Best Multicolor 3D Printers

3D printing technology has rapidly evolved, and one of the most exciting advancements is the ability to print in multiple colors. Multicolor 3D printers allow for more complex and visually appealing creations, expanding the possibilities for designers, hobbyists, and professionals alike. In this post, we'll explore some of the best multicolor 3D printers on the market, highlighting their key features and benefits, including print area size, waste management, and prices.

Best Multicolor 3D Printers

Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Combo 3D Printer

 

• Price: $1,449
• Print Area Size: 256 x 256 x 256 mm
• Description:A high-speed, multi-color 3D printer that offers exceptional print quality and efficiency.
• Key Features: Automatic material system (AMS) for multi-color, high-speed printing, advanced cooling system.
• Waste Management: Uses an efficient waste management system with minimal purging required, reducing material waste.
• Why It's Great: Ideal for users looking for high-speed, high-quality multicolor prints with minimal waste.

Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D Printer

 

• Price: $349
• Print Area Size: 120 x 120 x 120 mm
• Description: A compact and affordable multi-color 3D printer designed for ease of use and portability.
• Key Features: Automatic material system (AMS) for multi-color printing, user-friendly interface.
• Waste Management: Efficient purge system to minimize filament waste.
• Why It's Great: Perfect for beginners or those with limited space, offering quality multicolor prints in a small footprint.

Geeetech A20M Mix Color 3D Printer

 

• Price: $199
• Print Area Size: 255 x 255 x 255 mm
• Description:An affordable 3D printer with dual extrusion capabilities for mixing colors.
• Key Features: Dual extruders, color mixing technology, easy assembly.
• Waste Management: Uses a purge block or transition tower to manage color changes, resulting in some waste.
• Why It's Great: Budget-friendly entry into multicolor 3D printing with innovative color mixing technology.

Geeetech A20T Mix Color 3D Printer

 

• Price: $299
• Print Area Size: 250 x 250 x 250 mm
• Description: Similar to the A20M, but with three extruders for even more color options.
• Key Features: Tri-color capability, easy setup, stable printing performanc
• Waste Management: Uses a purge block or transition tower to manage color changes, creating some waste.
• Why It's Great: Offers an economical way to achieve more complex multicolor prints with tri-color mixing.

Crane Quad Full Color 3D Printer

 

• Price: $999
• Print Area Size: 200 x 200 x 200 mm
• Description: A unique 3D printer capable of full color printing by mixing CMYK filaments.
• Key Features: CMYK color mixing, innovative design, open-source software.
• Waste Management: Includes a purge block to handle color transitions, generating some waste.
• Why It's Great: Provides advanced multicolor printing capabilities with the potential for full color spectrum prints.

XYZprinting Da Vinci Color Full Color 3D Printer

 

• Price: $2,999
• Print Area Size: 200 x 200 x 150 mm
• Description: A full-color 3D printer that uses inkjet technology combined with FDM to achieve color prints.
• Key Features: Full color spectrum printing, user-friendly software, integrated color system.
• Waste Management:Inkjet and filament waste management system to minimize excess material.
• Why It's Great: Ideal for producing detailed, full-color models and prototypes with ease.

Prusa Multi Material Upgrade Color 3D Printer Adaptor

 

• Price: $299 (for the MMU2S)
• Print Area Size: Dependent on the base printer used (typically 250 x 210 x 210 mm for Prusa i3 MK3S+).
• Description: An upgrade kit that allows Prusa printers to print with up to five different filaments.
• Key Features: Multi-material capability, reliable performance, open-source design.
• Waste Management:Uses a wipe tower to purge excess filament, reducing color contamination but generating some waste.
• Why It's Great: Adds versatility and precision to Prusa printers, making it a favorite among multicolor 3D printing enthusiasts.

Original Prusa XL Assembled 5-toolhead 3D Printer

 

• Price:$3,999
• Print Area Size:360 x 360 x 360 mm (14.17" x 14.17" x 14.17")
• Description:Large-scale CoreXY 3D printer Optional tool changer to operate up to 5 independent toolheads Capable of handling up to five different spools
• Key Features: Automatic Material System (AMS) for multi-color, high-speed printing. Rigid steel frame, aluminum shell, and CoreXY motion systemLIDAR-assisted automatic calibration and inspection
• Waste Management: Efficient system with minimal purging required, reducing material waste
• Why It’s Great: Ideal for high-speed, high-quality multicolor prints with minimal waste. Known for reliability and ease of use. Intuitive Bambu Studio software, suitable for both beginners and advanced users

Anycubic Kobra 3 Combo

 

• Price:$549
• Print Area Size:250 x 250 x 260 mm (9.8" x 9.8" x 10.2")
• Description: Multicolor 3D printer with the Anycubic Color Engine (ACE)
• Key Features: Fast print times. Affordable combo version, Multifilament printing, Auto bed leveling and input shaping with an onboard accelerometer.
• Waste Management: Slicer without means to tune the waste purge during color swaps
• Why It’s Great:Offers a compelling package for enthusiasts and professionals. Enables multifilament prints. Excellent workflow and software.

