Filament inker

thingiverse

Just a simple device designed to apply ink to filament as it prints, making it easier to achieve unique looks. A 2mm or 2.5mm drill bit is usually needed to ensure smooth filament flow, as my printer's holes can be a bit too small. I've also found that increasing the temperatures to 220/230 degrees Celsius for PLA results in better layer adhesion. This device has two compartments, perfect for soaking fabric or cotton in different colours of dye. This allows you to apply distinct colours to each side of the filament, creating a beautiful graduated effect on your prints. Some colours work better than others; reds and oranges tend to fade significantly, so I wouldn't recommend using them. On the other hand, black produces a lovely dark blue-purple hue, while blue prints very well. Green comes out a bit pale, but pink-purples can sometimes retain their colour or turn blue - it's worth experimenting to see what you get. Right now, I'm using Sharpie markers by cutting off a small piece of the ink cartridge and removing the fluff with pliers before inserting it into the holder. The best filament I've found so far is Sunlu White, which has a matte-pearlescent texture that absorbs more ink than regular PLA. This results in a beautiful sheen on your prints and makes layer lines almost invisible. You can also try running the holder up and down the filament before it reaches the hot end to soak up even more ink and achieve darker layers.