Typically, 3D printing filaments are single-color, meaning prints will come out in one color. Of course, you can use a dual-extrusion printer or an attachment system like Prusa’s MMU or Bambu Lab’s AMS, but these are typically pretty expensive. You could also choose to manually change your printer’s filament in the middle of a print, but this can sometimes fail and will only result in color changes by layer.

These methods all involve altering the extrusion, but an easier method to achieve multicolor prints is by using multicolor filaments. There are a few different types of multicolor filaments, but the most common are spools of intermittently changing single-color filament strands, where the color of the filament changes after a certain length. Other types of multicolor filaments include thermochromic and UV-changing filaments, which change color with printing temperature and UV light, respectively. However, parts printed with these filaments will still only appear as one color at a time.

Dichromatic, or dual-color filaments, are multicolor at every point, with a different color on each half of the filament strand, almost like colorful toothpaste.

In this article, we’ll go over the best dichromatic filament brands out there. It’s worth mentioning that this type of filament is still a fairly recent innovation, and there aren’t as many options for dichromatic filaments as there are for traditional color-changing filaments. With that in mind, let’s get started!

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The Best Dual-Color Filaments / Dichromatic Filaments

Special Features

Dichromatic filaments have a half-and-half color composition
Dichromatic filaments have a half-and-half color composition (Source: Psyko93 via Reddit)

Before we get into the different dichromatic filaments, we’ll first go over some properties and characteristics of this filament type. Most obviously, before you even load the filament into the printer, you’ll notice that dichromatic filaments don’t look like traditional filaments. The half-and-half appearance of this filament is achieved through a process known as co-extrusion. Co-extrusion involves using two extruders, rather than one, to push two different colors of filament into one strand, with the color divide straight down the middle.

The result is that these dual-color filaments don’t produce the same visual effect as section-based color-changing filaments, which make different sections of a model different colors. Instead, dichromatic filaments produce orientation-based color changes based on their half-and-half composition. This means that the position of your model determines what color you see, making dichromatic filaments great for illusory models like puzzles or display pieces like statues.

Dichromatic filament makes prints look different colors from different perspectives
Different colors from different perspectives (Source: MeepM00PDude via Reddit)

For example, if you were printing a box with a red and blue dichromatic filament, you would see red on some sides and blue on others. This is because only the color on the half of the filament that’s facing the exterior wall will be shown on the final model. Of course, because print moves aren’t always oriented in 90-degree increments, sometimes you’ll see a mix of colors.

Apart from their unique appearance and visual effect on 3D prints, dichromatic filaments aren’t all that different from normal filaments of the same material. Typically, a dichromatic PLA filament can be printed just like any other PLA filament from the same manufacturer.

On the topic of materials, dichromatic filaments are currently only available as PLA. This is likely because the type of filament is quite new, and PLA is the most popular 3D printing material. However, if dichromatic filaments get more popular, we’ll likely see this type of filament for other materials, such as PETG and ABS.

Now that you know how dichromatic filaments are special, let’s get into the selections!

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The Best Dual-Color Filaments / Dichromatic Filaments

Polymaker

Image of: <span class="link" data-action="modal-open" data-modal-ajax="/en/product-overlay/374843/limit/0/">Polymaker</span>
A radiant Rocktopus printed in Polymaker's Dual PLA (Source: Leah via Amazon)

Polymaker is an innovative company known for making a variety of specialized filaments, including variations of PLA. Their PolyLite line, designed to have great printability, includes dual-color silk PLA. As a fun bonus, Polymaker came up with some creative names for their filament colors.

Users have found this filament to have a consistent surface finish. As other makers did, you may have to do some adjustments to your PLA profile; slow down the print speed to improve the sheen and raise the temperature in order to get good results and avoid failures such as clogs.

