Industrial Colour Solutions for 3D Printed Polymers
Prototal utilises DyeMansion DeepDye Colouring (DDC) technology to transform your raw 3D printed parts into high-end consumer and industrial products. Our automated system ensures color consistency and repeatable quality across every batch.
Unlike traditional painting, DDC process uses molecular penetration under heat and pressure to colour the parts, which give scratch-resistant, vibrant finish that penetrates up to 200 microns into the surface. With DDC you can access to over 170 RAL and standardised colours, with the ability to create custom “colour-to-match” tones for your specific brand.
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Coloring at a Glance
| Feature | Prototal Colouring Capability | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | DyeMansion DeepDye Colouring | Industrial-grade batch repeatability |
| Colour Depth | Molecular Penetration (0.2 mm on SLS PA 2200) | Scratch-resistant finish |
| Colour Range | 170+ RAL Colours & Custom Tones | Exact brand identity matching |
| Maximum Part Size (Ø x H) | 390 x 360 mm | Uniform colour for large-scale components |
| Compatible Technologies | MJF, SLS, SAF* & FDR | Optimised for Powder Bed Fusion polymers |
| Compatible Post-Processing | Vibratory Finishing, Bead Blasting & Vapour Smoothing | Optimised most post-processing technologies |
| Biocompatibility | Certified Dyeing Options | Skin-safe for wearables & med-tech |
For vibrant or specific colour matching, lighter base materials (such as SLS PA 2200 or MJF PA 12 W) are recommended as they provide a neutral canvas for the DyeMansion process. Darker base materials, such as MJF PA 12, are natively suited for high-quality Black Dyeing. *Due to the chemical properties of SAF Polypropylene (PP), we do not recommend coloring or dyeing these components as the dye cannot penetrate the material as well.
Quote Your Next Project
Looking for high-quality industrial 3D printing solutions tailored to your needs? Our team is ready to provide a detailed quote for your project. Simply share your specifications, and we’ll deliver a clear, competitive estimate — no surprises, just precision and reliability.
Why choose us?
- 3D printing solutions for any scale and complexity
- Fast and accurate quoting process
- Local presence close to your business and business needs
FAQs
Whether you are navigating the transition from prototyping to serial production or optimising an existing supply chain, we are here to provide the technical clarity you need. These answers address the most common considerations for industrial-scale 3D printing. If your specific challenge isn’t covered here, our application engineers are ready to discuss your project’s unique requirements and help you find the most efficient path to production.
We use the DyeMansion DeepDye Colouring process for our powder-bed polymers. Unlike painting, this process uses molecular penetration to reach depths of up to 200 microns (measured on SLS PA 2200). This results in a scratch-resistant finish that won’t chip or peel, making it suitable for high-use industrial components and consumer wearables.
Yes. Through the DyeMansion system, we can match over 170 RAL colors and offer custom colour-matching for Pantone and NCS systems. We ensure batch-to-batch consistency so that every part in your serial run looks identical.
Standard dye colouring is not UV stable, but we offer specialised coatings for applications requiring long-term light resistance.
While our DyeMansion molecular dyeing provides a vibrant and scratch-resistant finish, the organic pigments used in the process can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight or intense UV radiation. For parts intended for outdoor use or prolonged light exposure, we recommend the following:
- UV-Protective Clear Coats: We can apply a professional-grade, UV-resistant clear lacquer over the dyed surface to act as a shield, significantly extending the color’s life.
- Industrial Spray Coating (Painting): For maximum durability, we offer high-quality automotive-grade painting in specific RAL or Pantone colors. These coatings are natively UV-stable and provide the best protection against both sunlight and harsh weather conditions.
If your project requires a specific colour to remain consistent in an outdoor environment, please let our team know, and we will help you select the most durable finishing strategy.
By utilising the DyeMansion DDC with standardised color recipes and digital process control, we ensure industry-leading repeatability. While minor variations can occur due to different raw material batches, our automated workflow is designed to deliver consistent results across multiple production runs, making it a reliable solution for serial manufacturing.
Yes, through our automated dyeing systems. Unlike manual spray painting, which is limited by “line-of-sight,” the DDC process involves total immersion in a pressurised, heated bath. This ensures that the dye reaches every internal surface, lattice structure, and complex undercut, providing a 100% uniform finish regardless of geometric complexity.
Our DyeMansion DDC process has a negligible impact on part dimensions, making it ideal for high-precision components. Scientific testing show that the dye molecules occupy the microscopic voids within the polymer structure. It does not add a measurable physical layer to the surface.
For Industrial Spray Coating (Painting), a thin layer of primer and lacquer is added to the surface. If your part has extremely tight tolerances or interlocking assemblies, please notify us during the quoting stage so we can account for the coating thickness or mask critical areas.
We generally do not recommend colouring for SLA or DLP parts, but we can accommodate special requests for prototyping purposes. Unlike Powder Bed technologies (MJF and SLS) which have a porous structure ideal for molecular dyeing, SLA and DLP resins are high-density thermoset polymers. This means:
- Surface-Only Adhesion: Dyes cannot penetrate the material deeply; the color remains on the surface and is susceptible to scratching or wear.
- Material Integrity: The chemical baths used in automated dyeing can sometimes affect the mechanical properties or dimensional stability of high-precision resins.
- Alternative Solutions: For professional-grade aesthetics on SLA/DLP parts, we typically recommend industrial spray coating (painting). This provides a durable, UV-stable finish and allows for exact RAL or Pantone matching.
If you require a specific colour for a one-off prototype and are aware of these limitations, our team can perform a custom run to help you achieve the desired visual result.
Due to the low surface energy and chemical inertness of Polypropylene, standard dyes cannot penetrate the material. This results in uneven surface coverage and poor adhesion. We recommend using SAF PP in its natural state (dark grey) for applications requiring maximum chemical resistance or liquid handling.
