How to Coat a 3D Print for a Professional Finish: A Complete Guide to Finishing and Protecting 3D Printed Parts

3D printed parts often come off the printer with visible layer lines, and sometimes they need additional protection to withstand wear, exposure to moisture, or UV light. Coating a 3D print not only improves its durability but can also enhance its appearance by giving it a smooth, polished look. Whether you’re creating prototypes, decorative items, or functional parts, learning how to apply the right coating can make a world of difference.

In this guide, we’ll explore various methods and materials for coating 3D prints to achieve different finishes and protection levels. From simple spray coatings to advanced resin applications, you’ll find tips and techniques to make your prints look professional and last longer.

Why Coat a 3D Print?

Benefits of Coating 3D Prints

Coating your 3D prints provides several advantages, including:

1. Improved Aesthetic Finish: A smooth, glossy, or matte

How to Print with LW-ASA Filament: A Complete Guide for Lightweight and Durable 3D Printing

ColorFabb LW-ASA (Lightweight Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) filament is a unique material designed to produce lightweight, durable, and weather-resistant 3D prints. It combines the strength and UV resistance of traditional ASA with foaming technology to reduce weight, making it perfect for outdoor applications and projects where lightweight properties are essential. The filament foams during printing, allowing you to adjust the density and achieve substantial weight savings without compromising durability.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about printing with LW-ASA filament—from printer setup and optimal settings to troubleshooting tips and best practices. Whether you’re making parts for drones, automotive components, or outdoor equipment, LW-ASA’s unique properties make it a versatile choice for robust, lightweight, and long-lasting 3D prints.

What is LW-ASA Filament?

How to Print with Corkfill Filament: The Complete Guide for Lightweight and Textured 3D Printing

ColorFabb corkFill is a unique 3D printing filament that combines PLA with natural cork fibers, producing lightweight prints with a distinctive, organic texture. This filament is perfect for applications that require a natural look, low weight, and even some flexibility, making it ideal for decorative items, architectural models, and functional parts that benefit from the warm, earthy appearance of cork. With the right settings and techniques, you can achieve stunning, natural-looking 3D prints that resemble real cork.

In this guide, we’ll go through everything you need to know about printing with corkFill filament—including recommended printer settings, best practices, and post-processing tips—to help you make the most of this versatile material. By the end, you’ll be ready to bring a unique, natural texture to your 3D printing projects with corkFill.

What is Corkfill Filament?

Key Properties

How to Print with woodFill Filament: A Complete Guide to Realistic Wood-Like 3D Prints

If you’re looking to add a unique, organic aesthetic to your 3D prints, ColorFabb’s woodFill filament is the perfect choice. This filament blends PLA with fine wood fibers, producing prints that not only look like real wood but also have a satisfying tactile quality. woodFill opens up a world of possibilities for artists, designers, and hobbyists who want to create realistic wooden objects, from decorative pieces to functional items. However, printing with woodFill requires a bit of finesse to achieve the best results.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of printing with woodFill filament—including recommended settings, printer setup, and post-processing techniques—to help you produce 3D prints with stunning wood-like textures and finishes.

What is woodFill Filament?

Key Properties of woodFill

woodFill is a composite filament that combines PLA (polylactic acid) with natural wood fibers.

How to Print with colorFabb nGen_FLEX: A Guide to Durable, High-Quality Flexible 3D Printing

ColorFabb nGen_FLEX is a unique flexible filament designed for 3D printing applications that require both durability and flexibility. Made from a high-quality co-polyester, nGen_FLEX combines elasticity with strength, making it suitable for parts that need to withstand bending, stretching, and mechanical stress. With a Shore hardness of 95A, it’s firm enough to hold its shape under load, yet flexible enough to bend, twist, and recover—making it ideal for functional parts, wearables, and complex components.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best practices for printing with colorFabb nGen_FLEX, covering optimal print settings, tips, and troubleshooting techniques to ensure that your prints come out perfectly. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced 3D printing enthusiast, these guidelines will help you make the most out of nGen_FLEX’s unique properties.

What is colorFabb nGen_FLEX Filament?

Key

How to Print with colorFabb_XT Filament: The Complete Guide to Durable, High-Quality 3D Printing

ColorFabb’s XT filament is a premium co-polyester filament designed for strong, functional 3D prints with minimal hassle. Manufactured using Eastman’s Amphora™ 3D polymer, XT filament offers a unique balance of strength, durability, and ease of use, making it ideal for both hobbyists and professionals who need reliable, high-performance prints. Whether you’re creating prototypes, functional parts, or intricate designs, colorFabb_XT provides the strength, heat resistance, and dimensional stability you need.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into how to print with colorFabb_XT filament and explore the recommended printer settings, best practices, and troubleshooting tips. With these insights, you’ll be able to optimize your 3D prints and get the most out of this robust material.

What is colorFabb_XT Filament?

Key Properties of colorFabb_XT

colorFabb_XT is a co-polyester filament that offers higher

How to Print with colorFabb_HT Filament: The Ultimate Guide for High-Temperature, Durable 3D Printing

ColorFabb HT filament is a specialized 3D printing material designed for high-strength, high-temperature applications. Developed using Eastman’s Amphora HT5300 co-polyester, colorFabb_HT provides exceptional durability, toughness, and heat resistance, making it ideal for creating functional parts, prototypes, and industrial components that need to withstand demanding conditions. This filament is specifically formulated to perform in environments where other common filaments, like PLA or ABS, would fail due to heat or mechanical stress.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about printing with colorFabb_HT filament, including optimal printer settings, key considerations, and troubleshooting tips. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to harness the full potential of colorFabb_HT and achieve reliable, professional-quality prints suitable for a range of industrial

How to Print with nGen Filament: A Complete Guide for High-Quality, Versatile 3D Printing

ColorFabb’s nGen filament has quickly become a favorite among 3D printing enthusiasts and professionals alike, thanks to its ease of use, durability, and excellent print quality. Based on Eastman Amphora AM3300, a high-performance co-polyester, nGen is designed to produce high-quality, functional prints with minimal hassle. Whether you're printing prototypes, decorative pieces, or functional components, nGen offers consistent results and a great balance between strength and flexibility.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about printing with nGen filament, including recommended print settings, best practices, and troubleshooting tips to ensure the best possible results. With this guide, you'll have the tools and knowledge to make the most of nGen's unique properties.

What is nGen Filament?

Key Properties of nGen

nGen is a co-polyester filament developed by ColorFabb that is known

How to Print with copperFill Filament: The Ultimate Guide for Metallic 3D Printing

3D printing with metal-infused filaments like copperFill by ColorFabb brings a new dimension to your projects. copperFill is a unique filament that blends PLA with real copper powder, giving your prints the look, feel, and weight of actual metal. With the right settings and techniques, you can create 3D printed objects that closely mimic solid copper, making copperFill ideal for artistic pieces, jewelry, decorative objects, and more.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about printing with copperFill filament. From setting up your printer to achieving a high-quality metallic finish, this article will help you unlock the full potential of copperFill and create realistic, beautiful prints.

What is copperFill Filament?

Key Characteristics of copperFill

copperFill is a PLA-based filament blended with fine copper powder, providing the appearance and heft of real copper in a material