Flashforge Launches the CJ270 Desktop Full-Color 3D Printer

Flashforge has launched the CJ270, a desktop-format 3D printer that produces full-color parts through material jetting and UV curing. The system combines CMYK, white and clear photopolymers with a water-soluble support material, depositing them through seven printheads in layers as thin as 7 microns.

The machine first appeared at Formnext 2024, where it was presented as a compact alternative to the considerably larger systems that dominate full-color material jetting. Flashforge has now opened direct pre-orders, turning that prototype into a commercial product with final specifications, material packs and a shipping schedule.

At 697 x 410 x 405 mm and 33.5 kg, the CJ270 is small enough for a sturdy desk or studio workbench. Its 180 x 120 x 100 mm build volume is intended for compact, detailed parts rather than large-format production. Flashforge highlights figurines, character models, architectural pieces, anatomical aids and visual prototypes among its target applications.

Full Color Through Material Jetting

Unlike multicolor filament systems, which switch or blend material through one or more extrusion nozzles, the CJ270 jets droplets of liquid photopolymer and cures them with UV light as each layer is formed. Xaar has confirmed that its Irix printhead platform provides the jetting technology, while Flashforge lists seven industrial-grade printheads across the machine.

Color comes from cyan, magenta, yellow and black materials, supplemented by white and clear photopolymers. Flashforge says the combination can reproduce more than 10 million colors. Because color is deposited as part of the build, gradients, textures and graphics can follow curved surfaces without a separate painting step or the purge cycles associated with filament changes.

White provides an opaque base beneath the color layers, while the clear material can produce translucent details and surface effects. The soluble support material forms the temporary structures needed for overhangs, internal features and fine geometry.

Flashforge specifies a 7-micron layer thickness. That figure describes the vertical height of each deposited layer, rather than the printer's XY resolution. It also helps explain the emphasis on smooth surfaces and small printed details: the current material system is intended for visual and display models, not load-bearing or functional parts.

Specification	Flashforge CJ270
Printing process	Material jetting with UV curing
Printheads	7 industrial-grade printheads
Materials	CMYK, white, clear and water-soluble support
Build volume	180 x 120 x 100 mm
Layer thickness	7 μm
Machine dimensions	697 x 410 x 405 mm
Weight	33.5 kg
Rated operating noise	55 dB or less
Job transfer	LAN, computer connection or USB

Specifications published by Flashforge for the September 2026 launch. Wi-Fi is not enabled at launch; the company says it is planned for a later software update.

Built for Smaller, Detailed Parts

The 180 x 120 mm build plate is smaller than those found on many current desktop FDM and vat-photopolymerization printers. The 100 mm Z limit also rules out tall presentation models unless they are divided into sections. In return, the CJ270 concentrates its hardware on the sort of compact pieces for which surface detail and applied color can eliminate substantial manual finishing.

The thin layers and multi-material process do not make for short jobs. Flashforge estimates that a model measuring less than 100 mm can take up to ten hours, while one around 100 mm can require 15 hours or more. Its largest example passes 25 hours. Exact print time will depend on the model's geometry, orientation and the number of layers required.

Automatic platform leveling handles the initial calibration, while an activated carbon filter is built into the enclosure. Flashforge rates operating noise at 55 dB or less. Those features suit a studio environment, although the liquid photopolymers and post-print wash still require appropriate handling, ventilation and waste procedures.

ColorPrint Handles the Model and Texture Workflow

Files are prepared in Flashforge ColorPrint, which is listed for Windows and macOS. The software accepts mesh and CAD formats including STL, OBJ, 3MF, STEP, STP, PLY, FBX, GLB, GLTF and WRL, along with Flashforge's CJP and CJM formats. Beyond slicing and arranging models, ColorPrint handles textures, color adjustments, support generation and layer-by-layer color mapping.

