With Bambu release so many new filament colours and types would it not be a good idea if they included a swatch sample with each filament supplied on a spool?
I have bought 2 sets of the swatch pack already this year and I’m out of date already. I know that tyou can print your own but they would not then contain all the details on the official swatches.
It would only cost pennies to do and would only need to be with filaments on spools and not refills only.
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I really love that idea nd it’s a great idea in theory, especially for users trying to keep up with the growing range of colors and types Bambu is releasing. Pre-made swatches are undeniably convenient, but implementing something like this might be more complicated than it seems.
For example, Prusa provides detailed quality metrics and production stats through QR codes on their spools, which works because the data is already part of the production-line process. Adding physical swatches, however, would require additional steps, like setting up dedicated machines to produce them, ensuring they match the spool they came from, and handling the logistics of pairing them correctly. This could increase production costs by more than just “pennies,” especially if manual labor is involved.
Could it be automated? Sure, but that’s another layer of complexity and expense. Manufacturers would need to weigh whether this added feature would translate into enough increased filament sales to justify the effort.
A compromise could be offering an optional swatch program, where users can request swatches for new colors or purchase an updated pack at a low cost. That way, customers who value the convenience of official swatches can still access them without driving up costs for all filament buyers.
That said, if we’re still struggling to get standardized spools across brands, this might be a tough ask for manufacturers right now. 