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Post-processing · Dyeing

Colour for your 3D printed parts

SLS parts in PA12 are naturally grey-white. Dip dyeing gives them an even, permanent colour – most often deep black.

Advantages

Why dyeing?

Colour penetrates the surface layer

The colour soaks into the surface – a scratch does not immediately reveal the grey.

Uniform look

Consistent colour even in channels and undercuts.

Close to series look

Dyed parts look like finished products.

Combinable

Even higher quality with blasting or chemical smoothing.

Process

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Cleaning

    The part is depowdered and cleaned.

  2. Step 2

    Preparation

    If necessary, the surface is blasted.

  3. Step 3

    Dyeing

    The part is evenly dyed in a warm dye bath.

  4. Step 4

    Inspection

    Rinsing, drying and visual inspection.

Suitable for

Which processes and materials?

Process / materialSuitabilityNote
SLS · PA12 / PA11very goodporous surface absorbs colour well
SLS · TPUgoodshade depends on material
FDMvia the filamentwe choose the colour directly with the material
SLAlimitedbetter to paint or use coloured resin
Typical applications

Where it pays off

Visual components and housings
Parts that must match the product design
Colour coding of variants
Small series with a series-production look
Good to know

Notes

Standard colour
Black is most popular; other colours on request
Shade
may vary slightly depending on material – request samples for colour specifications
Dimensions
Dyeing practically does not change the dimensions
No paint
Dyeing is not a coating and does not peel off
Dyeing at a glance

Why dye instead of paint?

Paint sits on the surface and can chip. In dip dyeing, the colour soaks into the porous surface layer of SLS and MJF parts – a scratch does not immediately reveal the grey underneath. The colour also reaches channels and undercuts evenly, and dimensions practically do not change.

Standard is a deep black; we offer other colours on request. Combined with blasting or chemical smoothing, dyed parts look like series products. For FDM we choose the colour directly via the filament, for SLA via coloured resin or painting.

Suitability

SLS · MJFporous surface, absorbs colour well
FDMcolour directly via the filament
SLArather paint or coloured resin
Standard colourblack, others on request
FAQ

FAQ about dyeing

Which colours are possible?

Black is standard. We offer other shades on request – just ask us.

Is the colour permanent?

Yes, it penetrates the surface layer. Under strong UV exposure it may fade slightly over the years.

Can FDM parts be dyed?

With FDM we choose the colour directly via the filament – that is simpler and more uniform.

Your project · Our know-how

Want to turn your idea into a finished part?

Send us CAD data, a photo, a sketch or the original part. We check feasibility, process and material and get back to you with an assessment and a quote.

Discuss your project+49 171 1271928