One of the exciting aspects of 3D printing is the ability to control not just the shape, but also the surface finish of your prints. Whether you prefer a sleek, glossy finish or a textured, matte look, you can tweak slicer settings, material choices, and post-processing methods to achieve exactly the style you want.
In this guide, we’ll break down how slicer settings, filaments, and techniques affect matte and glossy finishes, and how to fine-tune your printer for the perfect surface texture every time.
What Determines a 3D Print’s Surface Finish?
Several factors influence whether a print appears matte or glossy:
- Filament material and additives
- Nozzle temperature
- Cooling and fan speed
- Layer height
- Print speed
- Bed surface texture
- Post-processing techniques
Choosing the right combination is key to achieving your desired finish.
Best Settings for Matte 3D Prints
If you want a smooth, non-reflective, matte finish, focus on diffusing light across the surface.
1. Use Matte-Specific Filaments
Some filaments are formulated to be naturally matte by including fine particle additives.
| Material | Example Brands |
|---|---|
| Matte PLA | Polymaker PolyLite Matte, Prusament Matte PLA |
| Matte PETG | Extrudr Matte PETG |
| Matte ABS | Fillamentum ASA Extrafill |
These filaments scatter light rather than reflect it sharply, creating a true matte surface without heavy tuning.
2. Lower Nozzle Temperature Slightly
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Nozzle Temp | 190–210°C for PLA, 220–240°C for PETG |
Lower temperatures reduce surface sheen.
Too much heat makes layers “gloss over” and become shiny.
📌 Drop your normal print temperature by about 5–10°C to encourage a more textured finish.
3. Increase Cooling Fan Speed
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Fan Speed | 100% (full fan after first layers) |
Stronger cooling prevents the outer layer from flowing too much after extrusion, preserving texture and minimizing shine.
4. Use Slightly Higher Layer Heights
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Layer Height | 0.2–0.28 mm |
Slightly thicker layers introduce more surface texture, enhancing the matte look.
5. Reduce Print Speed Slightly
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Print Speed | 30–50 mm/s |
Lower speeds improve overall print consistency, especially if paired with good cooling.
Best Settings for Glossy 3D Prints
If you want smooth, reflective, high-shine surfaces, focus on encouraging surface flow during printing.
1. Choose Glossy Filaments
Some filaments are designed to print glossy:
| Material | Example Brands |
|---|---|
| Glossy PLA | eSUN Silk PLA, Polymaker Silk Series |
| Glossy PETG | Prusament PETG, Overture PETG |
| Glossy ABS | Hatchbox ABS, eSUN ABS+ |
Silk PLA variants especially produce extremely reflective, glass-like surfaces.
2. Increase Nozzle Temperature Moderately
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Nozzle Temp | 210–225°C for PLA, 240–260°C for PETG |
Higher nozzle temperatures promote better layer fusion and surface smoothness, helping the material flow and form reflective skins.
📌 Raise your normal print temperature by about 5–10°C carefully—avoid overheating and blobs.
3. Reduce Cooling Fan Speed
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Fan Speed | 0–30% |
Low or no cooling allows layers to blend slightly, smoothing over small ridges and creating a shiny surface.
4. Use Lower Layer Heights
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Layer Height | 0.1–0.16 mm |
Finer layers produce smoother curves and less visible stepping, critical for an even glossy effect.
5. Slow Down Print Speed Further
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Print Speed | 20–40 mm/s |
Slower speeds ensure steady extrusion and better surface quality, minimizing visible nozzle marks.
Bed Surface Considerations
| Bed Surface | Matte Prints | Glossy Prints |
|---|---|---|
| PEI Textured Sheet | Excellent for matte finishes | Not ideal for glossy finishes |
| Smooth PEI Sheet | Good for semi-gloss first layers | Good for overall smoothness |
| Glass Bed | Excellent for glossy first layers | Highly reflective base layer |
📌 For a glossy bottom surface, print directly on a clean, glass bed at slightly higher bed temperatures.
Post-Processing for Enhanced Effects
| Technique | Matte Finish | Glossy Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Light sanding (400–600 grit) | Enhances matte look | Dulls glossy prints |
| Clear spray varnish | Can dull surface slightly | Use gloss clear coat for higher shine |
| Vapor smoothing (for ABS/ASA) | Produces ultra-smooth glossy finish | Not used for matte results |
If you want ultra-glossy ABS prints, acetone vapor smoothing remains the gold standard.
Summary Table: Best Settings Overview
| Feature | Matte Prints | Glossy Prints |
|---|---|---|
| Filament Type | Matte PLA, Matte PETG | Silk PLA, Glossy PETG |
| Nozzle Temp | Lower (cooler) | Higher (hotter) |
| Fan Speed | High (100%) | Low (0–30%) |
| Layer Height | Thicker (0.2–0.28 mm) | Finer (0.1–0.16 mm) |
| Bed Surface | Textured PEI | Smooth PEI or Glass |
| Print Speed | Medium (30–50 mm/s) | Slow (20–40 mm/s) |
FAQs
Q1: Can I make glossy prints matte with post-processing?
Yes. Light sanding, bead blasting, or matte clear coats can reduce glossiness.
Q2: Is silk PLA harder to print than standard PLA?
Silk PLA is slightly trickier—it needs lower cooling, higher temperatures, and careful retraction tuning to prevent stringing.
Q3: How do I get a perfectly smooth glossy surface?
Use a glass bed for the first layer, fine layer heights, slow printing, and possibly post-process with clear gloss spray.
Q4: Can I print glossy PETG easily?
Yes, by using minimal cooling, higher nozzle temperatures, and a slow, steady print speed, you can achieve nice glossy PETG prints.
Conclusion
Whether you’re aiming for a soft, elegant matte finish or a high-impact glossy shine, tuning your printer settings, material choice, and printing environment gives you full control over your 3D prints’ final appearance.
Understanding the balance between temperature, cooling, speed, and filament type will help you master both styles—and produce prints that not only function well but look exactly the way you envision.