Chalcones are well-known natural dyes, 18 different derivatives selected from the rational molecular design (i.e. through molecular orbital calculations) were synthesized. If used in conjunction with an amine (i.e. ethyl l, 4-(dimethylamino) benzoate, EDB) and an iodonium salt (bis(4-tert-butylphenyl) iodonium hexafluorophosphate, Iod) as photoinitiating systems (PISs), these dyes can initiate both the free radical polymerization of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG-diacrylate) and the cationic polymerization of 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate (EPOX) via oxidation–reduction reaction mechanisms. Furthermore, among the 18 different suggested structures, except for dyes 9 and 10, which have been synthesized and used in other fields, the remaining 16 dyes have never been synthesized before. The photopolymerization efficiency of acrylates carried out under LED@405 nm are excellent both for thin films (the thickness is about 0.2 mm) and thick films (the thickness is about 2 mm). Furthermore, all of them can also boost the cationic polymerization of EPOX upon LED irradiation at 405 nm, in the presence of an iodonium salt and an amine. More interestingly, stereoscopic 3D patterns were successfully fabricated by the direct laser write (DLW) technique which demonstrated reversible swelling properties and reversible shape-memory effects induced via swelling and dehydration for the access to 4D printing. Display omitted •18 new synthetic derivatives selected from in silico molecular design were synthesized.•These dyes can initiate both free radical and cationic polymerizations.•The photopolymerization efficiency are excellent both for thin films and thick films.•3D patterns were successfully fabricated by the direct laser write (DLW) technique.•Swelling and dehydration induced shape-memory polymer network were prepared.