Multicolor 3D printing can be a challenge, but it can also lead to perfect results. Achieving a multicolor 3D print used to require meticulous and sometimes tedious methods, such as manually changing colors or assembling many small parts.
Nowadays, 3D printers capable of working with different colors and materials are becoming commonplace, and creating impressive and colorful 3D prints is possible with many desktop machines. Some printers like the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon use automatic filament-swapping devices to get the job done; in this particular case, it’s the proprietary Bambu Lab AMS. Similar devices are also available as a separate upgrade for other machines, with the Prusa MMU module and the Mosaic Palette being the most popular choices. While similar in function, each system has its own nuances that make it essential to know your equipment well. For example, to use Prusa’s MMU you will need STL files, but if you’re using Bambu Labs’ AMS, the 3MF format is preferred.
If you’re looking for high-quality color printing but don’t have a suitable printer, you can count on Craftcloud by All3DP to bring you a wide range of colors, materials, and manufacturers who can get the job done right. Or, if you’d like to give multicolor prints a shot using what you may already have in hand, stay with us until the end for tips on multicolor prints without expensive upgrades.
Now it’s time to dive into the world of colorful 3D prints!
RMS Titanic
Quite simply the most famous ship in the world, the RMS Titanic sank in 1912 at a time when color TV was far from existing. It was in 1997 that the story of this ship gained vivid color, as did the short and tragic romance experienced by Rose and Jack in the film that won 11 Oscars. Whether to collect or decorate your aquarium, printing your own colorful Titanic will be more fun than painting it.
This particular 3D model hasn’t won any Oscars yet, but it has won over many fans of the film. Replicated on a scale of 1:1,000, this design has incredible detail and you’ll only need five different filament colors to replicate it. The designer successfully printed his own model using the Prusa i3 MK2 printer with the MMU module and noted that the parts are optimized for configuration in Slic3r software.
- Who designed it? vandragon_de
- How printable/popular is it? This amazing model has 35 makes and almost 44,000 downloads.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Marlin
This adventurous little clownfish was also the winner of Disney’s first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. With vibrant and detailed colors, painting this model without having a steady hand would be a real challenge. Luckily, we have color 3D printing. To make color 3D printing even easier, a 3MF format file is available.
In the comments, there are some tips on filament selection to obtain a smoother surface finish, but you can also check out our article on the best filaments to see which will suit your setup and needs the best.
Now that you’ve found Marlin, you just need to find the best colors to decorate your table with this adorable little fish.
- Who designed it? cipis
- How printable/popular is it? With more than 50 makes and 3,700 downloads combined from both sites, you can finally stop looking.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Printables
Globe
There are many globe models out there, but they can be full of demarcations that aren’t always exactly as we would like them to be. This globe uses just four different colors but is full of details, giving Earth a more natural look. Once printed, it’s perfect as a beautiful decoration object or even as a study aid.
The globe is 6 cm in diameter, with the hemispheres printed separately and a stand that only requires one color. In all, it takes around 20 hours to be ready due to color changes with a layer height of 0.2 mm for a good resolution. You can find this model in 3MF format with all of the assigned colors to make printing easier.
- Who designed it? alvismalphie
- How printable/popular is it? There have been more than 120 downloads and a beautiful make shared.
- Where to find it? Printables
Fred the Frog
Many little frogs out there would like to be as cute as this one; with his charm, he draws a lot of attention from the 3D printing community. There are many different types of frogs in the most diverse colors in nature, so why not invent yours in your favorite color? Even if you choose an unusual shade or unique filament, he never loses his charm.
This template is a special remix for color printing that’s available in 3MF format so you can easily adjust it to your own color scheme. Many makes have managed to successfully replicate this friendly amphibian in printers such as the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, Prusa i3, and even the Prusa XL using only two colors.
- Who designed it? Bendermk6 (Remixed from Xx_SushiCat_xX)
- How printable/popular is it? The 1,300 downloads and 25 makes indicate that many have already fallen for this cutie.
- Where to find it? Printables, Thingiverse
Mandalorian
The Mandalorian is a hugely successful series from the Star Wars saga and this inseparable duo is definitely one of the coolest things to print in color. Although a challenging model to get right, it’s possible with the right tools. While we have more resources than ever to print in color, it’s still essential to have some skill with slicers to be able to complete the task correctly.
This model, for example, is only available in STL format and requires 1,756 color changes, so several files need to be merged and configured in the slicer in order to successfully print in color. Once ready, the model is approximately 151 mm high.
- Who designed it? iczfirz
- How printable/popular is it? This Mandalorian has 251 downloads and 5 impressive makes.
- Where to find it? Printables
Nozzle Storage Chest
Whether or not you have a color 3D printer, you know that it’s best to have a few spare nozzles on hand. Not everything works out the first time and you don’t want to leave your print waiting for a new nozzle in case something unforeseen happens, right?
Depending on the nozzles you use, they can represent a small fortune, so there’s nothing better than a pirate chest to keep your treasure safe from messes. For printing this model, you won’t need supports but you will need four different colors, one of which should be a flexible material for the hinges. You’ll be able to store up to 15 nozzles in this beautiful, well-ornamented trunk. You’ll get bonus pirate points if one of the filaments is wood PLA.
