Nike is expanding its commercial 3D-printed shoe line with a new manufacturing option: seamless printing of two colors in a single construction process. The feature is making its debut on the Air Max 1000, which was developed in collaboration with long-time partner Zellerfeld. This step is significant for the 3D printing community because, for the first time, color is being treated as an integral parameter of the printing process rather than a downstream step.
Previous versions of the Air Max 1000 were produced in a single color. In the new multicolor version, two color zones can be combined directly in the print. The color distribution follows the same precise specifications as the geometry, eliminating the need for painting, gluing, or assembly. Prototypes show a clear separation: a purple base extends from the sole to the upper, while black runs along the distinctive, wave-shaped profile line. The Air unit in the heel area also adds a black accent. The monolithic, grid-based structure of the model remains unchanged.
According to Nike, this is the first commercially available 3D-printed shoe with true dual-color printing in a single pass. The approach gives designers additional freedom without changing the basic construction or material continuity. Compared to previous solutions, where color was added through layers or post-processing, the new process reduces the complexity of manufacturing.
The move builds on a broader trend toward scalable production. With the Air Max 95000, Nike introduced Project Nectar in late 2025, a print-centric system of material formulations and toolpath control to improve durability, traction, and integrated details. While this model already featured multicolor effects, it used a different process than the single-pass dual-color printing now in use.
Both models are created on Zellerfeld’s Gen3 printers. The platform enables form-free, parameterized builds and aims for repeatable processes in retail. The Air Max 1000 “Multicolor” is scheduled to be released later this year. Additional color variations and future 3D-printed Air Max models are expected to adopt the technology.
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