<p>I do not think there exists a printer that meets your requirements. "Cheap"/hobbyist printers roughly fall into two categories:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>FDM: does not meet your requirement for sufficient detail and smooth surfaces in the face (and can not print in color).</p></li>
<li><p>SLA: meets your requirement for detail in the face but can not print in color. If you are willing to drop the color requirement, this would be a good choice.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>There are some hobbyist projects to do full color printing, but they are in a rather early stage. One option is <a href="http://www.spitstec.nl/" rel="nofollow">colorpod</a> that can be used to convert an FDM printer (such as the Ultimaker, but the principle works with any printer) however it is in a rather early stage of development and not very reliable yet. Another option is <a href="http://ytec3d.com/plan-b/" rel="nofollow">Plan B</a> but that is a DIY project and not available for purchase (and is not very mature either).</p>

<p>That leaves you with the commercial color options. You've already ruled out the 3D systems/projet machines. Another (slightly cheaper) commercial option is <a href="http://mcortechnologies.com/3d-printers/iris/" rel="nofollow">MCOR IRIS</a> but it also runs in the tens of thousands. While researching this question I stumbled upon <a href="http://3dpandoras.com/" rel="nofollow">3D Pandoras</a> but it seems a relatively new company so it may turn out to be a literal Pandora's box (they mention "most affordable filaments" as one of the advantages of their printer even though it doesn't use filament at all) - and prices are not listed on their website.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-26T20:49:28.660Z
Good FDM gives better result than bad SLA and still costs 10 times less.
Barafu Albino
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-10T20:17:06.340Z
Anyone Knows -Mcor ARKe?. It uses paper ... but, is the quality really good for 'minimes'?
Kuroro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-10T21:39:45.537Z
@Kuroro You can see some sample pictures on the [product page](http://mcortechnologies.com/3d-printers/arke-3d-photorealistic-colour-printer/). They don't look bad, but the 3D systems/project/ZCorp machines do a better job.
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-09T03:35:20.697Z
Hi Tom van der Zanden.
Is MCOR really bad?, because you wrote: "runs in the tens of thousands". Could you explain me a little more?.
Kuroro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-17T09:08:27.717Z
2016-09-17T09:08:27.717Z
Tom van der Zanden
<p>I want to print people's bodies scanned (or get 'minimes', see the <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Figure 1</a>). And I watched that the printer 'project 660' is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MTOgCXJegw" rel="nofollow noreferrer">very good to do this</a> (<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Figure 1</a>). But, the price of that printer is really expensive, <a href="http://www.3dhubs.com/3d-printers/projet-660" rel="nofollow noreferrer">roughly $60'000</a>. And If you want to get a 'minime' printed by that printer, the cost is $230 for a model of 10cm. For me that price is expensive too. </p>

<p>Does anyone know what printer I could use in order to print 'minimes' with:</p>

<ul>
<li>Good resolution, or details of the person's face (for a model of 10cm) and a good smooth surface of the model printed (<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Figure 1</a>).</li>
<li>Ability to print complex models such as bodies (<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Figure 1</a>) without problem.</li>
<li>Inexpensive: less than $150 per 'minime'.</li>
<li>An option to print in color.</li>
</ul>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p><em>Figure 1: Models printed</em> </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg" alt="Mimes printed:"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-15T06:01:31.053Z
Hi! This question is very broad, as it has many possible answers. Almost any printer could be an answer, as you haven't included many criteria on what kind of printer you need. Questions that ask for "the best" X are not very suitable for stack exchange, because what is "the best" is very subjective. Could you maybe add some more information based on which the potential answers to this question could be narrowed down?
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-15T07:15:32.073Z
Hi, Francis. For the reasons pointed out by Tom, I have to put it *on hold* for now. You may vote for your question to be opened after eventual edits.
Tormod Haugene
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-15T17:15:30.457Z
I edited the post, please let me know any problem.
Kuroro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-15T17:26:07.003Z
What does "no expensive" mean? Under $100? Under $500? Under $1000?
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-15T17:45:27.903Z
Less than $150. I've just changed it
Kuroro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-16T18:25:39.103Z
What I need to do to skip from the hold?
Kuroro
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-17T07:32:52.560Z
Hi, Kuroro! While recommendation questions generally are discouraged here on 3D Printer SE, I am willing to open your question due to your particular requirement of *"a cheap printer that can print in full color"*. In my opinion, this requirement is specific enough to eliminate most common 3D printer alternatives. Good luck! :-)
Tormod Haugene
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-14T14:03:31.967Z
where did you get the idea that printing a 10cm "mini-me" costs 230$ ?
user1981924
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-13T08:48:16.583Z
In this video, I saw a copy of a hand if someone knew what it was https://youtu.be/cEJHXDsYeww
LCarvalho
<3d-models><print-quality>
Which is the best 3D printer to print bodies scanned?
Kuroro
# Which is the best 3D printer to print bodies scanned?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-09-14)

