Markforged Onyx GF: Functional Color for Industrial 3D Printing

Blog Article | November 6, 2026

Summary

Markforged Onyx GF is a chopped glass-fiber-filled nylon material designed for industrial 3D printing. Available in six colors, it combines functional color identification with material properties suited to manufacturing tooling, fixtures, and production-floor components. Its non-conductive properties support applications where electrical isolation is a consideration, while optional Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CFR) allows additional strength and stiffness when needed. Compatible with the Markforged FX10 and FX20, Onyx GF gives manufacturers another option for color-coded tooling, visual management, and functional industrial parts.

Key Topics Covered

Onyx GF is a glass-fiber-filled nylon thermoplastic
Available in red, yellow, blue, green, gray, and white
Built-in color supports factory-floor visual management
Helps identify tooling, jigs, fixtures, and production components
Supports color-coded workflows and workplace organization
High-visibility tooling can complement FOD prevention practices
Non-conductive properties support electrical isolation applications
Optional CFR adds strength and stiffness when required
Compatible with Markforged FX10 and FX20 printers
Material selection should account for application-specific performance requirements

Markforged Onyx GF Combines Industrial Performance with Built-In Color

Manufacturers rely on more than strength and durability when selecting materials for production tooling and factory-floor components. Quick identification, consistent workflows, and workplace organization also play an important role in efficient manufacturing operations.

Markforged Onyx GF brings functional color to industrial 3D printing, combining chopped glass-fiber-filled nylon with six high-visibility color options. Designed for production-floor applications, Onyx GF helps manufacturers use color as part of their visual management strategies while producing functional tooling, fixtures, and other industrial components. Unlike conventional color filaments intended primarily for appearance, Onyx GF is designed to support practical manufacturing requirements, including non-conductive performance and optional continuous fiber reinforcement.

What Is Markforged Onyx GF?

Onyx GF is a glass-fiber-filled nylon thermoplastic developed by Markforged for industrial 3D printing. It expands the company's Onyx material family by introducing functional color options for manufacturing environments.

The material is available in six colors:

Red
Yellow
Blue
Green
Gray
White

These colors give manufacturers another way to organize and identify tools, fixtures, and production components. Rather than relying entirely on paint, labels, or other secondary identification methods, teams can incorporate color directly into the printed part.

Onyx GF is intended for functional applications where material performance and easy visual identification are both important.

How Onyx GF Builds on the Onyx Material Family

Onyx GF builds on the established Onyx material platform while introducing a different reinforcement material and additional functionality.

Conventional Markforged Onyx is a nylon-based thermoplastic filled with chopped carbon fiber. Onyx GF uses chopped glass fiber instead, providing a non-conductive material with functional color options. Both materials are designed for industrial applications where strength, stiffness, surface quality, and dimensional performance matter. However, their material formulations and individual properties differ, so they should not be treated as interchangeable.

The introduction of Onyx GF gives manufacturers another option when selecting materials for production tooling and functional components, particularly when color identification or non-conductive properties are important to the application.

Why Functional Color Matters on the Factory Floor

In busy manufacturing environments, operators need to identify the correct tools, fixtures, and components quickly. Color coding provides a straightforward visual signal that can support organization, consistency, and process control. With Onyx GF, manufacturers can incorporate color into their 3D-printed parts to support several factory-floor practices:

5S & Visual Management

Assign colors to tools and fixtures to support workplace organization and make misplaced equipment easier to recognize.

Production-Line Identification

Use different colors to distinguish tooling assigned to specific production lines, workstations, or departments.

Revision Identification

Differentiate tooling versions or updated components through a defined color-coding system.

Process Identification

Use color to distinguish fixtures or components associated with specific manufacturing operations.

Because color is part of the printed material, manufacturers can also reduce their reliance on painting or applying separate identification labels to certain components. The result is another practical way to make manufacturing workflows easier to recognize and manage.

Industrial Applications for Markforged Onyx GF

Onyx GF is particularly relevant when manufacturers need functional parts that combine industrial material characteristics with visual identification. Its applications extend beyond general-purpose 3D printing to specific production-floor challenges.

Color-Coded Tooling, Jigs, & Fixtures

Manufacturing teams frequently use custom tooling, jigs, and fixtures to position parts, support assembly operations, and maintain repeatable processes. As the number of tools and production stations increases, identifying the correct fixture becomes increasingly important. With Onyx GF, manufacturers can assign colors to tooling based on production line, assembly process, revision, or function. This approach can help operators recognize the correct equipment, improve visual organization, and reduce the potential for tooling mix-ups.

Zone Segregation & Workplace Safety

Manufacturing facilities often use designated production areas with different equipment, processes, and operating requirements. Color-coded tools and fixtures can help distinguish items assigned to specific zones. This can be useful in environments such as food and beverage or pharmaceutical manufacturing, where facilities may use color-coding systems to help separate equipment and work areas. High-visibility components can also provide an additional visual cue around production equipment, guards, and designated work areas. These applications should complement, rather than replace, established safety standards and procedures.

