{"id":14111,"date":"2023-10-26T08:17:41","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T08:17:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/articles\/3d-printing-color-2\/"},"modified":"2023-12-15T14:25:55","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T14:25:55","slug":"3d-printing-colour","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/en-uk\/articles\/3d-printing-colour\/","title":{"rendered":"Colour 3D Printing Options Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"<div role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Table of Contents\" class=\"simpletoc wp-block-simpletoc-toc\"><h2 class=\"simpletoc-title\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"simpletoc-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#h-two-3d-printing-colouring-methods\">Two 3D Printing Colouring Methods<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#h-types-of-colour-3d-printing\">Types of Colour 3D Printing<\/a>\n\n\n<\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"#h-colour-3d-printing-options-available-at-xometry\">Colour 3D Printing Options Available at Xometry<\/a>\n\n\n<\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"#h-post-processing-options-for-colouring\">Post-processing Options for Colouring<\/a>\n\n\n<\/li>\n\n<li><a href=\"#h-how-to-prepare-your-design-for-colour-3d-printing\">How to Prepare Your Design for Colour 3D Printing?<\/a>\n\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#h-conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When designing products or their elements one of the essential features can be colour. Among other advantages, <a href=\"https:\/\/xometry.eu\/en\/3d-printing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3D printing<\/a> can be effective when you need to manufacture parts of different colours. This article will overview two possible options to get your 3D printed parts in colour: direct colour 3D printing and post-processing that will make your parts coloured.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-two-3d-printing-colouring-methods\"><strong>Two 3D Printing Colouring Methods<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>There are two most popular ways to get colourful 3D prints:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Get parts directly printed in colour<\/strong>: using the print material (powder or filament) of desired colour<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get parts post-processed<\/strong>: for example, you can use standard colour material (Grey\/White) and dye it with desired colour<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-types-of-colour-3d-printing\"><strong>Types of Colour 3D Printing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-direct-3d-printing\"><strong>Direct 3D Printing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Direct colour 3D printing uses a colourful filament to 3D print your models. For example, FDM is the most popular 3D printing technology that can use colourful filaments. Bright colours and nice details can be achieved depending on the quality of the filament. The main drawback with direct colour 3D printing is, it won\u2019t allow you to mix the colours, so you can\u2019t choose any RAL colour with the standard solutions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-indirect-3d-printing\"><strong>Indirect 3D printing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Indirect colour 3D printing applies the colour from an external source during the printing process (e.g in Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing). This technology is much more precise and allows for a more realistic appearance of the 3D prints. It is important for you to remember that indirect colour 3D printing uses <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/CMYK_color_model#:~:text=The%20CMYK%20color%20model%20(also,describe%20the%20printing%20process%20itself.&amp;text=Such%20a%20model%20is%20called,and%20blue%20from%20white%20light.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CMYK colour mode<\/a> and you need to take that into consideration when preparing your model.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-colour-3d-printing-options-available-at-xometry\"><strong>Colour 3D Printing Options Available at Xometry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) and Fused deposition modeling (FDM) are the two popular colour 3D printing technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-colour-fused-deposition-modeling-fdm\"><strong>Colour fused deposition modeling (FDM)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<p>FDM is one of the most commonly used 3D printing technologies on the market FDM parts are available in a wide range of colours (Black, Blue, Grey, Ivory, Red) in the most common materials like ABS and ASA.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When 3D printing multi-coloured parts using FDM you must use the same material throughout the entire part. For example, you cannot go from printing in white ASA to black ABS. Generally, common materials like ASA, PLA and ABS come in a wide selection of colours. In order to get a multi-coloured part, split the CAD model into parts of different colours and assemble them later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Advantages:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Achieves bright colours and nice details<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Good mechanical properties&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Disadvantages:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Monotonous colours (e.g Lego blocks) and not as precise as MJF colour printing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mixing of colours is not possible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><div class=\"wp-block-image__wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC_0930-1440x960-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Coloured FDM 3D prints\" class=\"wp-image-14068\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.499267935578331;max-width:653px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC_0930-1440x960-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC_0930-1440x960-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC_0930-1440x960-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC_0930-1440x960-1.