2026.02.18

Ricoh Full-Color 3D Printer Complete Guide: Inkjet Technology, Figure Creation, Architectural Models, and Monetization (2026 Edition)

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“I want to turn my character designs into vibrant, full-color 3D figures.” “I want more realistic miniatures for my model railroad dioramas.” Have you ever felt frustrated that conventional 3D printers couldn’t deliver the color reproduction or strength you needed? Ricoh’s full-color 3D printer technology addresses exactly these creator pain points — and its proprietary inkjet method achieves quality that sets it apart from traditional 3D printed objects.

This article explains in detail how Ricoh’s full-color 3D printer technology works and what applications it’s best suited for. We’ll also cover how the latest AI technology is making 3D model creation more accessible than ever.

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Ricoh’s Full-Color 3D Printer Technology

Proprietary Inkjet Color Expression

The defining feature of Ricoh’s full-color 3D printer is the application of their cultivated inkjet technology to 3D fabrication. While most previous full-color 3D printers colored gypsum-based materials, Ricoh takes a different approach — applying inkjet coloring directly to the build material during layer-by-layer fabrication. This allows color to permeate not just the surface but throughout the interior, producing more natural and vivid colors.

Decades of color reproduction expertise from their printer and multifunction device business means even subtle gradients and fine color differences are faithfully reproduced.

High-Strength Material Technology

Beyond beautiful colors, the strength of printed objects matters too — figures and models are frequently handled and repositioned. Ricoh’s technology uses UV-curable resin as the build material. This material is firmly cured layer by layer, achieving dramatically higher strength than conventional gypsum-based materials. Even fine parts and protruding features resist breaking, producing objects with practical durability:

Inkjet technology for color that permeates throughout the interior
UV-curable resin for high build strength
Precise color reproduction leveraging printer expertise
High-resolution fabrication capable of expressing fine details

Practical Benefits for Creators

Original Figure Creation

For creators wanting to make figures of original characters, full-color 3D printing dramatically expands creative possibilities. Digitally drawn illustrations can be converted to 3D models and directly printed in full color. Traditional methods required hand-painting after 3D printing, but Ricoh’s full-color printer produces colored objects from the start — eliminating painting entirely and drastically shortening the design-to-finished-product timeline.

Model Railroad and Diorama Applications

Among model railroad enthusiasts, the “Geocore 3D Monogatari” initiative is gaining attention — enabling free creation of miniature people, buildings, and other diorama elements via 3D printing. With Ricoh’s full-color technology, you can create unique scenes unavailable in commercial products: period-specific clothing, region-specific architecture, and individually colored figures for more realistic, lively scenes:

Paint-free efficiency delivering finished products directly
Shortened design-to-completion timeline
Precision expression of subtle color differences
Freedom to create original scenes

Expanding Possibilities Through AI Integration

Evolution of 3D Model Generation AI

Recent AI advances have made 3D model creation more accessible than ever. AI tools that automatically generate 3D models from text or images have emerged, enabling people to materialize ideas without mastering specialized 3D modeling software. Combining AI-generated 3D models with full-color 3D printers lowers the creative barrier even further — describe the character you want, and the AI-generated 3D model can be printed directly in full color.

Product Design Applications

For product designers, full-color 3D printers are a powerful tool. Colored prototypes can be rapidly created, streamlining design validation and client presentations. Previously, creating prototypes required outsourcing to external vendors or hand-painting. With Ricoh’s technology, color prototypes can be produced in-house quickly, enabling faster design iterations and multi-concept comparisons:

Simplified 3D model creation through AI generation
Model creation without specialized knowledge
Shortened prototype production time
Streamlined design validation

Key Considerations for Implementation

Choosing the Right Model for Your Needs

Ricoh’s full-color 3D printer technology is deployed across various products and applications. Choosing a model that matches your production goals is essential. For small figure production, high-precision models are ideal; for larger diorama parts or architectural models, consider machines with larger build volumes. For individual hobby use, service bureaus (3D print output services) offer a practical alternative — letting you experience Ricoh’s high-quality full-color output without the initial equipment investment.

Data Preparation and Output Settings

Creating beautiful prints requires proper data preparation. Specifically, color information (textures) must be correctly applied to 3D models. Most 3D modeling software can export files with color data in formats like OBJ or VRML. Output settings also affect the final result — finer layer pitch produces smoother surfaces but increases build time. Balancing quality and time in your settings is key:

Select the right model for your production goals
Consider service bureaus as an alternative
Use appropriate file formats that include color information
Adjust settings to balance quality and time

Monetizing Full-Color 3D Printing

1. Custom Figure Production

The greatest strength of full-color 3D printing is eliminating the painting step. Produce full-color figures directly from illustrations or 3D models, selling at ¥5,000–¥30,000 per piece. Primary sales channels include doujin events and BOOTH marketplace.

2. Architectural Models and Presentation Models

Offer full-color architectural models and product mockups to architecture firms and design companies. Colored finished models significantly reduce delivery times compared to traditional white models plus painting, with projects ranging from ¥30,000–¥200,000 per engagement.

3. Educational and Museum Replica Production

Demand for colored 3D models is rapidly growing in education — museum exhibit replicas, anatomical models for education, and touchable display pieces. Full-color 3D printing’s ability to reproduce lifelike colors makes it ideal for creating interactive exhibits. Projects of ¥100,000–¥500,000 are not uncommon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. How much does full-color 3D printing cost?

With Ricoh’s inkjet method, material costs vary by model size and color usage, but palm-sized figures typically cost ¥500–¥3,000 per piece. Binder jetting methods use relatively inexpensive gypsum-based materials, but post-processing costs for strength should also be factored in.

Q2. Are there consumer-grade full-color 3D printers?

As of 2026, fully consumer-grade full-color 3D printers haven’t been commercialized. Ricoh’s industrial equipment is targeted at businesses, so the most realistic option for individuals is using output services like DMM.make. Bambu Lab’s AMS-compatible printers can do multi-color printing, but cannot reproduce continuous gradients.

Q3. What software is needed for data creation?

Full-color 3D printing requires 3D data with color information in VRML or 3MF format. Create textured models in Blender, ZBrush, or Substance Painter, then export in a compatible format.

Q4. What resolution does full-color 3D printing achieve?

Ricoh’s inkjet method achieves layer pitches of approximately 20–50 microns with XY resolution of 600dpi or higher. This enables photographic-quality color gradients and fine detail reproduction. However, costs and time increase with larger output sizes, so sizing designs appropriately for the intended use is important.

Conclusion

Ricoh’s full-color 3D printer technology is an industrial solution that achieves both high-resolution color expression through inkjet technology and structural strength. The ability to skip painting steps offers significant advantages for figure creation, architectural models, and product design — potentially transforming creator workflows at their core.

For personal use, start by experiencing full-color output through services like DMM.make, validate demand, and then consider commercialization. Full-color 3D printing technology continues to evolve daily, with new application fields expected to expand.

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