-gram model can have a 50-gram purge tower!
How to Save: Divide by Colors
Wrong: 4 objects of different colors on one plate
- Changes: 15-20× each layer
- Purge tower: ~80 grams
- Extra cost: ~100-150 CZK
Right: 4 objects on 4 separate plates
- Changes: 0×
- Purge tower: 0 grams
- Savings: ~100-150 CZK
Golden Rule: If objects do not need to be on the same plate, separate them by color.
How to Upload a Multicolor Model
Option 1: 3MF with Colors
Do you have a model painted in Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, or OrcaSlicer? Excellent!
- Export as 3MF
- Upload to our application
- The system automatically extracts colors and matches them to available filaments
Our color matching algorithm considers perceptual distance – colors are compared as perceived by the human eye.
Option 2: Manual Assignment
If the model does not have assigned colors:
- Upload STL or 3MF
- In the editor, click on the color swatch for each part
- Select from the palette of available filaments
- Observe the real-time change in the 3D preview
Tips for Saving
1. Limit the Number of Colors
For most projects, 1-2 colors are sufficient. Each additional one:
- Adds 2-5 grams of waste per layer
- Increases print time by 5-10%
2. Group Objects of the Same Color
Do you have 10 organizers – 5 black and 5 red?
✅ Good: Plate 1 (5× black) + Plate 2 (5× red) ❌ Bad: All 10 on one plate
3. Consider Gradient Filaments
Want a rainbow effect? Instead of 5 colors, use a gradient filament (Silk Rainbow) – you print 1 color, but it looks like more!
4. Less Contrast = Less Purging
Colors from the same family (dark blue + light blue) require less purging than extremes (black + white).
When is Multicolor Printing Necessary?
Some models cannot be separated:
- Flexi models – joints must be a single piece
- Puzzles – parts must fit precisely
- Mechanisms – moving parts in a single print
In these cases, a purge tower is inevitable.
Our Favorite Multicolor Products
Flexi Dragons and Animals
- Movable joints without assembly
- Combination of 2-4 colors
- Immediately ready to play
Organizers with Labels
- Labels printed directly in a contrasting color
- No stickers that peel off
Decorative Items
Vases, figurines, and home decorations with artistic combinations.
Configuration in the Application
Step 1: Upload Model
3MF with colors or STL. Colors will be automatically loaded from 3MF.
Step 2: Check Matching
The system automatically assigns the closest filaments. You'll see the result in the preview.
Step 3: Adjust (Optional)
Don't agree? Click on the part and choose a different color.
Step 4: Monitor Price
The price recalculates in real-time, including the influence of the purge tower.
Summary
Multicolor printing opens up new possibilities but requires a thoughtful approach:
✅ Use 1-2 colors where possible ✅ Separate objects by color onto individual plates ✅ Group objects of the same color together ✅ Consider gradient filaments for a rainbow effect
More tips can be found in the documentation Color Optimization.