Dyeing PLA

youmagine

Some things fail to color PLA effectively, but I've discovered that metal layout fluids such as "Dykem" brand can dye the material, and they don't add any noticeable size to the part, unlike paint which often does. These fluids come in several different colors. The most common one is blue, just like this example, although the resulting color appears dark purple to me. Unlike paint, which tends to conceal surface details, the dye seeps into cracks and grooves, highlighting texture (and any imperfections!) as a result. The smell of these fluids is moderately annoying, so good ventilation is recommended. Since layout fluids are intended for scraping off metal surfaces anyway, they probably won't withstand wear and tear. A clear top coat of varnish might make them more durable.