Polymaker also makes a PolyTerra matte version of dichromatic PLA. PolyTerra filament is a great eco-friendly option. It comes on a recycled cardboard spool and for every spool bought, Polymaker has promised to plant a tree, negating the emissions created through production. Another benefit of this filament is that the matte texture opens up new printing opportunities, such as 3D printed lithophanes in dual color!

  • Price per spool: ~$30 (1 kg)
  • Color combinations: Aubergine, Beluga, Chameleon, Caribbean Sea, Banquet, Sunset, Rose Gold, Lime, Magenta, Black, Crown, and more
  • Available diameters: 1.75 mm
  • Bed temperature: 25-60 °C
  • Hot end temperature: 190-230 °C
Polymaker Dual Silk PLA
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The Best Dual-Color Filaments / Dichromatic Filaments

Overture

Image of: <span class="link" data-action="modal-open" data-modal-ajax="/en/product-overlay/374874/limit/0/">Overture</span>
A purple-gold snake shining to perfection! (Source: Mountain Mama via Overture 3D)

Overture is known for their high-quality filaments, so it stands to reason that they also have a great dichromatic PLA option. This filament is highly rated on sites like Amazon for a good reason.

Many customers found that it prints better than standard silk PLA, which is known to have problems with clogging. The hot end temperature will need to be suitably high, with some recommendations being as high as 230 °C. Another setting that some makers changed is print speed, as slowing down prints produced a nicer sheen.

Another thing to note is that some users reported bed adhesion issues, though this could be remedied with a brim or other forms of adhesion.

  • Price per spool: ~$26 (1 kg)
  • Color combinations: Green-Blue, Gold-Silver, Blue-Silver, Red-Gold, Purple-Gold, Blue-Yellow, Green-Magenta, Green-Silver, Magenta-Gold
  • Available diameters: 1.75 mm
  • Bed temperature: 50-60 °C
  • Hot end temperature: 200-220 °C
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The Best Dual-Color Filaments / Dichromatic Filaments

eSun

Image of: <span class="link" data-action="modal-open" data-modal-ajax="/en/product-overlay/357999/limit/0/">eSun</span>
A dazzling display piece (Source: Oh hey... via Amazon)

eSun’s Silk Magic PLA is a great choice for those looking for dual-color filament with good mechanical properties. eSun claims that this material has improved toughness over average PLA, with the stats to back it up. This includes an IZOD impact strength of 57.64 MPa, doubling other PLA brands, and superior tensile strength, making this filament excellent for mechanical prints and display pieces that will be subjected to regular use. This improved strength makes it more expensive than other options on this list, but considering the quality of eSun PLA, it’s worth it.

Users should be aware of moisture acquired during shipping, as some customers have experienced printing issues related to moist filament. Another thing to note is the lack of documentation concerning the tolerance of eSun Silk Magic PLA, although there have been no complaints of it causing any print quality issues.

  • Price per spool: ~$36 (1 kg)
  • Color combinations: Green Blue, Red Blue, Gold Silver
  • Available diameters: 1.75 mm
  • Bed temperature: 45-60 °C
  • Hot end temperature: 210-230 °C
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The Best Dual-Color Filaments / Dichromatic Filaments

MatterHackers

MatterHackers Quantum PLA comes in many cool color combination like Blue Green
MatterHackers Quantum PLA comes in many cool color combinations, like this blue-green (Source: FilamentFrenzy via Twitter)

MatterHackers is a popular online retailer for 3D printers and relevant accessories, such as hot ends, nozzles, and filament. MatterHackers also produces and sells its own brand of filaments, such as the Build Series and Pro Series, known for their consistent print quality from spool to spool. MatterHackers Quantum is MatterHackers’ own line of dichromatic PLA filaments, and it’s very popular online and one of the first dichromatic filaments available.

Currently available in 12 different color combinations, such as Blue Raspberry, White Green, and Silver Gold, MatterHackers Quantum PLA yields vibrant color changes in prints. While this filament is pretty expensive compared to single-color filaments, it prints very similarly to MatterHackers Build Series filament, with fairly standard PLA temperature requirements.

