AtomForm Palette 300 vs Bambu X1C: Which Multi-Material 3D Printer Fits Your Workflow?
When it comes to multi-material 3D printing, choosing the right machine can make all the difference in your creative workflow. In this article, we compare two leading contenders—the AtomForm Palette 300 and the Bambu X1C with AMS—to help you decide which is best suited to your needs. Whether you prioritize speed, color fidelity, or ease of use, this comparison will guide you toward the right choice for your 3D printing projects.
Why Compare These Two?
Multi-material 3D printing is evolving fast, giving makers, engineers, and designers more tools to bring multi-color and multi-property prints to life. Two standout contenders in this space are the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon (X1C) with AMS and the AtomForm Palette 300. While the X1C has built a reputation for speed and polish, the Palette 300 introduces a new approach with 12 auto-swapping nozzles designed for smoother, smarter material transitions. If you’re evaluating which of these machines best suits your creative or professional workflow, this comparison breaks down the most important factors.
Quick Specs Comparison Table
| Feature | Atomform Palette 300 | Bambu X1C with AMS |
|---|---|---|
| Material Capacity | 12 nozzles / up to 36 colors | 4 filaments per AMS unit |
| Color Switching | Auto-swapping nozzles | Filament rerouting via AMS |
| Print Speed | Up to 800mm/s | Up to 500mm/s |
| Noise Level | ~45dB (quiet mode) | ~50–60dB |
| Calibration | Smart auto calibration, closed-loop | AI-assisted lidar + flow sensor |
| Software | AtomForm Studio, open slicer support | Bambu Studio, Bambu Handy App |
| Price Positioning | TBD (pre-launch phase) | ~$1,369 (with AMS) |
Print Quality & Color Switching
Palette 300 uses dedicated nozzles to handle each material or color. This reduces filament contamination, eliminates rerouting delays, and minimizes transition waste. Each nozzle is physically separated, enabling sharper color boundaries and less purging.
X1C’s AMS reroutes filaments into a single hotend. While it works well, it often requires purge towers and transition lines to clear color remnants. The result is slightly slower transitions and more filament usage in multicolor prints.
In short: for high-fidelity multi-color printing, Palette 300 offers cleaner transitions and lower waste.
Speed & Performance
Both machines are fast by industry standards, but Palette 300 boasts up to 800mm/s printing speeds while maintaining precision through its closed-loop motion control.
X1C typically prints at 300–500mm/s, with excellent results thanks to its lidar system and advanced motion planning. However, material switching does introduce brief delays and purge overhead.
If raw speed with clean transitions is a priority, the Palette 300 holds the edge.
Ease of Use & Workflow
Palette 300 is designed for creators who want precision without manual hassle. Its touchscreen wizard walks users through nozzle alignment, Z-offset calibration, and print tests—all without slicer-side coding.
X1C has a mature ecosystem and helpful automation via lidar scanning and AMS integration. However, multi-material setup still requires purge tuning and some slicer configuration.
For beginners or those who prefer onboard simplicity, the Palette 300’s setup flow is more intuitive.
Material Flexibility & Compatibility
Both printers support a wide range of materials such as PLA, PETG, ABS, and TPU. However, the Palette 300 takes material versatility to the next level on two fronts:
- High-Temperature Support: With a max nozzle temperature of 350°C and a chamber temperature of 65°C, Palette 300 can print nearly all mainstream and engineering-grade filaments. This means you no longer need to switch machines for different materials—one printer handles it all.
- 12 Nozzles, 12 Materials: Palette 300 supports up to 12 different materials in a single print job, thanks to its independent multi-nozzle system. This makes it possible to combine rigid, flexible, conductive, or support materials in one pass—enabling truly functional, multi-property prints with minimal workflow complexity.
In contrast, the X1C manages multiple materials through AMS, but all filaments share the same hotend. This limits the ability to fine-tune settings for each material and typically requires compromise configurations.
If your projects demand both material contrast and color control, the Palette 300 is the more flexible and production-ready solution.
Software Ecosystem
Palette 300 works with AtomForm Studio—a tailored slicer for multi-nozzle workflows—and supports open-source slicers like OrcaSlicer and PrusaSlicer. It allows users to preview purge lines, transition paths, and apply individual settings for each nozzle with ease.
X1C runs on Bambu Studio, which is polished and user-friendly, especially for newcomers. However, it leans toward Bambu’s ecosystem, limiting customization in some areas.
Advanced users seeking slicer flexibility may prefer Palette 300’s open approach.
Who Should Choose Which?
| User Type | Recommended Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Designers with rich color needs | Palette 300 | Better for full-color prints with lower purge waste |
| Speed-focused prototypers | Palette 300 | Up to 800mm/s with smarter transitions |
| Beginners | Palette 300 | Easier setup and UI calibration wizard |
| Print farms / production teams | Depends on workflow needs | Focus on stability and integrated workflow management |
| Single-material hobbyists | Depends on workflow needs | Ideal for straightforward, single-material printing tasks |
Final Verdict
Both the Atomform Palette 300 and the Bambu X1C are impressive machines, each with a unique approach to multi-material printing.
If you value speed, seamless multi-color transitions, and nozzle-level precision, the Palette 300 offers a forward-thinking solution. On the other hand, if you prefer a tightly integrated platform with reliable automation and ease of use, the X1C remains a mature and proven choice.
Ultimately, the best printer for you depends on your workflow needs—and the kind of creative possibilities you want to unlock.