With the explosion of “multicolor” 3D printers from the likes of Bambu Lab, Prusa, and Creality, monochrome 3D prints are becoming a thing of the past. But did you know there’s a step above multicolor?
“Full-color” 3D printing produces lifelike prints in thousands of colors — from accurate skin tones to Pantone matching — just like when you print a photograph on 2D color printer.
Full-color 3D printing is not home technology; it is only possible with a handful of professional machines, which makes 3D printing services the only access point for most people. Fortunately, you have more options than ever today, yet it pays to understand your full-color options since the final parts look a bit different. Plus, ordering full-color 3D prints, we found out, from a 3D printing service can be a bit tricky, so we’ll guide you though what you need to know to get the lifelike colors you want.
What to Know About Ful-Color 3D Printers
Not all full-color 3D printers are the same, so having a better understanding of the available tech will help you determine the best path for your specific needs.
Some full-color 3D printers use inks or dyes applied to color the printing material during printing, while others mix already colored (CMYK) materials in the right proportions to create colors. Each printer uses different color printing methods: 3D Systems uses ColorJet Printing, Stratasys uses PolyJet, and Mimaki uses Inkjet.
Stratasys and Mimaki are the most popular full-color 3D printers today, but you may still find services offering full-color from 3D Systems (CJP) and HP (ColorJet) even though the latter two have discontinued their full-color 3D printers (more details below).
Stratasys (PolyJet) Full-Color 3D Printing
Stratasys is an industry leader, having been in the business for over 30 years, and invented PolyJet printing, which they use in several of their 3D printers, including the J55.
The PolyJet process uses liquid resin dispensed through inkjets. Not all PolyJet is full color, but the printers that are use a photopolymer material in CMYK colors is added to the print bed layer by layer. In between, each layer is cured with UV light, enabling the user to adjust the transparency of each color. This produces vibrant colors with smooth gradients and fine details, making it ideal for realistic prototypes, medical models, and detailed product designs.
As mentioned above, you can’t use STL files to 3D print full-color PolyJet. You can use a CAD program like Rhinoceros or Solidworks and save your color files as a VRML or you can download GrabCAD Print, which is the CAD and slicer software used on PolyJet 3D printers. In GrabCAD, you can import your STL and assign color values to parts then export them as VRML or 3MF. Stratasys offers this handy tutorial.
You’ll especially want PolyJet for crystal clear elements and larger-scale prototypes.
Mimaki (InkJet) Full-Color 3D Printing
Mimaki, founded in 1975, has a long history in 2D color printers. Its emergence into 3D printing came when its 3DUJ-2207 printer hit the market in 2020.
Using inkjet-based UV-curable resins, the Mimaki technology is able to achieve a wider range of colors than any other in our list, which is ideal for skin tones and fine art pieces. It stands out for its exceptionally rich and precise color output. The results, right from the printer, are a bit matt and chalky compared to PolyJet, but you can apply a wide variety of finishing polishes to boost the vibrancy.
You’ll want Mimaki’s technology especially for realistic gradients on prints just as faces and animals.
3D Systems (ColorJet) Full-Color 3D Printing
US-based 3D Systems used a technology called ColorJet Printing (CJP), which binds layers of fine powder with colored ink. This method is cost-effective for producing large, full-color models quickly, such as architectural models or concept prototypes. The company quietly discontinued CJP (except for its use to 3D print full color dentures). You may still find it on offer from 3D printing services, though.
ColorJet can also be used to print photo-realistic parts in full CMY color with small feature details and the ability to use full texture and UV mapping to better emulate the look, feel, and style of product designs. Parts can be sanded, drilled, tapped, painted, and electroplated, expanding the options available for finished part characteristics.
You’ll want to look for CJP if your colored part may encounter daily use or undergo come wear and tear.
HP (ColorJet) Full-Color 3D Printing
Although HP’s multicolor printer, the JetFusion 580, is no longer in production, you may still find it being offered by some printing services, so it’s worth knowing about. This printer was designed to be compact and affordable, gearing itself towards small to medium sized development teams, designers, and universities. Although the color quality may not be as vivid as that of Mimaki or Stratasys, this technology combines speed, durability, and full color to render your prototypes to life.
Full-Color 3D Printing Services
Whether you want life-like figurines of your dog or true-to-life color prototypes to impress your client, there are several suitable services to turn to for product prototypes and artwork. If you specifically want curstome figurines, you can also turn to several specialty services we feature at the end that can also create the digital file for you.
Note that a standard STL file does not hold color information, it only contains geometric data. To store color information, a 3D file must be in any of these formats: OBJ, PLY, 3MF, or VRML (WRL).
Craftcloud
Craftcloud is a 3D printing marketplace that connects you with manufacturers around the world, enabling you to compare prices in real time to find the best deals possible. It offers the widest variety of color options in the market, including Stratasys PolyJet, HP multicolor, and multicolor FDM.
First, upload your colored digital file (3MF, OBJ/MTL) and click on the “Material Groups” tab. Scroll down to the last option “multicolor”. Once you select this option you’ll be presented with the three Craftcloud color options, FDM, PolyJet, and HP, plus their prices for each. Note that the site’s preview will still show the model in gray, even when you select the full color option.
Craftcloud partners with well-known manufacturers, such as Shapeways, Materialise, and Sculpteo, who have years of experience and serve many 3D printing networks, along with specialty manufacturers vetted for quality.
Unlike some other manufacturing networks, Craftcloud discloses the prices of each partner, and you choose the one that best fits your criteria. Still, Craftcloud takes care of the entire process from order to delivery to ensure your parts are printed and shipped to your satisfaction, all with no additional fees and no minimum order value.