FOD Prevention in Aerospace & Automotive Manufacturing

Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention is an important consideration in aerospace and other manufacturing environments where misplaced objects can create quality, safety, or equipment risks. High-visibility tooling and fixtures can make it easier to recognize equipment left behind in work areas or distinguish tools from surrounding components. Onyx GF's color options can support existing FOD prevention practices by making selected tools and fixtures more visually identifiable. Color coding is a supporting measure, however, and does not replace established inspection, tool-control, or FOD prevention procedures.

Electrical Isolation & RF-Transparent Applications

Beyond its color options, Onyx GF offers non-conductive material properties that make it relevant for applications where electrical conductivity is a consideration. Potential applications include electrical housings, antenna enclosures, and sensor housings where a non-conductive material or RF transparency is desirable. Material selection should still account for the electrical, thermal, mechanical, and environmental requirements of the specific application. Onyx GF's non-conductive properties should not be interpreted as a substitute for application-specific electrical insulation ratings or testing.

Onyx GF Performance & Continuous Carbon Fiber Reinforcement

Functional color is only part of the Onyx GF material offering. Its glass-fiber-filled nylon construction is designed for industrial parts that require useful mechanical performance, stiffness, and dimensional consistency. These characteristics make it a candidate for tooling, fixtures, assembly aids, and other functional components that must withstand repeated use in manufacturing environments.

For applications requiring additional structural performance, Onyx GF can also be reinforced using Markforged Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CFR) technology. With CFR, continuous carbon fiber can be incorporated into selected regions of a part to increase strength and stiffness. This provides manufacturers with another option when designing components that experience higher mechanical loads. Continuous fiber reinforcement is an additional capability, not a requirement for every Onyx GF application. The appropriate material and reinforcement strategy depend on part geometry, loading conditions, and intended use.

Which Markforged 3D Printers Support Onyx GF?

Onyx GF is designed for Markforged's industrial FX platform and is compatible with the Markforged FX10 and FX20. Explore Saratech's Markforged 3D printing solutions to learn more about industrial additive manufacturing options.

Markforged FX10

Markforged FX20

Both systems support industrial composite printing, giving manufacturers access to Onyx GF for applications ranging from production tooling to functional manufacturing components. One important consideration is printer configuration: Markforged's current material compatibility information specifies that Onyx GF requires a hardened plastic nozzle on the FX10 and FX20. Manufacturers should verify the latest material compatibility requirements and printer configurations before selecting a system.

Is Onyx GF Right for Your Manufacturing Application?

Markforged Onyx GF gives manufacturers another material option for producing functional industrial parts with built-in color identification. It may be worth evaluating when your operation needs:

Color-coded tooling, jigs, and fixtures for improved visual management.
High-visibility components that support existing FOD prevention practices.
Color-coded equipment for production-zone identification.
Non-conductive materials for electrical or RF-related applications.
Additional structural performance through optional continuous carbon fiber reinforcement.

The right material depends on the demands of the application, including mechanical loads, operating conditions, and required material properties.

Find the Right Markforged Material for Your Manufacturing Application

Saratech helps manufacturers evaluate Markforged additive manufacturing technologies, materials, and applications. As a Markforged technology partner, our team can help you determine whether Onyx GF and a compatible FX-series printer are a good fit for your production requirements.

Talk to a Markforged Expert

Conclusion

Markforged Onyx GF gives manufacturers another option for producing functional 3D-printed parts that combine industrial material performance with built-in color identification. Its chopped glass-fiber-filled nylon construction and six color options make it particularly relevant for applications where tooling identification, visual management, and non-conductive material properties are important.

From color-coded jigs and fixtures to production-floor components and specialized electrical applications, Onyx GF can help manufacturers incorporate visual identification into their existing workflows. For applications requiring additional structural performance, optional Continuous Fiber Reinforcement provides another design consideration.

Choosing the right material ultimately depends on the part's intended function, mechanical requirements, operating environment, and production needs. Saratech can help manufacturers evaluate Onyx GF, compatible Markforged printers, and other additive manufacturing options to determine the right approach for their applications.

Key Takeaways

Built-in color for manufacturing: Onyx GF is available in six colors to support visual management, tool identification, and production-floor organization.
Glass-fiber-filled nylon: Unlike conventional Onyx, which uses chopped carbon fiber, Onyx GF uses chopped glass fiber and offers non-conductive material properties.
Functional tooling and fixtures: Potential applications include color-coded jigs, fixtures, assembly aids, and other production-floor components.
Support for FOD prevention: High-visibility tooling can complement existing foreign object debris prevention and tool-control practices.
Optional continuous fiber reinforcement: Markforged Continuous Fiber Reinforcement can provide additional strength and stiffness when an application requires it.
Industrial printer compatibility: Onyx GF is supported on the Markforged FX10 and FX20, subject to the required printer configuration.
Application-specific material selection: Evaluate mechanical requirements, operating conditions, and material properties before selecting Onyx GF for a production application.