About this video
Why Print Sequence Matters for Multicolor Prints
When you slice a multicolor 3D print with separate colored objects sitting on the same build plate, your slicer decides the order in which layers are deposited. The default setting, by layer, prints one horizontal slice across every object on the plate before moving down a layer. For tall prints this is brutally inefficient: the toolhead constantly travels between parts, the hotend retracts, and the filament is purged for every color change on every single layer. That is how an 11-hour print job appears out of nowhere.
Switch from By Layer to By Object
The fix lives one menu deep in most slicers. Navigate to Settings → Others → Print Sequence and flip the option from by layer to by object. The printer now finishes one complete object — all of its layers, top to bottom — before starting the next one. The payoff is huge:
- Far fewer toolhead travels between parts
- One filament change per object instead of dozens
- Stable temperature and flow inside each color block
- Print time drops from roughly 11 hours down to about 1 hour
When This Trick Works and When It Does Not
The by-object sequence is not a universal speed boost. It works best when you are printing several multicolor parts on one plate with distinct heights or self-contained color zones. It should not be used on two tall models, because each tall object needs continuous layer adhesion and overhang support from neighboring layers. Forcing the printer to finish one tall object entirely before starting the other can introduce warping, weak z-bonds, and ugly seams.
Pro Tips for Faster Multicolor Prints
- Place taller prints closer to the origin to minimize travel
- Group parts of similar height when you can
- Use slicers that natively support by-object sequencing (PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, Bambu Studio, SuperSlicer)
- Tune retraction if you notice stringing between objects
- Consider an AMS or MMU for true seamless multicolor prints
FAQ
Does by-object printing hurt quality? A faint seam may appear where the printer restarts on top of an existing object, but for functional multicolor parts this trade-off is worth the massive time savings.
Which slicers have print sequence settings? PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, SuperSlicer, and Bambu Studio all expose this option in advanced print settings.
