Multicolour filaments for 3D printing
Multicolour filaments combine several colours in a single strand. In the Dual Color and Tri Color versions, two or three colours run side by side along the whole strand, so the print changes colour depending on the angle you look at it from. Rainbow and gradient filaments shift smoothly from one colour to the next along the length of the spool. You get the colour effect without changing spools and without a multi-material printer.
At Filamentor you will find multicolour Silk PLA with a silky sheen and colour-gradient PLA from Smart print, Professional lab (Prof. lab) and Polymaker. They print as easily as ordinary PLA and suit vases, figurines, decorations and gifts.
Buying guide
Multicolour filament combines two, three or more colours in a single strand. This allows you to print a colourful model on a standard single-nozzle printer, without changing the spool and without a multicolour printing system. In our range, you will find silky Silk PLA in Dual Color and Tri Color variants, rainbow Silk PLA and gradient PLA from the brands Smart Print, Prof. lab and Polymaker. They all have a diameter of 1.75 mm and are just as easy to print as standard PLA.
Types of multicolour filament
- Dual Color and Tri Color: two or three colours run side by side along the entire length of the strand. Each side of the print has a different colour, and the model changes shade depending on the viewing angle.
- Rainbow and gradient filaments: the colour changes smoothly along the length of the spool. This creates colourful stripes and transitions on the print depending on the height of the model.
Ideal uses for multicolour filament
- Vases and plant pots printed in vase mode, where the colour transitions stand out beautifully on a large surface area.
- Figures, statues and decorations that need to look colourful without any additional painting.
- Gifts, ornaments and small items where you want each piece to be slightly unique.
- Articulated models and toys where the Dual Color and Tri Color effect shifts as they move.
Recommended print settings
You can print multicolour Silk PLA exactly the same way as single-colour Silk PLA. Always refer to the values on the spool label first.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 200 to 230 °C |
| Build plate temperature | 0 to 60 °C |
| Enclosure | Not required |
| Top tip | With rainbow filaments, the full colour transition will only show on larger models. On a small print, you will often only see one or two colours. |
Multicolour filament or a multicolour printer?
A multi-spool printer places each colour exactly where you set it in the slicer, but at the cost of material changes, waste and longer print times. Multicolour filament does not place colours precisely, but it prints without any waste or slowdowns and works on any single-nozzle printer. Therefore, choose a multicolour printer for a precise logo or text, and multicolour filament for a colourful effect across the entire model.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need special slicer settings for multicolour filament?
No. You print it just like a single colour, as the slicer does not know about the different colours. With Dual Color and Tri Color filaments, the orientation of the model on the build plate determines the result, while for rainbow filaments, it depends on the model's height.
Will every spool look the same?
Not exactly. The shades and how the colours blend on the print can vary slightly between production batches. With rainbow filaments, it also depends on where on the spool the print starts. Because of this, the exact result cannot be guaranteed, making every print slightly unique.
Will the spool fit in a Bambu Lab AMS?
Yes. The 1 kg Smart Print and Prof. lab spools are plastic, with a diameter of around 200 mm and a width of 63 to 65 mm, so they fit perfectly into both the Bambu Lab AMS and AMS 2 Pro.
If you are looking for other materials, browse all filaments in our shop. You can find single-colour silky materials among our Silk PLA filaments; for standard prints, we offer classic PLA filaments, and our budget filaments are perfect for working prototypes.