Custom Tools. Custom Wearables. Custom Colors?
For over two decades, designers and engineers have primarily 3D printed parts in black, grey, and basic monochromatic colors. Several 3D printing technologies have been capable of some color, but they come with a serious price tag. Since color is typically an afterthought, it’s challenging to commit that type of money. Additionally, there are post-processing systems available, but options can be limited and not as custom.
3D printing is a unique tool that enables design freedom, creativity, and mass customization. By making simple adjustments in CAD and other workflow tools, designers can produce limitless custom parts that would have otherwise taken countless manual labor hours and resources (see dental 3D printing). What if we can take it one step further and bring custom colors into the mix (pun intended)?
In the following article, we will explore the value of 3D printing parts with custom colors and why we think it’s a game changer.
Understanding the Challenge
The first challenge with color 3D printing or dyeing is direct color matching. It requires patience and commitment, so most providers simply roll out standard solutions. The next issue is repeatability. Whether direct printing or dyeing, print heads and processes can wear over time resulting in a lack of uniformity. Finally, fading is a common problem due to dye penetration which ranges between 0.08mm – 0.14mm (80-140 microns). The combination of these challenges makes it difficult to achieve good, consistent colors and color matching.
Understanding the Opportunity
Before founding Endeavor 3D, CEO Phil Arnold successfully owned and managed a major international construction products company that held several valuable patents for decorative concrete. Arnold understood the meaning and value of custom colors for designers and architects. “Functionality will always be the priority, but color matters because it gives a vocabulary to the designer that enables them to visually communicate, customize and in many cases, strengthen brand storytelling.” Arnold’s experience combined with a gap in the additive manufacturing industry opens the door for new opportunities.
Let’s dive deeper into color theory and assess how it impacts product development, provides context, adds awareness, and illicit emotions.
- Operational Communications: In any major industry, visual communication tools increase productivity and enhance safety protocols. For example, 5S, a Japanese-designed workplace organizational system, uses a five-phase system with color coding to increase productivity (sort, set-in-order, systematic cleaning (shine), standardize, and sustain). This visual system is used to improve operational efficiency and workflow. Finally, it communicates safety rules without verbal or written communication – which is highly effective for multinational assembly or production facilities.
- Branding: Research has shown that a signature brand color can increase brand recognition by 80%. So, it’s no surprise that companies spend a fortune to protect their brand identity, logo, and color scheme. Mainly used to improve product appearance or aesthetic appeal, color becomes a valuable tool for designers and engineers to build products and displays that immediately catch the consumer’s eye. Remember this on your next visit to the local hardware store.
- Making a Connection: Emotions are not black and white, and neither are your products. Most product designers focus on building ergonomic, easy-to-use devices (functionality) and less time on color matching, blends, or mixtures (aesthetics). We are here to say that you can have both and can make a stronger connection with your audience. For example, many medical device products use a mixture of blue (trust), purple (ambition), and green (health) to make emotional connections with consumers. Finding the right blend could be the difference maker for your next commercial project.
Understanding the Solution
As discussed above, the current problems for 3D printing custom color remain repeatability, fading, and color matching. It requires experience, patience, and a handful of technical tools that make it much more cost-effective. Specifically, Endeavor 3D is one of the few MJF PA 12 white part providers in North America and boasts an impressive quality control lab that is unmatched within the industry. Combine that with their color-matching experience and commitment to quality, you get yourself a partner willing to go above and beyond.
Check us out at endeavor3d.com or email us directly to start your next project – getparts@endeavor3d.com
