Understand
3D printing and UV printing: personalising a part in colour
Colour 3D printing has limits: a few shades, no photos. UV printing adds fine artwork on the part. How to combine the two, and when.
Published on 29 October 2026 · 6 min read
Contents +
You want a 3D-printed part with colour: a logo, a photo, fine text, a gradient. It is a common request, and the honest answer is that a 3D printer alone does not always go far enough. Pairing 3D printing with UV printing changes that.
Our UV printer arrives in December 2026 and the service is not open yet. This article explains what each technique does, where each one stops, and how they complement each other. You can already prepare a project on the UV printing page.
What colour 3D printing can do
In FDM, colour comes from the filament. The part is built layer by layer in an already coloured material, such as PLA or PETG. Our machines can combine up to four colours in one part, thanks to a filament-changing system.
This works well for:
- a single-colour part in your brand shade;
- a simple two- or three-colour logo, inlaid in the part;
- a bold geometric pattern.
It is colour "through the mass": it does not flake and does not wear off at the surface.
Where it stops
Multicolour 3D printing has physical limits, tied to how the part is built:
- No photos or gradients: you get a few flat shades, not a continuous spectrum.
- Limited fine detail: text a few millimetres high or a very thin line goes beyond the width of a bead of material (around a 0.4 mm nozzle).
- Sharp transitions: colour changes leave crisp edges, sometimes visible joins.
- Extra material: each colour change uses purge filament, which weighs on the cost of a run.
For a gift with a photo or a logo with fine shading, you hit the ceiling quickly.
What UV printing adds
UV printing lays an image in colour straight onto the surface, with ink cured by UV light. If the principle is new to you, our article UV printing: how it works covers it. What matters here:
- it reproduces photos, gradients and fine logos, at 720 × 1440 dpi;
- it adds a white base to keep colours true on a dark part;
- it can add raised texture up to 7 mm and a gloss or matte varnish;
- it applies on rigid plastics, including our 3D-printed parts, on a flat or gently curved face.
The pair: shape in 3D, colour in UV
3D printing makes what no other technique easily achieves: complex shapes, custom supports, unique geometries. UV printing then dresses one face of that part. Both machines being in the same workshop, you get one contact and one order.
A few examples of what the pair allows, as we plan it:
- Plate or panel: a plate with exact dimensions and fixing holes, then a colour design on its face.
- Prototype that looks finished: front panel of an enclosure with icons, labels and brand colours, for a pitch or a trade show. See our rapid prototyping page.
- Signage and displays: a support designed and 3D-printed, with the design printed in UV.
- Part with texture: raised lettering or tactile texture, on top of the volume.
We show no case studies here: the machine is not installed yet. We will publish examples once they exist.
Choosing between 3D colour and UV colour
A simple guide:
| Need | Recommended approach |
|---|---|
| A single colour, a brand shade | Coloured filament, 3D printing alone |
| Logo in 2 to 4 flat colours | Multicolour 3D printing, or UV depending on fineness |
| Photo, gradient, very fine text | UV printing on the part |
| Colour on several complex faces | To study with us: UV works mainly on one flat face |
| Large run of the same pattern | Compare costs, see below |
Remember that UV applies to a flat or gently curved surface. On a very three-dimensional part, colour through the mass is often still the best option.
Preparing the part for UV
A few points to plan from the design stage:
- Provide a flat face for the artwork, preferably printed lying flat in 3D, for a regular surface.
- Pick a base shade: a light or white filament makes colours easier to render, but the white UV base also works on a dark part.
- Mind the size: the UV print area is 330 × 420 mm, while our FDM 3D printers have a volume of about 25 cm per side. For very large parts, we will discuss it on the quote.
- Plan the surface finish: layer lines can show through the print. Sanding or a suitable finish can be considered with you.
We confirm each point with the quote and sometimes ask for a test piece. To understand what drives the cost of a 3D-printed part, see our article how much does custom 3D printing cost.
What about a run?
From keyrings to display stands, a short run is possible: we treat it as a project of its own, with a quote. Our short run page explains how we handle quantities. The price depends on the 3D part and the UV-printed area; we do not display it here, it is calculated on the quote.
To start, describe your part through our online quote or send us your project via the UV printing page.
Frequently asked questions
Can you print a colour photo on a 3D-printed part?
Yes, with UV printing, on a flat or gently curved face. The 3D printer makes the part, the UV printer lays down the photo. The service opens in December 2026; you can already request a quote.
How many colours can direct 3D printing give?
Up to four colours in one part with our FDM machines. Beyond that, or for gradients and photos, UV printing takes over.
Can you do colour printing on PLA?
Yes. PLA is one of the suitable rigid plastics. We can print an artwork in UV on a PLA part, after checking adhesion with a test piece if needed. See our PLA material page.
Does UV printing last on a 3D part?
Cured ink resists scratches and water in everyday use, and varnish adds protection. For a part left outdoors in the sun for a long time, colours can fade: let's talk before you order.
Can you print over the whole surface of a 3D part?
No, UV printing works on one flat or gently curved face at a time. Very three-dimensional shapes and cylindrical objects are not supported for now.
What is the difference between multicolour 3D printing and UV printing?
3D printing makes the volume and combines up to four colours, layer by layer. UV printing lays an image in unlimited colours onto a surface. The two combine.
When will you be able to do it?
The UV printer arrives in December 2026. We prepare quotes and previews now, and schedule orders when we open.