How to Do Two-Color Prints on the Bambu Lab A1 Mini With a Filament Change

Why the A1 Mini Can Do Two-Color Prints

The Bambu Lab A1 Mini ships with a single extruder, but that does not mean you are stuck with one color. Chuck from CHEP (Filament Friday) put together a solid walkthrough showing how to use a manual filament change to get two-color results without buying a second toolhead or upgrading to the A1.

The trick relies on pausing the print at the right layer, swapping the filament, and resuming. It is not fully automated, but it works well for designs with large color blocks, text, or simple graphics.

Step-by-Step Process

First, slice your model in Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer. In the layer preview, find the exact layer where you want the color swap to happen. Most two-color designs on a single-extruder machine rely on a clean pause point, usually right after a solid infill section or before a new feature starts.

Next, export the G-code and start the print normally. When the printer reaches the pause layer, it will stop and beep. At that point, wait for the nozzle to cool slightly or use the pause menu to retract the current filament. Cut the old filament, load the new color, and purge until the new color flows cleanly.

Then resume the print. The machine will pick up exactly where it left off. If you lined up the layer change correctly, the seam between colors stays tight and the result looks intentional.

Tips for Clean Results

The biggest issue with manual filament changes is oozing. While the printer is paused, the hot nozzle can still drip. Keep the temperature low enough to limit stringing, but high enough to resume without a gap. A short purge after the swap helps clear any mixed colors before the next layer starts.

Design choice matters too. Avoid tiny details or sharp transitions at the swap layer. Large blocks of color are forgiving. Thin lines or small text will show a thicker seam and may look messy.

Who This Is For

This method is aimed at A1 Mini owners who want to experiment with two-color prints without spending more money. It is also a good intro to multi-material printing before upgrading to a multi-toolhead machine. If you already own the A1 Mini, you have nothing to lose by trying it on a low-stakes project.