What is WJP (White Jet Process) 3D Printing?

WJP (White Jet Process) , a popular full-color 3d printing technology, uses inkjet printheads to jet photopolymer resin layer by layer with simultaneous UV curing. It delivers high forming precision and fine layer lines, and can jet multiple materials simultaneously to achieve full-color effects. Commonly used for producing high-precision aesthetic parts, character models, collectible figures, and craft pieces.

How Does WJP 3D Printing Work?

1. Resin Jetting Forming: The inkjet print head deposits photopolymer resin layer by layer according to the sliced data. UV light immediately irradiates the build area at a specific wavelength, causing the resin to rapidly undergo polymerization and cure into shape, similar to the photopolymer curing process used in SLA 3D printing.
2. Layer-by-Layer Build: After each layer is cured, the build tray precisely lowers by one layer thickness. The print head continues to repeat the jetting and curing cycle, stacking layer upon layer until the complete part is printed.
3. Post-Processing: After printing is complete, the 3D printed parts will be removed from the build platform. Surface supports are removed with specialized tools, and support residues are cleaned with solvent.

What Are the Advantages of WJP 3D Printing?

1. Integrated Full-Color Forming with Strong Color Expression: Leveraging the white ink underlayer process, WJP supports high-definition texture mapping, natural color gradients, and multi-zone color partitioning — eliminating the need for post-print manual hand-painting or spray painting and reducing human-induced color variation.
2. Exceptional Forming Accuracy: Minimum layer thickness can reach 0.021 mm. Each layer is instantly UV-cured after jetting, delivering strong fidelity of fine details, textures, and micro-characters, with a smooth and delicate as-printed surface.
3. Room-Temperature Jetting Forming, No High-Temperature Thermal Stress: The forming process involves no high-temperature melting, so parts are less prone to warping and deformation — making it ideal for high-precision appearance display parts.
4. High Batch Production Consistency: Stable jetting from the print head ensures uniform color and dimensions across parts in the same batch, suitable for simultaneous production of small-batch prototypes in multiple designs.
5. No Machining Required for Basic Forming: After printing, only support removal, cleaning, sanding, and spray coating are needed to directly meet appearance display requirements.

What Are the Key Considerations for WJP 3D Printing?

1. Support Structures Are Mandatory: Overhanging features require designed enveloping supports. Support removal can leave surface marks, and post-processing of fine hollow or thin-walled structures is challenging.
2. Photopolymer Resin Material with Limited Mechanical Properties: Cannot withstand heavy-load conditions; high-temperature resistance and aging resistance are limited. Only suitable for appearance prototypes and display models; not for long-term use as load-bearing structural components.
3. Color Difference: Mainstream sRGB displays can reproduce approximately 16 million colors, whereas WJP printers are capable of producing roughly 10 million colors — a certain degree of color difference may exist for some colors.
4. Insufficient Outdoor Weather Resistance: Conventional colored resins will discolor under prolonged strong light exposure, making them more suitable for indoor display. Long-term outdoor use requires extra special protective coatings (Not Recommended).
5. Lower Cost-Effectiveness for Large-Size Parts: Positioned for high-precision color detail forming with higher consumables and labor costs; for purely large-size monochrome parts, other photopolymerization processes are more economical.

Conclusion

Overall, WJP (White Jet Process) 3D printing is a premium color 3D printing process targeting appearance display, simulation prototypes, and artistic and cultural creative applications. Its core advantages lie in high-definition integrated full-color forming, multi-material compositing, and fine surface texture.