Review on processes and color quality evaluation of color 3D printing

Purpose The purpose of this paper is provide a broad view for the standardization efforts of color quality evaluation of color 3D printing techniques. Further, this review paper demonstrates the processes and color properties of most color 3D printing techniques with specific devices and applications to extend the range of possible memberships of standardization group. Design/methodology/approach Six color 3D printing techniques including plastic-based, paper-based, powder-based, organism-based, food-based and metal-based color 3D printing have been introduced and illustrated with colorization principles and forming features in detail. Moreover, for printed 3D color objects, literature about color measurement, color specification and color reproduction are described and analyzed, respectively. Findings Four color 3D printing techniques including plastic-based, paper-based, powder-based and food-based color 3D printing show great affinity toward standardization of color quality evaluation, while their colorization principles indicate that it is difficult with a single standard frame. It is possible to develop a completed color quality evaluation standard for color 3D printing based on approaches in color 2D printing when color measurement method and devices are standardized together. Originality/value The paper provides an important guide focusing on the efforts to standardize the colorization processes and color quality evaluation of the color 3D printing techniques.