Internal testing, early prototypes
Unfinished
Parts are delivered after support or powder removal with visible print texture, support marks or layer lines where applicable.
3D Printing Post-Processing
Surface finishing for printed parts that need to look, feel or perform better
Move from raw prints to ready-to-use parts with support removal, cleaning, sanding, bead blasting, dyeing, painting, coating, polishing, heat treatment and assembly.
Cosmetic finishing Functional finishing Material-specific options
Select finishing with your print order
Choose process, material and surface requirement in the same quote flow
From raw to ready-to-use Natural / Standard / Custom
- Finish levels
- 4
- Options
- 12+
- Materials
- All
Finish Levels
Choose the finish level your part actually needs
Start with the application. Internal prototypes, engineering samples, production parts and presentation models do not need the same level of finishing.
Engineering samples, fit checks
Natural
Supported areas are cleaned and lightly sanded to reduce visible nubs while keeping cost and lead time low.
Functional parts, low-volume batches
Standard
Additional sanding, blasting or smoothing creates a more consistent surface while keeping the part practical for production use.
Presentation models, branded parts
Custom
Painting, dyeing, soft-touch coating, decals, polishing, masking, plating or special finishing for appearance and performance.
Post-Processing Options
Common finishing services for 3D printed parts
These are the core post-processing services used most often across resin, nylon, plastic and metal printed parts.
01
Support removal
Suitable for: Resin / Metal / FDMSupports, nibs and loose powder are removed before inspection. This is the baseline cleanup step for most printed parts.
02
Cleaning
Suitable for: ResinFresh resin prints are washed and brushed to remove uncured resin and surface residue before curing or finishing.
03
Sanding & polishing
Suitable for: Metal / ResinReduce support witness marks, improve touch quality and move from satin to high-gloss surfaces where geometry allows.
04
Dyeing
Suitable for: Nylon (SLS / MJF)Colour penetrates nylon instead of adding a thick paint layer, helping preserve dimensions while creating a uniform tone.
05
Painting & coating
Suitable for: All materialsPrimer, paint, clear coat, soft-touch coating, masking and colour matching for branded or presentation-ready parts.
06
Bead blasting
Suitable for: Nylon / Metal / ResinFine media blasting creates a clean, even matte texture and helps reduce visible layer or powder marks.
By Material
Finishing depends on material and print process
The best finish for a nylon MJF part is not always the best finish for SLA resin or SLM metal. Choose by surface goal, dimensional needs and end use.
Nylon / MJF / SLS
Dyeing, vapor smoothing, painting
Dyeing gives uniform colour with low dimensional impact. Vapor smoothing can reduce layer texture on compatible nylon and TPU. Painting supports branded colour finishes when aesthetics matter.
Resin / SLA
Basic or professional surface cleanup
Basic finishing is practical for test parts. Professional finishing adds sanding and retouching on accessible areas to reduce support marks and improve presentation quality.
Metal / SLM
Blasting, polishing, heat treatment, machining
Metal printed parts can be blasted for a uniform matte surface, polished for smoother aesthetics, heat treated for performance or secondary machined for critical tolerances.
Resin Finishes
Basic vs Professional resin finishing
For resin parts, support removal quality has a major effect on visible surfaces. Pick the finish level based on whether the part is hidden, handled or customer-facing.
Basic finish
Supports are removed and parts are cleaned. Small witness marks from support points can remain visible or felt by touch.
- Best for functional tests
- Good when appearance is not critical
- Fastest, lower-cost resin option
Professional finish
Support marks are sanded and retouched on accessible areas, then the part is cleaned or blasted for a more uniform surface.
- Best for display and handled parts
- Cleaner visible surfaces
- Suitable for master patterns and models
Compatibility
Which finish suits which material
| Finish | Best suited for | Effect | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support removal | Resin, metal, FDM | Removes support structures and nibs | Baseline cleanup |
| Cleaning | Resin | Removes uncured resin and residue | SLA production workflow |
| Bead blasting | Nylon, metal, resin | Uniform matte texture | Standard production finish |
| Dyeing | Nylon PA12, PA11 | Colour penetrates the material | Black or custom colour parts |
| Vapor smoothing | Nylon, TPU | Reduces visible print texture | Smoother functional plastic parts |
| Painting / coating | All materials | Adds colour, protection or soft-touch feel | Branding and presentation models |
| Polishing | Metal, resin | Smoother satin to mirror surface | Premium appearance or touch points |
| Heat treatment | SLM metal, PEEK | Improves stability or mechanical performance | Engineering and end-use parts |
| Secondary machining | Metal, engineering plastics | Tighter tolerance on critical faces | Threads, bores, sealing faces |
Custom Finishing
Cosmetic and functional finishing options
For customer-facing parts or production-ready assemblies, combine multiple finishing steps to meet a specific look, feel or performance target.
Clear coat
Improves clarity and appearance for translucent or display-focused resin parts.
Colour matching
RAL, Pantone or reference colour matching for branded product prototypes.
Decals & marking
Add logos, graphics, labels or identification marks for presentation and traceability.
Plating
Metallic surface treatments can improve wear resistance or create a cast-metal appearance.
Heat treatment
Annealing, stress relief and hardening improve stability and performance where material allows.
Secondary machining
Critical faces, bores and threads can be machined after printing when tolerances are tight.
FAQs
Post-processing questions
The right finish depends on material, geometry, tolerance and the surfaces people will see or touch.
For internal fit checks or early engineering tests, choose Unfinished or Natural. For customer-facing prototypes, Standard or Custom finishing gives a cleaner surface and better presentation.
Basic resin finishing removes supports and leaves some support witness marks visible. Professional resin finishing includes more sanding and retouching on accessible areas before final blasting or cleanup.
Dyeing is usually preferred for nylon when dimensional impact needs to stay low because colour penetrates the material instead of building a thick coating on top.
Yes. Painting and coating can be specified with RAL, Pantone or supplied colour references. Exact availability depends on material, surface quality and finish type.
Yes. SLM metal parts can be stress relieved, heat treated, polished, blasted or secondary machined when the project needs better mechanical performance, tighter tolerances or critical surfaces.
Add finishing to your next 3D printing order
Select post-processing options directly in the instant quote flow, or contact us for custom requirements.