More than a year after launching the original Centauri Carbon, Elegoo is finally bringing multicolor printing to the first-generation Core XY machine. The company has opened pre-orders for a standalone Canvas multicolor printing solution designed specifically for the original Centauri Carbon 3D printer, giving current owners an upgrade path instead of requiring a whole new printer.
Canvas was first introduced alongside the Centauri Carbon 2, but this new add-on makes the feature set available to people still running the original model. Once installed, the Canvas accessory expands the Centauri Carbon’s capabilities beyond single-filament prints by enabling up to four-color printing. It also adds practical quality-of-life upgrades, including RFID filament detection, tangle prevention, and an auto-refill function aimed at reducing failed prints and mid-job interruptions.
Elegoo’s Centauri Carbon line is known for offering a budget-friendly Core XY 3D printer experience, and the Canvas pricing follows the same value-focused approach. The Canvas system is sold as a kit that mounts on top of the Centauri Carbon. Installation includes fitting four spool holders that attach to the side of the printer, and swapping in a new hotend that replaces the stock one—an important detail for buyers to consider if they prefer plug-and-play upgrades.
There is one trade-off worth noting for anyone who prints with materials that benefit from a fully enclosed build area. On the Centauri Carbon 2, Elegoo uses a clear “top hat” style cover that helps enclose the printer. With the Canvas system attached to the original Centauri Carbon, the top glass panel will no longer sit in place, meaning the printer won’t be fully enclosed in the same way. How much that impacts performance with more demanding filaments will likely depend on the material and the printing environment.
Price is where the upgrade becomes especially compelling. The Canvas system for the Centauri Carbon is listed at $55 and is currently available for pre-order, with shipping expected to begin June 30. Since the Centauri Carbon printer itself costs $319, adding Canvas brings the total to $374. That undercuts the Centauri Carbon 2 Combo price of $449, making the original Centauri Carbon plus Canvas a potentially attractive route for makers who want multicolor 3D printing without paying a higher all-in-one bundle price.
For anyone shopping for an affordable Core XY 3D printer setup with multicolor printing, the Centauri Carbon paired with the new Canvas kit could hit a sweet spot—especially for existing owners who want more features without replacing their machine.
