Matte, glossy or translucent: choosing a finish

Two prints of the same model can look and feel quite different depending on the filament. Some plastics reflect light, so layer lines and small flaws catch the eye. Others scatter light and look soft and even. Others let light through. Choosing the finish early is easier than trying to change it later, because sanding and painting a printed part takes time and rarely looks as even as the plastic itself.

The finishes in the quote calculator are PLA Basic, PLA Matte, PETG Basic, PETG HF, PETG Matte and PETG Translucent. This guide explains what each of them is good at.

PLA Basic and PETG Basic are the standard options. They have a slight sheen, somewhat stronger on PETG, and give the colour its full strength. The surface shows layer lines more than a matte one does, especially on curved shapes. They are a sensible choice for functional parts, prototypes and most things where the appearance is not the main point.

PETG HF is a high-flow variant of PETG, meant for faster printing. Its look is close to PETG Basic, so treat it as the same family when you think about appearance.

PLA Matte and PETG Matte have a flat, velvety surface that scatters light instead of reflecting it. This does a few useful things:

• Layer lines and small blemishes are much less visible.
• Fingerprints and light dust show less.
• Colours look calmer and a little deeper, which suits product-like objects, desk accessories and decorative pieces.

A matte surface does not remove layer lines; it only makes them quieter. A matte part that is scratched or rubbed may show a shiny or lighter mark. If you want to paint a part, the surface of any of these materials takes primer, but a matte one gives a more even start.

Matte PLA is the more precise of the two for fine detail. Matte PETG is the better choice when the part will be handled, dropped or kept somewhere warm.

PETG Translucent lets light through while diffusing it. It is not clear like glass: you will not see a sharp image through it, and layer lines remain visible inside the wall. What it does well is soften and spread light, which makes it a good fit for:

• lamp shades and light diffusers,
• covers for LED strips and indicators,
• light guides and display windows,
• objects where the inside should glow rather than be hidden.

Use LED bulbs only: incandescent or halogen bulbs can soften PETG. Thin walls transmit more light, and thicker walls glow dimmer. If light is the point of the part, think about the wall thickness in the design. As a rule of thumb, prototypes of a lamp are best printed with a wall of 1 to 2 mm and then tested with the actual light source.

For a glossy look, the Basic types are the shiniest, with PETG somewhat glossier than PLA. If you need a mirror-like surface, the usual route is to sand and coat the part afterwards. That is not part of the instant quote, so write to us if you need it and we will say what is possible.

A few typical cases show how the choice works in practice:

• A desk organiser or phone stand: PLA Matte, because it looks calm and does not show fingerprints.
• A bracket for a shelf or a bike accessory: PETG Basic or PETG Matte, for toughness.
• A cover for an LED strip or a night-light shade: PETG Translucent, to diffuse the light.
• A prototype to check shape and size: PLA Basic, the simplest and most precise route.
• A decorative object that will stand in a bright window: PETG Matte, since PLA can soften in strong sun.

These are suggestions, not rules. When two options both fit, the difference is small, and you can try one and compare the result.

The material is only part of the story. Layer height changes how smooth a surface feels more than the finish type does. In the calculator you can choose 0.08, 0.12, 0.16, 0.20 or 0.24 mm. Finer layers make curves smoother and layer lines less visible, and also make the print slower and a little more expensive. Matte plus a fine layer is the quietest-looking combination; a thick layer shows its lines no matter what colour you choose.

Screens vary, and translucent and matte plastics look different from a flat swatch. The calculator shows the colours we have in production for each material, with names rather than colour alone. If matching a colour is important, tell us in a request and we will say honestly what is possible.

• Want a calm, even look: matte.
• Want light to pass through: translucent.
• Want the most detail or paint later: PLA.
• Want toughness plus a good look: PETG Matte.
• Not sure: Basic is a reliable starting point.