Since the beginning of the consumer 3D printer, Taiwanese 3D printer manufacturer XYZPrinting has offered highly affordable machines. Most of their 3D printers are either targetted at kids, consumers and even professionals. They are also known to use proprietary filament for most of their machines.

In September 2017, XYZPrinting announced the da Vinci Color, the first full-color machine under $4,000. All3DP has seen the parts manufactured on this machine on several trade shows. We were impressed with the quality and colorfulness of the prints. Still, the color palette is more on the matte side. So if you expect glossy prints, you’d have to post-process the prints accordingly. Nevertheless, the da Vinci Color mini is capable of printing “millions of colors” though additive color printing, as the press release puts it.

So, what’s new in the da Vinci Color mini?

• Inkjet meets FFF: Like its bigger brother, the da Vinci Color, the da Vinci Color mini differs from many other color 3D printers. The machine uses combines inkjet printing with a fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing process. The material printed is white PLA or XXXX. This means the color bits are applied in the printing process itself. If you compare it to 2D printing, the PLA material would be the paper, on which tiny ink dots form a color experience. XYZPrinting calls this “3DColorJet technology”.
• Not only for color 3D printing: The printer isn’t made only for color 3D printing. According to XYZPrinting, you can buy single color PLA, Tough PLA, PETG. If you go for an optional extruder, you can even print carbon and metallic filaments.
• Ink management: In order not to waste precious ink (which is expensive, as all inks tend to be), the da Vinci Color mini doesn‘t color the whole object inside out. Instead, only outside layers are getting a color treatment.
• Software: XYZprinting offers a dedicated slicing software “XYZmaker” for the da Vinci Color mini. With it, you can import PLY and OBJ files to get the right colors and textures. Also, there’s the “XYZmaker mobile” available for iPad and Android. Supported file types are .amf , .ply , .obj , .stl , .3cp, .3mf.
• Build volume: The build volume of the da Vinci Color mini is 129 x 129 x 129 mm (5.1 x 5.1 x 5.1in), which is relatively small.
• Comfort Features: With the da Vinci Color mini, you’ll get WIFI printing, a removable bed, and auto-calibration.
• Proprietary system: Don’t expect to buy the inks or 3D printing material for the da Vinci Color mini from other vendors. XYZPrinting is known to offer a closed proprietary system, and to our knowledge, the da Vinci Color mini is no exception.
• Color LCD: The da Vinci Color mini comes with a 5-inch color LCD screen for smoother operation.
• Upgradable: Looks like the goodness doesn‘t stop there: The da Vinci Color mini will be upgradable. According to the press release, there will be a laser engraving function for wood, leather, and other materials.