Liquid Masterbatch
Liquid Masterbatch is the official Ginger Additive premium liquid color additive for PLA and PETG pellets. It comes in a syringe for clean, precise dosing and provides vivid, consistent color throughout the print.
What it does
Section titled “What it does”- Adds vivid, consistent color to PLA and PETG prints
- Excellent dispersion — no banding when mixed correctly
- Doesn’t compromise mechanical properties at recommended doses
- Multiple colors can be blended for custom tones
Compatible materials
Section titled “Compatible materials”- PLA (virgin and recycled)
- PETG (standard and reinforced grades)
Official dosage
Section titled “Official dosage”| Use case | Ratio | Practical example |
|---|---|---|
| Stability-first start | 0.05–0.08% by weight | 0.5–0.8 g per kg |
| Full color coverage | 0.1% by weight | 1 g per kg |
| Maximum | 0.2% | 2 g per kg |
Quick reference
Section titled “Quick reference”- 1 kg pellets, full color → 1 g masterbatch
- 2 kg pellets, full color → 2 g masterbatch
- 10 kg pellets, full color → 10 g masterbatch
Precise mixing — syringe weighing method
Section titled “Precise mixing — syringe weighing method”- Weigh the full syringe, write down the mass
- Tare the scale; dose the masterbatch into the pellets
- Weigh the syringe again to confirm exactly how much you delivered
- Place pellets in a sealed container for mixing
- Shake / mix thoroughly for uniform coating — uneven mixing causes banding or shade variation
- (Optional) blend with another color to make custom shades
Tools you need
Section titled “Tools you need”- Precision scale, 0.1 g resolution
- Sealed mixing container (large enough that pellets can tumble freely)
- Gloves (the liquid stains)
Safety
Section titled “Safety”- The liquid stains surfaces, clothing, and skin — wipe spills immediately, wear gloves
- Shake the syringe well before use; the content must be smooth (no clumps)
- Store in a cool, dry place
Common issues and fixes
Section titled “Common issues and fixes”Under-extrusion after coloring
Section titled “Under-extrusion after coloring”The masterbatch percentage is too high → screw can’t grip pellets.
- Reduce dose toward ≤ 0.08%
- Lower MVS (see Max Volumetric Speed) until grip returns
- Verify Feeding Zone temperature (see below)
Uneven color / banding
Section titled “Uneven color / banding”Mixing wasn’t uniform.
- Mix more thoroughly in a sealed container
- Make sure pellets tumble (don’t just stir on top)
Screw slippage
Section titled “Screw slippage”Too much liquid masterbatch lowers friction → screw spins without pushing material.
- Lower the masterbatch %
- Lower MVS
- Optionally raise Feeding Zone by 5–10°C to help compression
Interaction with Ginger Slicer settings
Section titled “Interaction with Ginger Slicer settings”Feeding Zone temperature
Section titled “Feeding Zone temperature”With masterbatch, you may need to raise the Feeding Zone by 5–10°C to restore compression. Higher temperature softens pellets earlier, helping the screw build pressure.
If instead you see melt creeping back up the throat (plug forming), lower Feeding Zone by 10°C — see Multi-Heating Zones.
At very high MVS, masterbatch reduces screw grip. Lower MVS to keep extrusion stable. Reference values are in Max Volumetric Speed.
Rotation Volume
Section titled “Rotation Volume”Adding masterbatch can shift the actual volume delivered per screw turn. After dialing in a new color, run a quick Rotation Volume calibration check.
Solid and alternative colorants
Section titled “Solid and alternative colorants”Solid masterbatch minimum concentration
Section titled “Solid masterbatch minimum concentration”Solid masterbatch: requires a starting minimum of 2% by weight for homogeneous color output. Depending on the masterbatch type and desired color intensity, some grades require 5% or more — always start from 2% and increase gradually until color is homogeneous throughout the extrusion. Solid masterbatch changes the viscosity of the base material; re-run Rotation Volume calibration when switching between colored and natural material.
Powder pigments — serious feeding risk
Section titled “Powder pigments — serious feeding risk”Shredded or ground PLA as a colorant — not recommended
Section titled “Shredded or ground PLA as a colorant — not recommended”Shredded or ground PLA as a colorant: using ground/shredded colored PLA as a colorant additive is not recommended. It alters the viscosity of the base material in an unpredictable way — the ratio of shredded PLA to base material varies in each mixing cycle, making consistent calibration impossible. Use Liquid Masterbatch or solid masterbatch pellets for reliable color.
Best practices
Section titled “Best practices”- Start low (0.05–0.08%); increase only if color intensity isn’t enough
- Keep a log: color, dose %, polymer, batch, MVS, Feeding Zone temp
- For repeat orders of the same shade, save the recipe
- For complex custom blends, dose each color separately and weigh-validate each
Coverage per bottle
Section titled “Coverage per bottle”Each 30 ml bottle of Ginger Liquid Masterbatch colors between 30 kg and 60 kg of pellets, depending on the dose:
- At 0.1% (full color): ~30 kg per bottle
- At 0.05% (light tint): ~60 kg per bottle
- Maximum dosage is 0.1% — do not exceed
This means a 30 ml bottle covers a very large batch. For small production runs, pre-mix a portion of the bottle with a smaller pellet batch and store the remainder sealed.
Where to get it
Section titled “Where to get it”Liquid Masterbatch is sold by Ginger Additive in syringe format. Multiple colors are available; check the shop for the current palette.
Related notes
Section titled “Related notes”- SmoothFlow
- Multi-Heating Zones
- Max Volumetric Speed
- Rotation Volume calibration
- PLA virgin
- PETG clear