- Who designed it? Robagon
- How printable/popular is it? Almost 3,500 makers have downloaded this model and 1 posted a beautiful make before hiding their treasure.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Color Lithophane
After the emergence of smartphones with powerful cameras and social networks, many lost the habit of developing and printing their photos. We see photos everywhere, it’s true, but that doesn’t mean that decorating your room with printed pictures is out of fashion. For a new take on an old tradition, try printing your favorite photos as a colorful lithophane to add a touch of magic to your best memories.
Printing of a colored lithophane will take some time to get right and may require a special filament set like Bambu Lab’s CMYK Filament Bundle. In the model found on Cults, you will find STL files for those working with multi-filament solutions like the Mosaic Palette or Prusa’s MMU. If you’re working with Bambu Lab’s AMS that prefers 3MF files, check out the Printables page instead.
It’s worth noting that changes in scale and other criteria aren’t recommended in order to preserve the quality of the lithophane.
- Who designed it? PatternToPrint
- How printable/popular is it? Together these models already have more than 7,000 views, 200 downloads, and 3 makes.
- Where to find it? Printables, Cults
Anatomic Heart
Books are important, but 3D models are cooler and more educational. Of course, technology nowadays allows you to use augmented reality to feel immersed in your studies, but nothing is more immersive than having a real model in your own hands. This anatomically correct heart model is perfect for education as well as decoration for any office.
To make this model you can choose between the STL and 3MF files shared by the designer. No internal supports are needed, making post-processing a breeze. The model was designed to be printed with Prusa’s MMU2 and uses five colors to provide incredible detailing of arteries and veins. Print speed can vary greatly depending on your printer, with some reporting a completed print in less than two days, but for others, it took more than four.
- Who designed it? Malte
- How printable/popular is it? This heart has 8,700 views, over 1,400 downloads, and 14 makes.
- Where to find it? Printables
Ferrari 246 F1
For any Ferrari lovers here, this is a wonderful remixed design for full-color printing. The original single-color model only contains four parts but this remix is divided into 15 STL files to be merged together. Depending on your equipment, you can experiment with different materials like TPU for the tires. Creativity here can take you far!
In the comments, there are makes printed with up to nine different colors and there’s praise for the ease of printing when working with Prusa’s MMU2S. A fun detail here is that the cockpit can sit a small doll! Once ready, the model is 125-mm in length.
- Who designed it? Cipis
- How printable/popular is it? With 78 downloads and 4 makes, you too can have your dream car in no time.
- Where to find it? Printables
Braided Vases
This may look like a simple color print, but it will definitely challenge your printer. When it comes to making a good color 3D print, it comes down to how accurately your equipment can swap between colors, otherwise, you may end up with obvious bleeding in a complex print like this.
The designer offers three versions, two different models of bicolor braiding and one to be made in a single color. Note that although it looks like just a braid of simple filaments, the printer needs to be very well calibrated so that stringing does not occur between color changes. Check out the final results in a video posted by the creator.
- Who designed it? DaveMakesStuff
- How printable/popular is it? 780 makers have already downloaded this model and 1 posted a beautiful make of this intricate design.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse
Alternative Methods
Creating a 3D print with vibrant and expressive colors doesn’t always call for specialized equipment. Your creativity can take you far, and after all, there is always more than one path to success!
If you don’t have a multicolor printing system, there are still a few ways you can achieve striking, colorful prints.
Print Separately & Assemble
While this approach may seem as simple as what the title suggests, it will generally require a lot of attention to detail to get right. Before printing, be sure to take notice of critical aspects such as the scale of each part and how they can be assembled and glued together once printed.
Many files for multicolor printing are already available in separate parts according to color, which means you don’t even have to bother splitting the STL yourself. The model of Sonic shown in the image above is a beautiful example of this approach. The designer used a normal printer to make each of the pieces and then fit them together to obtain the final colorful model without needing a single drop of paint. Another good example is this two-tone ring made with different colors that fit together.
Pause at Layer Height
This method involves pausing a print on a specific layer, manually changing the filament for another of a different color, and then continuing to print the same object with the new color. Most FDM printers are compatible with this method and it can be performed as many times as necessary for a single model.
Use this approach for prints with raised lettering or to use up pieces of filament left over from another print. The big disadvantage of this process is that, in addition to being slow, it can contaminate the next color if the remaining material in the nozzle isn’t purged correctly.
For each printer and slicer, there will be a slightly different way to do this, however, one of the easiest is using the “Pause at height” feature in the Cura slicer. Read more about this technique in our article on the topic.
Painting
This is the most obvious of the options for making a colorful 3D print without a multicolor solution, but it shouldn’t be overlooked because it also gives you the most possibilities. Painting requires patience, good tools, and practice to achieve good results, but it can certainly be worth the effort.
For the best painting results, a clean surface is of utmost importance. After assembling the parts, it’s essential to check for gaps in the joints and, if necessary, fill in cracks and sand the surface smooth. After ensuring that the entire surface is well-prepared, it’s best to use a primer to aid in color adhesion.
License: The text of "10 Great Multicolor 3D Prints to See Life in Color" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.