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><a class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button\" href=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC_0930-1440x960-1.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"gallery-14111\" data-caption=\"Coloured FDM 3D prints\" aria-label=\"Open full image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DSC_0930-1440x960-1.jpg\" class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><svg class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 18\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n               <path d=\"M0 2V6H2V2H6V0H2C0.895 0 0 0.895 0 2ZM2 12H0V16C0 17.105 0.895 18 2 18H6V16H2V12ZM16 16H12V18H16C17.105 18 18 17.105 18 16V12H16V16ZM16 0H12V2H16V6H18V2C18 0.895 17.105 0 16 0Z\" fill=\"#092C47\"\/>\r\n             <\/svg><\/a><\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Coloured FDM 3D prints<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-colour-multi-jet-fusion-mjf\"><strong>Colour Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Multi-Jet Fusion is the only technology that can print engineering-grade plastics (Polyamide (Nylon 12)) in full colour. With this technology, you can produce full-colour functional parts while maintaining optimal mechanical properties. Since it is indirect 3D printing, it is capable of\u00a0creating full-spectrum colour parts with a <a href=\"https:\/\/garage.hp.com\/us\/en\/innovation\/meet-the-voxel-3d-printing-building-blocks.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">voxel-control system<\/a> and is much accurate with colour reproduction.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Advantages:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mechanically strong \u2013 can be used for end-use parts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cost-efficient, especially with small and mid-sized series<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High productivity \u2013 can be used for batch production<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This technology is much more precise and allows for a more realistic appearance of the 3D prints<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Disadvantages:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Transparencies not possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not suitable for very small, delicate parts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><div class=\"wp-block-image__wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/MJF-PA12-Flame-Red-and-Multicolor-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"MJF PA12 Flame Red and Multicolor\" class=\"wp-image-1223\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;max-width:651px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/MJF-PA12-Flame-Red-and-Multicolor-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/MJF-PA12-Flame-Red-and-Multicolor-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/MJF-PA12-Flame-Red-and-Multicolor-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/MJF-PA12-Flame-Red-and-Multicolor-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/MJF-PA12-Flame-Red-and-Multicolor.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><a class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button\" href=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/MJF-PA12-Flame-Red-and-Multicolor.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"gallery-14111\" data-caption=\"Coloured MJF 3D prints\" aria-label=\"Open full image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/MJF-PA12-Flame-Red-and-Multicolor.jpg\" class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><svg class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 18\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n               <path d=\"M0 2V6H2V2H6V0H2C0.895 0 0 0.895 0 2ZM2 12H0V16C0 17.105 0.895 18 2 18H6V16H2V12ZM16 16H12V18H16C17.105 18 18 17.105 18 16V12H16V16ZM16 0H12V2H16V6H18V2C18 0.895 17.105 0 16 0Z\" fill=\"#092C47\"\/>\r\n             <\/svg><\/a><\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Coloured MJF 3D prints<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-post-processing-options-for-colouring\"><strong>Post-processing Options for Colouring<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>If a filament or powder of the desired colour is not available or the technology you want to use doesn&#8217;t offer a colour print material, colouring at post-processing is an option. <\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-spray-painting\"><strong>Spray Painting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>As the name indicates, spray painting is the coating of paint on the 3D part using spray paint cans and a very common colouring technique that is used even for conventionally machined parts. One major drawback is, the paint coating is just on the surface level; it doesn&#8217;t go deeper into the part and hence, if it is scratched or subjected to wear and tear, the internal natural colour is visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Technologies compatible: <\/strong>MJF, SLS, SLA, FDM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><div class=\"wp-block-image__wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/MJF-PA12-Black-Spray-Painting-Closeup-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"MJF PA12, black spray painting\" class=\"wp-image-2355\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.248780487804878;max-width:304px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/MJF-PA12-Black-Spray-Painting-Closeup-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/MJF-PA12-Black-Spray-Painting-Closeup-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/MJF-PA12-Black-Spray-Painting-Closeup-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/MJF-PA12-Black-Spray-Painting-Closeup-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/MJF-PA12-Black-Spray-Painting-Closeup-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><a class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button\" href=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/MJF-PA12-Black-Spray-Painting-Closeup-scaled.