Stratasys Direct
Stratasys Direct is a manufacturing and rapid-prototyping service from Stratasys, the creators of PolyJet technology — so you’re in good hands when it comes to full-color 3D printing. Stratasys Direct offers a wide range of resins from transparent to opaque, and can achieve over 500,000 custom colors.
To order a full color part, simply make an account and upload your files to the instant quoting system. You can also contact a PolyJet advisor to get expert advice on which material and technology is right for your project.
If you’re specifically looking for PolyJet, check out the article below where we list the top PolyJet 3D printing services.
Marketiger
If you’re located in the EU, Marketiger is a good choice for full-color printing. Netherlands-based Marketiger uses Mimaki’s full-color technologies to achieve up to 10 million colors and high-resolution details for gaming, medical, and industrial prints.
For the most seamless quoting experience, make sure your files are in a UV-textured OBJ format, with the accompanying MTL and texture files included in a ZIP file.
Once you’ve registered your account, upload your files into the quoting system. The model will be viewed and processed by the Marketiger team, ensuring that the files are optimized for color accuracy, resolution, and structural integrity. Once that’s all approved, you can order the part to go into production. Marketiger especially values their post-processing and overall quality control, cleaning and curing each piece to guarantee stability and a clean finish.
Although Marketiger is based in the EU, they can ship worldwide.
Materialise OnSite
Materialise specializes in rapid prototyping and manufacturing in the aerospace, eyewear, and medtech industries, among others. Among a wide variety of 3D printing technologies, Materialise uses PolyJet for its full color capabilities.
To obtain a full color quote from Materialise, first click on “online 3D print services,” and then hit the blue “get instant quote” button. This will automatically direct you to Materialise OnSite, where you can make an account and upload your 3D models. Just make sure you select Polyjet, as this is currently the only full color technology in use at Materialise.
You can then select from several material options for your full color print — Vero, Veroclear, Agilus, and a Vero/Agilus composite. Vero is rigid but offers excellent surface detail, which is why it’s often blended with Agilus, a rubber-like resin with better tear resistance. Whether you’re printing a lifelike figurine that will be displayed on a shelf, or a full color anatomy model that could be passed around a classroom, Materialise also offers support to help you determine the right materials for your project. At the bottom of your screen, you’ll find a contact form, as well as a phone number.
Order Full Color Figurines
When full-color 3D printing debuted about 10 years ago, there was a flood of companies offering to 3D scan you (or your dog or your kids) and print out color figurines for gifts, wedding cake toppers, and just to collect. All3DP even wrote an interview with the CEO of the now shuttered Twinkind called “3D Figurines are Here to Stay”. Apparently, they weren’t.
The problem then was getting the digital model. It required 3D scanning people or things in person, which was time consuming, then using software to generate a 3D model. Although some companies still do this, technology has changed. Not only are 3D scanning and 3D scanners far more affordable and faster than in 2015, the software is much more powerful, easier to use, and faster. Plus, you can also create a 3D digital file from a photograph with a little bit of AI from software companies, such as Alpha3D, MeshyAI, or 3DAIStudio.
This has led to a small revival of sorts for the business of custom figurines. 3D printed figurines of both real people and gaming characters is a bit more accessible than before driven by companies like these we feature below.
Separating these from the companies above is their offer to help you generate the digital file from which the figurine is 3D printed. If you generate your own 3D model, you can use the services above.
OnlyGames
OnlyGames, a MyMiniFactory company, is an online community and marketplace to purchase gaming and fantasy figurines designed by indie creators. You can find everything from fantasy orcs, dragons, and robots, to historical samurai and knight figurines.
Originally appealing to hobbyists who want to hand paint their figurinese, the company also offers “pre-colored” figurines, many of which are full-color 3D printed.
For creators, the ability to finally print in full color was a huge step forward. OnlyGames now has its own digital factory, where creators and artists can upload their models and print a supply of full-color figures to their customers.
CEO Alex Ziff remarked: “Not only do we get to produce stunning pre-colored 3D models, but we get to help indie creators develop a new skill. Digitally coloring designs for 3D print is an exciting art form in itself, and we’re on the brink of seeing an explosion of talented 3D colorists.”
HeroForge
HeroForge, the popular site for custom 3D printed tabletop miniatures, launched itself into the full-color 3D printing sphere in 2020 when their Kickstarter campaign raised $1.7 million, presumably to purchase one or more full-color 3D printers. But the company is more than a service, it has a configuration portal so you can quickly assemble your own miniature.
All of the full-color plastics on HeroForge are printed using InkJet printing technology, giving the piece an array of vivid colors and gradients. This technology also employs water-soluble support material, which means there will be no marks where supports or sprues would have been placed during the printing process.
Recently, the company announced that its latest Kickstarter project to fund a program to offer full-color 3D printed custom gaming dice was fully funded.
MiMe
MiMe, an Ohio-based company, specializes in what is perhaps the most custom 3D printing projects: miniatures of yourself. Simply email the team with photographs (or, if you’re in the Ohio area, have photos taken in their studio), and MiMe will print a lifelike, full color 3D model. These could be wedding cake toppers for a couple, a bust of a loved one, or even a model of a beloved pet.
Beyond custom figurines, MiMe also offers a wide range of 3D printing resources, including spare parts, classes, consulting, and courses (some of these are only available in person, at their Ohio studio).
My3D Selfie
My3DSelfie specializes in creating custom 3D printed figurines from standard 2D photos. Their product range includes full-body human figurines, family sets, bobbleheads, busts, fantasy characters, pet replicas, and personalized wedding cake toppers. The company does not disclose its 3D printing technology but YouTube videos show some Stratasys PolyJet 3D printers.
Over the years, My3DSelfie has expanded globally with offices in the U.S., Canada, India, and Belgium.
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