How to print text on a surface?
I'm using PLA and printing a flat surface with two extruders. #1 is loaded with grey, #2 is loaded with yellow.
I designed the model in Fusion 360, I created the text, then extruded it 0.4mm into the surface with cut operation. Then I did it again and extruded it 0.4mm into the surface using "New Body". This should give flush text. I'm able to assign different extruders to each body so that the text is yellow and the base is grey, and it does that when it prints. But it looks really bad. The text is distorted, the grey writes over the yellow, and it's only barely readable.
Is there a better strategy to doing this?
RE: How to print text on a surface?
Hi Zachary,
is your txt shape cut out of the main surface? If not you are probably printing overlapping layers of text colour and main surface colour.
when I do this sort of thing, I leave the main surface smooth, and overlay the Text STL, as a modifier rather than as a part. this causes the slicer to embed the modified mesh, into the main plate mesh, resulting in crisp and clean text.
You are also probably getting multiple perimeters on the text and the surrounding material, which can look rough.
using Prusa slicer in expert Mode, you can set single perimeters on the top layer and the bottom layer to tidy the perimeters up.
more often than not when I am doing inset text on a flat surface, I print the project upside down o a good build plate so that the surface finish is nic and even.
additionally, if you set the text filament in the first extruder and the main filament in the second or later extruder, when you print upside down, the text colour prints first, allowing it ti claim space hefore the main colour starts to print.
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility.Location Halifax UK
RE: How to print text on a surface?
You must merge the two bodies in the slicer together. You can still select each part and assign an extruder to it. Then you'll see in the slicer preview that the colors of the parts will not print with overlaps.
You can also export the two parts together from Fusion and then when you load the model into PrusaSlicer it will ask you if it should open it as one object with multiple parts. Answer "yes" to this. Then you can assign your extruders to each part and the colors will not overlap.
I have found that multicolor text prints better if I select the option to print one single perimeter on the first layer. This way the surfaces will be more evenly closed.