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"gallery-14111\" data-caption=\"MJF PA12, black spray painting\" aria-label=\"Open full image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/MJF-PA12-Black-Spray-Painting-Closeup-scaled.jpg\" class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><svg class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 18\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n               <path d=\"M0 2V6H2V2H6V0H2C0.895 0 0 0.895 0 2ZM2 12H0V16C0 17.105 0.895 18 2 18H6V16H2V12ZM16 16H12V18H16C17.105 18 18 17.105 18 16V12H16V16ZM16 0H12V2H16V6H18V2C18 0.895 17.105 0 16 0Z\" fill=\"#092C47\"\/>\r\n             <\/svg><\/a><\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">MJF PA12, black spray painting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"dyeing\"><strong>Dyeing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Unlike spray painting, which coats the paint only on the surface of the part, dyeing colours the plastic deeply. This assures vibrant colours in particular and also makes it possible to avoid the phenomenon of peeling or scratching which can occur with spray paint. The lack of excess thickness prevents loss of detail, thus conforming most closely to the original design. This quality is critical and most important when 3D printing technology has been selected because of the design complexity. Many users prefer dyeing a part in black due to its uniformity in colour and its overall look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Technologies compatible: <\/strong>MJF, SLS<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">    <section class=\"article-slider-block\">\r\n        <div class=\"article-content-wrapper\">\r\n            <!-- Swiper -->\r\n            <div class=\"swiper mySwiper2 article-slider-display\">\r\n                <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\r\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\r\n                                <div class=\"wp-block-image__wrap\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-yellow-dyed-closeup.jpg\" alt=\"\"\r\n                                    >\r\n                                    <a class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button\" href=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-yellow-dyed-closeup.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"gallery\" data-caption=\"SLS PA 12 dyed, yellow\" aria-label=\"Open full image\">\r\n                                        <img src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-yellow-dyed-closeup.jpg\" class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\r\n                                        <svg class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 18\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n                                            <path d=\"M0 2V6H2V2H6V0H2C0.895 0 0 0.895 0 2ZM2 12H0V16C0 17.105 0.895 18 2 18H6V16H2V12ZM16 16H12V18H16C17.105 18 18 17.105 18 16V12H16V16ZM16 0H12V2H16V6H18V2C18 0.895 17.105 0 16 0Z\" fill=\"#092C47\"><\/path>\r\n                                        <\/svg>\r\n                                    <\/a>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"article-slider-text\">\r\n                                    <p>SLS PA 12 dyed, yellow<\/p>\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                            \r\n                                                        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\r\n                                <div class=\"wp-block-image__wrap\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-green-dyed-closeup.jpg\" alt=\"\"\r\n                                    >\r\n                                    <a class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button\" href=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-green-dyed-closeup.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"gallery\" data-caption=\"SLS PA 12 dyed, green\" aria-label=\"Open full image\">\r\n                                        <img src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-green-dyed-closeup.jpg\" class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\r\n                                        <svg class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 18\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n                                            <path d=\"M0 2V6H2V2H6V0H2C0.895 0 0 0.895 0 2ZM2 12H0V16C0 17.105 0.895 18 2 18H6V16H2V12ZM16 16H12V18H16C17.105 18 18 17.105 18 16V12H16V16ZM16 0H12V2H16V6H18V2C18 0.895 17.105 0 16 0Z\" fill=\"#092C47\"><\/path>\r\n                                        <\/svg>\r\n                                    <\/a>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"article-slider-text\">\r\n                                    <p>SLS PA 12 dyed, green<\/p>\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                            \r\n                                                        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\r\n                                <div class=\"wp-block-image__wrap\">\r\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-red-dyed-closeup.jpg\" alt=\"SLS PA 12 dyed, red\"\r\n                                    >\r\n                                    <a class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button\" href=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-red-dyed-closeup.