  • Price: ~$52 (0.75 kg)
  • Color combinations: Blue Raspberry, Silver Purple, Silver Gold, Pink Purple, Pink Yellow, Purple Gold, Blue Green, and more
  • Available diameters: 1.75 (pre-order for most options), 2.85 mm
  • Bed temperature: 50 °C
  • Hot end temperature: 205-215 °C
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The Best Dual-Color Filaments / Dichromatic Filaments

3DJake

You'll need to use a higher-than-normal nozzle temperature to print magicPLA
You'll need to use a higher-than-normal nozzle temperature to print magicPLA (Source: M4ngolicious via Reddit)

3DJake is another online seller of everything related to 3D printing, from printers to replacement parts and, of course, filament. 3DJake’s MagicPLA is a series of dichromatic PLA filaments that are great options if you’re looking for something different.

The filament comes in six color combinations, all with creative names, such as Deep Space, Sunset Sky, and Frozen Lavender. If you’re not looking to spend too much money on filament, you’re in luck because 3DJake offers the MagicPLA filaments in both 250-g and 1-kg spools.

3DJake’s MagicPLA is pretty highly rated online, with multiple customer reviews mentioning that the filament yields an excellent print quality. However, it’s worth noting that many users have also stated in their reviews that the filament was slightly difficult to print compared to other PLA filaments. Moreover, MagicPLA requires abnormally high temperatures for PLA, especially for the nozzle (closer to PETG’s range than PLA’s).

  • Price per spool: ∼$32 (1 kg)
  • Color combinations: Deep Space, Metallic Emerald, Frozen Gold, Sunset Sky, Frozen Lavender, Juicy Peach
  • Available diameters: 1.75, 2.85 mm
  • Bed temperature: 50-70 °C
  • Hot end temperature: 215-235 °C
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The Best Dual-Color Filaments / Dichromatic Filaments

Eryone

Image of: <span class="link" data-action="modal-open" data-modal-ajax="/en/product-overlay/374900/limit/0/">Eryone</span>
Dichromatic PLA looks great from every angle (Source: GolfMotor8025 via Reddit)

Eryone has many high quality filament options, including a dual-color PLA. As with other Eryone filaments, customers recommend its nice finish and vibrant color. In addition, despite the adhesion issues that silk filament can bring about, Eryone claims this should not be an issue with their material. This claim is validated by many customer reviews. All of this comes at a low price point, too, making it easy to give this filament a try!

Eryone’s range is quite exceptional, with 22 color options, including 14 silk and 8 matte variations. Once you have dialed in this filament, you can use a wide variety of colors and finishes with ease. This is a great material to pick up if you want to try out a specialized PLA but don’t want to spend a lot for a good experience.

  • Price per spool: ~$20 (1 kg)
  • Color combinations: Black Gold, Black Purple, Black Red, Black and Rose Red, Blue Green, Matte Red Violet and Green, Matte Blue and Yellow, Matte Teal and Burnt Orange, and more
  • Available diameters: 1.75 mm
  • Bed temperature: 25-65 °C
  • Hot end temperature: 190-220 °C
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The Best Dual-Color Filaments / Dichromatic Filaments

Flashforge

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Different angles show different colors (Source: Flashforge)

Flashforge is a well-known company in the 3D printing community. In addition to manufacturing printers like the Adventurer, Flashforge makes its own line of filament that includes quantum PLA. While this filament works well with the company’s own printers, Flashforge claims that it’s compatible with a wide range of 3D printers. It has an exceptional tolerance of ±0.02 and, according to the company, this produces very clean prints with a smooth finish, which is confirmed by reviews of Flashforge PLAs.

The only negative is the color selection, which is quite limited when compared to other brands on this list, with only four options available. Additionally, some users found 3D prints with Flashforge filament to be dull and not like the advertised color. Nevertheless, with its excellent tolerances, Flashforge Quantum PLA is a great choice of dichromatic filament.

