In order to add different color text to 3d print, you usually have to create the model with 3D modeling software capable of multi-color printing or employ methods such as multi-material printing.
multicolor prints can be obtained by extracting one filament and replacing it with another filament of a different color. This is a great way of accentuating your 3D prints or avoiding the hassle of painting the models. In this guide, we’ll take you through 3D printing in multiple colors, Here’s a general guide on how you can achieve it:
Table of Contents
Designing in 3D Modeling Software:
Use any 3D modeling software such as Blender, Tinkercad, Fusion 360, or any other software to create your 3D model with the text that you’d like to include.
Ensure that the text is created as a separate object or part of the model where you want the color change to occur.
Multi-Color 3D Printing:
Most likely, if you have a 3d printer, it is already set up to print in multiple colors. It is simply a question of how complex the final part will be. If you only need to make a single or double color change on one part, you can get by with a normal single extruder 3D printer.
On the other hand, if you want to full production mode for a batch of parts, you’ll probably have to upgrade your single extruder 3D printer to handle the changes automatically. The same goes for those who want hundreds or thousands of color changes in a single model.
If you must save either time or production material, you will require a 3D printer with more than one head. What I have noticed is that you can utilize either a dual extruder where the two extruders share a rail or an extruder switching system such as a CNC tool changer.
If you own a multi-color 3D printer, you can assign the individual parts of your model to be different colors during slicing.
In your slicing program (Cura, PrusaSlicer, Simplify3D), load your 3D model and assign the different components or pieces of the model (and the text) to be different colors.
Multi-Material 3D Printing:
- For more complex multi-color prints, you may require a multi-material 3D printer that can handle multiple filaments simultaneously.
- Model design with separate pieces for different colors, for example, the text, and assign different materials to each piece.
- Configure your print settings in your slicing software to account for the different materials being used.
Color Changing Filament
There are two kinds of color-changing filament. The first is a color change after a specific length of filament. This is most widely known as rainbow filament. The colors sometimes change as many as five or six times, depending on the company, before the colors start to repeat. The color change on the model takes place in the z-direction.
The results will vary depending on the width and height of the model. In models that are wide in the x and y axis, the changes in color will be more frequent. The taller the part, the more color changes will be introduced to the part.
Painting in the Slicer
This method can take any model and tint its surface. You can either smart fill, which fills in between hard corners, or paint using your mouse as you would in the paint program.
The cool part about this process is that it can be applied to any model, even one that isn’t intended for multicolor 3D printing. Any model can be downloaded from the internet, and color can then be manually added, creating a completely new, original model.
Multiple Extruder 3D Printers
Multi-extruder machines possess more than one print head. Instead of the filament being drawn in and out of one hot end, the multi-extruder machines load one spool into each print head. This allows you to print components in various colors and with varying materials.
Multi-material can include parts that use PLA as a material but ABS as a support material. You can also combine ABS and TPU. ABS will be the main component, and the TPU is added as a gasket to attach to another part. Combinations are endless.
Post-Processing Techniques:
- If you don’t have a multi-color or multi-material 3D printer, you can consider post-processing techniques.
- Print the model in a single color and then manually paint the text with different colors after the print has finished.
- You can also use vinyl stickers or decals for adding colored text to your 3D print.
External Textures:
Another method is to create a texture map with the desired text and apply it to the surface of your 3D model. This method is often used for more complex designs and textures.
Before attempting multi-color 3D printing, ensure that your printer supports the feature or that you have the materials and equipment necessary for the post-processing techniques. Experiment with different techniques to achieve the desired result and ensure that the text is visible and legible on the 3D print final product.
Put a different color text on a surface without emboss or debase?
If you have to put text in a second color on a region without debossing or embossing, you can use some simple methods based on the surface:
- Printing (Perfect for Paper, Plastic, and Textile)
Print colored text directly on the surface using screen printing, digital printing, or UV printing.
No change of texture, simply a new color exchange. - Paint or Spray (For Walls, Wood, and Metal)
Stencils + spray paint or acrylic paint are perfect for a flat, colored text appearance.
Ideal for signs, do-it-yourself projects, or furniture. - Vinyl Letters or Stickers (For Smooth Surfaces Such as Plastic & Glass)
Cut out colored vinyl letters or apply a full-color sticker.
No texture added—only a color change. - Dye Sublimation (For Polyester Fabrics, Mugs, and Coated Surfaces)
Transfers the color into the material itself, smoothes it.
Suitable for bespoke clothing or promotional products. If you’re dealing with a particular material, tell me—I’ll assist you in selecting the most appropriate method!
Additional tips :
Burrowing in a bit assist, I see that checking “utilize surface” content box causes the included (emblazoned or debossed) content to take after the forms of the surface, which can be bended… a really valuable choice! But it doesn’t show up to have anything to do with putting content specifically on the surface (without embossing or debossing) that can be colored within the slicer’s painter in an unexpected way from the encompassing zone.
The CAD like highlights of PrusaSlicer are crisis stopgaps for when there’s no way better choice. It’s continuously way better to do the work in CAD in case conceivable.
For a flush impact cut the content out of the body as on the off chance that debossing at that point fill the space with the real content. Connected is an illustration both level and taking after a surface bend, it is aiming for 0.2mm layers.
Unfasten and stack both records together as parts, allot each to a distinctive extruder and cut.
Look at the person files to see the method.