I want to print people's bodies scanned (or get 'minimes', see the [Figure 1](https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg)). And I watched that the printer 'project 660' is [very good to do this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MTOgCXJegw) ([Figure 1](https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg)). But, the price of that printer is really expensive, [roughly $60'000](http://www.3dhubs.com/3d-printers/projet-660). And If you want to get a 'minime' printed by that printer, the cost is $230 for a model of 10cm. For me that price is expensive too.

Does anyone know what printer I could use in order to print 'minimes' with:

* Good resolution, or details of the person's face (for a model of 10cm) and a good smooth surface of the model printed ([Figure 1](https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg)).
* Ability to print complex models such as bodies ([Figure 1](https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg)) without problem.
* Inexpensive: less than $150 per 'minime'.
* An option to print in color.

Thanks.

*Figure 1: Models printed*

[![Mimes printed:](https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/uTgbX.jpg)

**Tags:** 3d-models, print-quality
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Hi! This question is very broad, as it has many possible answers. Almost any printer could be an answer, as you haven't included many criteria on what kind of printer you need. Questions that ask for "the best" X are not very suitable for stack exchange, because what is "the best" is very subjective. Could you maybe add some more information based on which the potential answers to this question could be narrowed down?  
> **username_2**: Hi, Francis. For the reasons pointed out by Tom, I have to put it *on hold* for now. You may vote for your question to be opened after eventual edits.  
> **username_0**: I edited the post, please let me know any problem.  
> **username_1**: What does "no expensive" mean? Under $100? Under $500? Under $1000?  
> **username_0**: Less than $150. I've just changed it  
> **username_0**: What I need to do to skip from the hold?  
> **username_2**: Hi, Kuroro! While recommendation questions generally are discouraged here on 3D Printer SE, I am willing to open your question due to your particular requirement of *"a cheap printer that can print in full color"*. In my opinion, this requirement is specific enough to eliminate most common 3D printer alternatives. Good luck! :-)  
> **username_3**: where did you get the idea that printing a 10cm "mini-me" costs 230$ ?  
> **username_4**: In this video, I saw a copy of a hand if someone knew what it was https://youtu.be/cEJHXDsYeww  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-09-17. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

I do not think there exists a printer that meets your requirements. "Cheap"/hobbyist printers roughly fall into two categories:

* FDM: does not meet your requirement for sufficient detail and smooth surfaces in the face (and can not print in color).
* SLA: meets your requirement for detail in the face but can not print in color. If you are willing to drop the color requirement, this would be a good choice.

There are some hobbyist projects to do full color printing, but they are in a rather early stage. One option is [colorpod](http://www.spitstec.nl/) that can be used to convert an FDM printer (such as the Ultimaker, but the principle works with any printer) however it is in a rather early stage of development and not very reliable yet. Another option is [Plan B](http://ytec3d.com/plan-b/) but that is a DIY project and not available for purchase (and is not very mature either).

That leaves you with the commercial color options. You've already ruled out the 3D systems/projet machines. Another (slightly cheaper) commercial option is [MCOR IRIS](http://mcortechnologies.com/3d-printers/iris/) but it also runs in the tens of thousands. While researching this question I stumbled upon [3D Pandoras](http://3dpandoras.com/) but it seems a relatively new company so it may turn out to be a literal Pandora's box (they mention "most affordable filaments" as one of the advantages of their printer even though it doesn't use filament at all) - and prices are not listed on their website.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: Good FDM gives better result than bad SLA and still costs 10 times less.  
> **username_0**: Anyone Knows -Mcor ARKe?. It uses paper ... but, is the quality really good for 'minimes'?  
> **username_1**: @Kuroro You can see some sample pictures on the [product page](http://mcortechnologies.com/3d-printers/arke-3d-photorealistic-colour-printer/). They don't look bad, but the 3D systems/project/ZCorp machines do a better job.  
> **username_0**: Hi Tom van der Zanden. Is MCOR really bad?, because you wrote: "runs in the tens of thousands". Could you explain me a little more?.  

---