  • Price per spool: ~$28 (1 kg)
  • Color combinations: Blue-Green, Pink-Yellow, Gold-Rose, Blue-Rose
  • Available diameters: 1.75 mm
  • Bed temperature: 25-60 °C
  • Hot end temperature: 190-220 °C
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The Best Dual-Color Filaments / Dichromatic Filaments

Creality

Creality's dual color filament is great for display applications.
Creality's dual-color filament is great for display applications (Source: Creality via Amazon)

Creality is known for its extremely popular lines of 3D printers, including the Ender 3 series. In addition to manufacturing 3D printers, Creality also makes filament that will yield some great results and should be considered by makers, even if it comes at a slightly higher price. It’s a material that also works well with other brands of 3D printers, as makers found it easy to dial in the settings, though it often yields better results at higher hot end temperatures.

Creality’s filament can be brittle, and some users found that the dichromatic filament has the same issue. With that said, it’s best to use it for decorative display models (which makes sense anyway, considering the finish). Even though it’s pricier than other options, this filament will yield some great results and is worth including among the top contenders.

  • Price per spool: ~$33 (1 kg)
  • Color combinations: Blue-Green, Gold-Silver, Pink-Purple, Red-Gold, Yellow-Blue
  • Available diameters: 1.75 mm
  • Bed temperature: 0-60 °C
  • Hot end temperature: 190-230 °C
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The Best Dual-Color Filaments / Dichromatic Filaments

Inland

Image of: <span class="link" data-action="modal-open" data-modal-ajax="/en/product-overlay/374950/limit/0/">Inland</span>
So, is the skull green or gray? (Source: Brandon Harapat via Micro Center)

Micro Center’s Inland filament comes highly recommended for its low price point and high quality. Naturally, their dual-color PLA is no different. It has a wide range of color combinations available, all of which offer vibrant tones and a clean surface finish, which is important for uniform color transitions.

As an added benefit, Micro Center has stores scattered across the US, so you can quickly access some of this filament if you live in the States. Keep in mind that you’ll most certainly need a heated bed, as the recommended temperature is even higher than typical PLA. However, most printers will be able to handle this.

  • Price per spool: ~$25 (1 kg)
  • Color combinations: Green-Blue, Gold-Silver, Blue-Silver, Red-Gold, Purple-Gold, Purple-Gold, Blue-Yellow, Green-Magenta, Green-Silver, Magenta-Gold, and more
  • Available diameters: 1.75 mm
  • Bed temperature: 60-80 °C
  • Hot end temperature: 190-220 °C
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The Best Dual-Color Filaments / Dichromatic Filaments

Redline

Keep things vibrant and colorful with Mystic Silky PLA
Keep things vibrant and colorful with Mystic Silky PLA (Source: Redline Filament via Facebook)

Based in Germany, Redline Filament specializes in developing and manufacturing 3D printer filaments. The manufacturer sells many special filaments, like a glitter PLA, wood PLA, recycled PETG, and carbon-composite filament. Redline Filament’s Mystic Silky PLA is another great dual-color filament option, also available in some excellent color patterns, like Pink Purple and Raspberry Red Aluminium.

Redline Filament states that their Mystic Silky PLA is a great option for beginners due to how easy it is to print. On top of suggesting nozzle and bed temperatures, the manufacturer also recommends printing Mystic Silky PLA with a 55 mm/s print speed to achieve maximum shininess. It’s also worth mentioning that Redline Filament sells sample packs and multi-spool bundles for their Mystic Silky PLA, if you’re just trying it out or want to purchase multiple spools at once.

  • Price: ∼$33 (1 kg)
  • Color combinations: Blue Pink, Green Purple, Purple White, Gold Yellow, Green Yellow, Gold Aluminium, Raspberry Red Aluminium, and more
  • Available diameters: 1.75 mm
  • Bed temperature: 60 °C
  • Hot end temperature: 205-225 °C

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