Selective Laser Sintering
Post-processing and Surface Technology
Additional Services
Dip Dyeing of SLS 3D-Printed Parts
In this post-processing method, the components to be dyed are placed in a heated water bath, which is mixed with special pigments. During the process, these pigments penetrate the uppermost layer of the component surface and dye it without changing the dimensional accuracy of the part. In this process, the pigments form a real chemical bond with the plastic. After the dyeing process, the dyed parts are rinsed with clear water so that they do not rub off later. We only use UV-stable pigments for dip dyeing.
Benefits of Dip Dyeing
Ideal for parts that…
- should be abrasion-resistant and reliably homogeneously colored
- should not be white
- should be UV-stable colored without material application
Possible colors
Our standard colors include black, gray, brown, purple, blue, dark blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Upon request, we can also easily implement your individual color requests. Dyeing similar to RAL colors is also possible with us.
Compatibility with other post-processing methods
Dip dyeing of laser-sintered parts can be easily combined with chemical smoothing, compression blasting or water- or gas-tight infiltration. Chemically smoothed or compression blasted SLS parts show a very homogeneous dyeing result and are therefore often used together with dip dyeing. Dyeing of vibratory ground SLS parts is only recommended in conjunction with compression blasting or chemical smoothing, as otherwise a homogeneous coloring is not achieved and grinding scratches can remain visible. The left component was compression blasted before dip dyeing to achieve a homogeneous dyeing result.
Compatible Materials
- PA2200 (PA12 white)
- PA2201 (PA12 translucent)
- PA3200GF (PA12 glass-filled white)
- Alumide (PA12 with Aluminum)
- PA2241FR (PA12 flame-retardant white)
- PA2210FR (PA12 flame-retardant white)
- PA1101 (PA11 white)
- TPU1301 (TPU white)
Frequently Asked Questions - Dip Dyeing
Dip dyeing involves immersing SLS components in a water bath with dissolved color pigments. The dyes bond with the surface of the plastic, creating a uniform and abrasion-resistant coloring – without applying additional material.
Dip dyeing enables homogeneous coloring of components without altering their dimensions or geometry. The color penetrates the material’s surface, ensuring a consistent appearance even with complex geometries.
For dip dyeing, prioadd offers various standard colors such as black, grey, blue, green, yellow, or red. Depending on the project, individual color requests can also be implemented, which are based on specific color shades such as RAL colors.
No. Dip dyeing does not apply any additional material. The color chemically bonds with the surface of the component, so its shape, dimensions, and fits are preserved.
Dip dyeing has the advantage that the color penetrates the outermost material layer instead of merely resting on the surface. This preserves the original structure of the SLS component and creates an abrasion-resistant, uniform coloring without building up additional layer thicknesses. Painting, on the other hand, applies a coating that can be more easily damaged under mechanical stress. Therefore, dip dyeing is particularly well-suited for functional components requiring uniform coloring.