Flashforge also includes an image-to-3D feature intended to turn a reference picture into a printable color model. Completed jobs can be sent over LAN, a direct computer connection or USB. Wi-Fi is not active at launch, with support planned in a software update later in 2026.

After printing, the model goes into a water bath to dissolve its support. Flashforge recommends roughly ten hours in room-temperature tap water, or one to two hours in an ultrasonic cleaner. The standard part does not require a separate final UV cure, according to the material page. Sanding, polishing and an optional UV-cured gloss coating remain available when a more finished surface is required.

Proprietary Materials in a Fixed Pack

The CJ270 does not use standard bottled resin. Flashforge supplies a dedicated 1 kg set made up of ten 100 g pouches: one each of cyan, magenta, yellow and black, two white, one clear and three support. The pack is listed at $69.90 in the US, €69.90 in Europe and £59.90 in the UK.

At launch, Flashforge lists only the complete assortment, with no individual color or support refill on the store. Each set is activated by a material card that transfers its balance to the printer and is then invalidated. Third-party photopolymers are not supported, tying the CJ270 to Flashforge's supply system.

Flashforge gives the sealed material an 18-month shelf life and recommends using an opened pack within two months. Because a job does not consume every color and the support material at the same rate, the fixed assortment could leave some pouches depleted ahead of others. How Flashforge expands its refill options will therefore be relevant for studios running the machine regularly.

Pre-Orders and Shipping

Pre-orders run from September 9 through October 15. Flashforge lists the CJ270 at $3,999 in the US, €3,999 in Europe and £3,499 in the UK during that period. The corresponding regular prices are $4,499, €4,499 and £3,999.

US pre-orders include three 1 kg material packs. Flashforge also lists a $100 coupon for its C5 printer and four $50 coupons for later CJ270 material orders. The complimentary material ships separately after the buyer confirms receipt of the printer. The first 100 machines are scheduled to ship by air on October 15, with subsequent orders due to follow in purchase order.

Full-color desktop printing itself is not new. Earlier systems have laminated printed paper or applied ink to filament during a build, while current UV material-jetting alternatives are generally floor-standing professional machines. The CJ270's distinction is fitting that latter process, including soluble support and seven printheads, into a 33.5 kg desktop enclosure.

It also arrives as compact full-color printing begins to attract renewed attention. The HeyGears G1X, for example, approaches the category through a larger multifunction platform and a crowdfunding launch. Flashforge is taking a narrower route with a dedicated material-jetting machine sold directly through its regional stores.

The first shipments should reveal how the format performs outside demonstration prints. ColorPrint's texture handling, consistency across the printheads, support removal around delicate features and long-term head maintenance will all shape the CJ270's appeal. Even before those practical questions are settled, the machine is a significant attempt to bring professional full-color jetting into a genuinely desktop-scale package.

What printing process does the Flashforge CJ270 use?+

The CJ270 uses material jetting with UV curing. Seven printheads deposit CMYK, white, clear and water-soluble support materials in 7-micron layers.

What is the Flashforge CJ270 build volume?+

The build volume is 180 x 120 x 100 mm. Flashforge positions it for detailed figurines, visual prototypes, architectural models and other compact color parts.

How are supports removed from CJ270 prints?+

The support material dissolves in water. Flashforge recommends about ten hours in a room-temperature bath or one to two hours in an ultrasonic cleaner.

How much does the Flashforge CJ270 cost?+

The CJ270 is $3,999 during the September 9 to October 15 pre-order period, with a regular US price of $4,499. European pre-orders are €3,999 and UK pre-orders are £3,499.

Can the CJ270 use third-party resin?+

No. Flashforge lists only its dedicated 1 kg material pack, and each pack uses a single-activation material card. Third-party materials are not supported.

Sources

• Flashforge CJ270 launch page, specifications, workflow, pre-order terms and regional pricing
• Flashforge CJ270 product listing and software compatibility
• Flashforge CJ270 full-color material pack, contents, price and handling guidance