Dyeing 3D Printing Finish

Raw Color Resist

Colors

Compatible Materials

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Custom Colors

nuancier - color chart - farbkarte

Custom colors are available from this catalogue. For more information, please reach out to our sales team

Dyeing Guide

Description

Our Dyeing option is a premium  finish developed with Sculpteo’s state-of-the-art technology. It gives your 3D printed parts a matte appearance that is resistant to friction and wear. Thanks to our specialized post-printing treatment, parts finished with dyeing are durable enough for outdoor or intensive use, offering strong resistance to scratching and rubbing.

You can also count on remarkable color consistency from one production batch to another — ideal when producing a large series of identical parts. The result is a uniform, high-quality surface with a stable, refined color.

If your 3D printed white Nylon PA12 or PA11 parts are likely to be exposed to external conditions for extended periods, we highly recommend applying the dyeing finish to prevent unwanted yellowing over time. This treatment enhances both the appearance and longevity of your finished products.

Dyed parts can also be skin-safe, which makes this finish suitable for certain applications (please contact us for specific details). Moreover, the dyes and additives used in this process provide excellent UV resistance. Some of our customers have used dyed products, such as 3D printed eyewear, daily for many years while maintaining vibrant, UV-stable colors.

In summary, our dyeing solution is the perfect choice for applications where color durability, surface quality, and long-term exposure resistance are essential.e

Surface Preparation
Direction Arrows
Part Dyeing
Direction Arrows
Quality inspection

Process

Submerged in a water bath, the dye penetrates the plastic through a chemical reaction under heat. The penetration depth is typically 0.2 mm and can even be increased using our intensive color solution. No material is added and every surface is reached in the water bath.

Delivery Time

Dyeing can extend the processing time by 1-3 days on average, which means:

  • Express production: unavailable. 

  • Standard production: 1-3 days on average. (depends on lot size)

  • Economy production: unavailable. 

The maximum size for dyeing your models with the Color Resist finish is limited by the physical size of the dyeing tank of our dying pot. Your designs must respect this maximum size in order to be dyed with Color Resist finish. There is no minimum size for dyeing with Color Resist finish.

Maximum size 

390 x 390 x 360mm

The Color Resist dyeing process is compatible with parts of all geometries, from simple shapes to highly intricate or filigree designs. Even the most delicate structures pass through the coloring process without deformation or damage. During dyeing, parts are immersed in a heated water bath where the dye penetrates the plastic through a chemical reaction. This method allows the color to reach areas that would be impossible to coat evenly with paint, ensuring a consistent, homogeneous finish across the entire part.

Because the dye chemically bonds with the material, the parts retain their original geometric and mechanical properties.

However, we advise against hollowing your 3D printed parts. Hollow parts tend to float in the dye bath, which can lead to uneven coloring.

Additionally, note that shallow engravings may trap sandblasting media during the corresponding stage of post-processing. If your design includes engraved text or details, we recommend making them as deep as possible to allow for effective cleaning. For optimal powder removal, and thus better detail visibility, the width of each engraved feature should be at least equal to its depth.

Please also be aware that engraved lines between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm in width may retain traces of cleaning media within the cavities.

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