Marking, decoration & colour · finish comparison
Nylon Part Dyeing vs Tinted Clear Coating
Nylon Part Dyeing and Tinted Clear Coating are both colouring & dyeing finishes; nylon dyeing is the lower-cost option ($).
Nylon Part Dyeing
Colouring & dyeing · $ · instant quote
Nylon part dyeing colors porous SLS and MJF polyamide by immersing finished parts in a heated dye bath.
Tinted Clear Coating
Colouring & dyeing · $$ · instant quote
Tinted clear coating is a transparent or translucent colored topcoat that modifies hue while preserving some view of the substrate.
When to choose which
Choose Nylon dyeing
Choose Nylon dyeing when porous nylon should be colored through absorption rather than a surface film.
- Adds color with essentially no separate film buildup
- Preserves molded-like texture and fine geometry
- Black hides handling soil and print-to-print color variation
Choose Tinted coat
Choose Tinted coat when transparent surface color rather than absorbed nylon dye is needed.
- Adds transparent color without fully hiding the substrate
- Supports candy-color and depth effects
- Can combine color with a protective clear binder
What the numbers say
- Nylon dyeing is the lower-cost option ($).
- Nylon dyeing is unchanged; Tinted coat is insulating.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Nylon dyeing | Tinted coat |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | — — | 15 Low |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 75 Very good | 92 Excellent |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 20 Low |
| Cost | 15 $ | 35 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Nylon dyeing | Tinted coat |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | — | 15–50 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Insulating |
| Colours | black, blue, red, green, custom dark color | transparent red, transparent blue, transparent amber, smoke, custom transparent color |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 2–5 working days | 4–8 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Nylon dyeing | Tinted coat |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | No | Yes |
| MJF | Yes | With care |
| PolyJet | — | Yes |
| Polymer | With care | Yes |
| SLA | No | Yes |
| SLS | Yes | With care |
| Steel | No | Yes |
| Brass | No | With care |
| Composite | With care | With care |
| Copper Alloy | No | With care |
| FDM | Limited | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | No | With care |
| Stainless Steel | No | With care |
| Titanium | No | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | No | With care |
| DMLS / SLM | No | Limited |
Nylon dyeing vs Tinted coat — frequently asked
What is the difference between Nylon dyeing and Tinted coat?
Nylon Part Dyeing and Tinted Clear Coating are both colouring & dyeing finishes; nylon dyeing is the lower-cost option ($). Nylon dyeing is unchanged; Tinted coat is insulating.
When should I use Nylon dyeing instead of Tinted coat?
Choose Nylon dyeing when porous nylon should be colored through absorption rather than a surface film. Conversely: choose Tinted coat when transparent surface color rather than absorbed nylon dye is needed.
Is Nylon dyeing or Tinted coat cheaper?
Nylon dyeing is the lower-cost finish ($ against $$ for Tinted coat) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.