LOTMAXX Shark V3

 

• Price: $399
• Print Area Size: 235 x 235 x 265 mm
• Description: A versatile 3D printer with dual extruders for multicolor and multi-material printing.
• Key Features:Dual extrusion, laser engraving capability, modular design.
• Waste Management:Uses purge blocks or prime towers to handle color changes, creating some waste.
• Why It's Great: Offers multifunctionality and reliable multicolor printing at an affordable price.

Open Source Add-ons for Multicolor Functionality

Adding multicolor functionality to regular 3D printers can be achieved with several open-source add-ons. Here are five of the most popular ones:

Prusa Multi-Material Upgrade 2S (MMU2S)

 

• Description: The MMU2S allows for up to five filaments to be used in a single print.
• Key Features: Compatible with Prusa i3 MK3S+, user-friendly, detailed setup guide.
• Why It's Great:It seamlessly integrates with Prusa printers, offering reliable and efficient multicolor printing.

Mosaic Palette 3 Pro

 

• Description: A device that splices multiple filaments into a single strand, compatible with most FDM 3D printers.
• Key Features: Supports up to eight colors, easy setup, intuitive software.
• Why It's Great: Transforms standard 3D printers into multicolor machines, expanding creative possibilities.

Enraged Rabbit Carrot Feeder (ERCF)

 

• Description: The ERCF is an open-source multi-material unit (MMU) designed for 3D printers using a single Direct Drive toolhead. It’s compatible with VORON printers and any 3D printer running Klipper or potentially RRF.
• Key Features:

The ERCF enables automatic filament changes, allowing for multi-colored prints or easy filament loading. The ERCF v2 includes an optional integrated filament buffer system (ERCT), filament cutter option (ERF), and recommended tool head sensor modifications.

• Why It’s Great: The ERCF brings multi-material capabilities to 3D printers, enabling multi-colored prints and easy filament loading. The v2 update enhances functionality with new features and leverages the Happy Hare firmware MMU control software with Klipper Screen extensions.

Chameleon 3D Color Mixing Hotend

 

• Description: The 3D Chameleon is an affordable and easy-to-use upgrade that adds multiple colors or materials to any 3D printer1. It works by taking advantage of the existing mechanical hardware on your 3D printer to automatically remove and reinsert the filaments when a color (or material) change is required.
• Key Features: The 3D Chameleon is compatible with any 3D printer that uses 1.75mm filament1. It uses standard GCode commands to select the color, requiring no modifications to your electronics or firmware. The 3D Chameleon Mk4, the latest version, is a four-color changer.
• Why It’s Great: The 3D Chameleon offers an affordable and easy solution to upgrade your 3D printing experience. It allows you to say goodbye to single-color prints and expensive upgrades1. With the 3D Chameleon, you can enjoy the freedom of colorful 3D printing without the need for complex electronics or firmware updates..

FAQ

What 3D printers can use multiple colors?

• 3D printers that can use multiple colors typically have dual extruders or use an accessory like the Palette 3 Pro. Examples include the Prusa i3 MK3S+ with MMU2S, Raise3D Pro2 Plus, BCN3D Sigma D25, and FlashForge Creator Pro 2. These printers can handle multiple filaments and switch between them during the printing process, enabling the creation of multicolor objects.

Which type of 3D printer can print multiple material types together?

• FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printers with dual extruders or IDEX (Independent Dual Extruder) systems can print multiple material types together. Examples include the Raise3D Pro2 Plus and BCN3D Sigma D25. These printers allow for the combination of different filaments, such as PLA with PVA (for support structures) or flexible materials with rigid ones, within a single print.

Can Ender 3 print multicolor?

• The Ender 3 itself is a single-extruder printer and cannot print multicolor directly out of the box. However, it can be upgraded with accessories like the Palette 2S or Palette 3 Pro to enable multicolor printing. These devices splice different filaments together, allowing the Ender 3 to produce multicolor prints without needing multiple extruders.

Can resin 3D printers do multiple colors?

• Most resin 3D printers are designed for single-color prints. However, some advanced models and techniques allow for multicolor resin printing. This usually involves manually changing the resin color during the print or using a dual-extruder setup for UV-curable resins. Multicolor resin printing is less common and typically more complex than multicolor FDM printing.