# 3D Printers, multiple colors. How are they? How to set the surface colors? etc

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3d-printers-multiple-colors-how-are-they-how-to-set-the-surface-colors-etc/990633>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Tags:** computer-hardware\
**Created:** [September 24, 2023, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3d-printers-multiple-colors-how-are-they-how-to-set-the-surface-colors-etc/990633 "2023-09-24T14:35:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2023, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3d-printers-multiple-colors-how-are-they-how-to-set-the-surface-colors-etc/990633/1 "2023-09-24T14:35:38Z")

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**This is about the printers now selling in the $600 and below range.**

I’m not ready by any means to upgrade, but I’ve notices multicolor printers keep dropping in price.

- Do they do a decent job of mixing colors like a Laser or Inkjet printer?
- What software let you color the 3D model?
- Does it only mix the surface or does each layer need to be the same color?
- Is this a tech that is almost ready for home use or one that is 3,5,10 years away?

_I know the answer for printers that cost $2000+ is they work great._

Most of my printing is minis for D&D and other tabletop games.