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"gallery\" data-caption=\"SLS PA 12 dyed, red\" aria-label=\"Open full image\">\r\n                                        <img src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-red-dyed-closeup.jpg\" class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"SLS PA 12 dyed, red\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\">\r\n                                        <svg class=\"wp-block-image__fancy-box-button-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 18\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\r\n                                            <path d=\"M0 2V6H2V2H6V0H2C0.895 0 0 0.895 0 2ZM2 12H0V16C0 17.105 0.895 18 2 18H6V16H2V12ZM16 16H12V18H16C17.105 18 18 17.105 18 16V12H16V16ZM16 0H12V2H16V6H18V2C18 0.895 17.105 0 16 0Z\" fill=\"#092C47\"><\/path>\r\n                                        <\/svg>\r\n                                    <\/a>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"article-slider-text\">\r\n                                    <p>SLS PA 12 dyed, red<\/p>\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                            \r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            <div thumbsSlider=\"\" class=\"swiper mySwiper article-slider-list\">\r\n                <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\r\n                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-yellow-dyed-closeup.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-green-dyed-closeup.jpg\" alt=\"\">\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\r\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sls-pa12-red-dyed-closeup.jpg\" alt=\"SLS PA 12 dyed, red\">\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                                        <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-prepare-your-design-for-colour-3d-printing\"><strong>How to Prepare Your Design for Colour 3D Printing?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Not all file formats for 3D printing, like .stl, .catpart, contain information on the desired colours. If you want to print your model with colour, especially with MJF, we advise you to create and upload an additional .obj file with colour texture specifications, while calculating the costs. Whereas with FDM, any file format works as the filament itself is coloured.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conclusion\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>As you can see, there are 2 approaches to get colourful 3D prints: produce them with the technologies that allow to add colour during the 3D printing process (FDM, MJF) or post-process them with dyeing or spray painting. Both options are cost-effective and usually don\u2019t substantially increase the cost of the 3D prints (on average by 10-15%). Check out the available colour options, prices,  and lead times by uploading your CAD files to the Xometry Instant Quoting Engine\u00ae.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":14098,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[],"c-tag-articles":[],"global-tag":[491,607,592],"class_list":["post-14111","articles","type-articles","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","global-tag-3d-printing-uk","global-tag-materials-uk","global-tag-post-processing-uk"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.7 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Colour 3D Printing Options Overview | Xometry Pro<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Check out the two options for printing 3D parts in colour: direct colour 3D printing or post-processing that will make your parts coloured.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/en-uk\/articles\/3d-printing-colour\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Colour 3D Printing Options Overview | Xometry Pro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Check out the two options for printing 3D parts in colour: direct colour 3D printing or post-processing that will make your parts coloured.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/en-uk\/articles\/3d-printing-colour\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Xometry Pro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-12-15T14:25:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/xometry.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Coloured-3D-printed-parts.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/articles\\\/3d-printing-colour\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/articles\\\/3d-printing-colour\\\/\",\"name\":\"Colour 3D Printing Options Overview | Xometry Pro\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/articles\\\/3d-printing-colour\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/articles\\\/3d-printing-colour\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/Coloured-3D-printed-parts.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-10-26T08:17:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-12-15T14:25:55+00:00\",\"description\":\"Check out the two options for printing 3D parts in colour: direct colour 3D printing or post-processing that will make your parts coloured.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/articles\\\/3d-printing-colour\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/articles\\\/3d-printing-colour\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/articles\\\/3d-printing-colour\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/Coloured-3D-printed-parts.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/Coloured-3D-printed-parts.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1707,\"caption\":\"Colored 3D printed parts\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/articles\\\/3d-printing-colour\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Articles\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/articles\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Post-Processing\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/global-tag\\\/post-processing-uk\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Colour 3D Printing Options Overview\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/xometry.pro\\\/en-uk\\\/\",\"name\":\"Xometry Pro\",\"description\":\"Knowledge &amp; 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