Full-color 3D printing

Achievable with just a handful of 3D printing systems, full-color 3D printing involves the selective application of a large number of colors to a part while it is printed. The resulting parts feature photorealistic colors, which can be useful for realistic prototypes or end-use parts.

Different 3D printing technologies, including binder or material jetting, can handle full-color printing, but professional systems cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Full-color 3D printing is different from multicolor printing, which can involve as few as two colors — as with twin-extruder FFF printers, for example. Due to high hardware costs, full-color printing is typically offered as a service.