Post-Processing & Finishing

Transform your 3D printed parts with professional finishing services. From basic cleanup to show-quality painted parts.

Surface Finishing

Improve surface quality and appearance with our range of surface treatments.

Sanding

Progressive sanding to smooth layer lines and surface texture. Available in medium (180-320 grit) or fine (400-800 grit) finish levels.

  • Compatible with: FDM, SLA
  • Result: Smooth matte surface
  • Best for: Parts to be painted, visual prototypes
From £5/part +1-2 days lead time

Vapour Smoothing

Chemical vapour treatment that melts and flows the surface for a glossy, injection-moulded appearance. Excellent for ABS and ASA parts.

  • Compatible with: ABS, ASA, Nylon (SLS)
  • Result: Glossy, sealed surface
  • Best for: Consumer products, display models
From £12/part +2-3 days lead time

Polishing

Machine polishing to achieve a high-gloss finish. Essential for clear resin parts requiring optical clarity.

  • Compatible with: SLA (especially clear resin)
  • Result: High-gloss, transparent finish
  • Best for: Light pipes, lenses, display cases
From £15/part +2-3 days lead time

Tumble Finishing

Vibratory tumbling with media to smooth surfaces and round edges. Cost-effective for batches of small parts.

  • Compatible with: SLS, MJF, FDM
  • Result: Smooth, uniform satin finish
  • Best for: Batch quantities, mechanical parts
From £2/part (min batch) +1-2 days lead time

Coatings & Painting

Professional coating services for protection and aesthetics.

Priming

High-build filler primer to fill layer lines and create a smooth base for painting. Includes light sanding between coats.

  • Compatible with: All processes
  • Result: Smooth, paint-ready surface
  • Best for: Preparation for painting
From £8/part +1-2 days lead time

Professional Painting

Spray painting with primer, colour coats, and optional clear coat. Available in any RAL or Pantone colour. Custom finishes: matte, satin, or gloss.

  • Compatible with: All processes
  • Colours: RAL, Pantone, custom match
  • Options: Matte, satin, gloss, metallic
From £15/part (single colour) +2-4 days lead time

Dyeing

Deep dye process for SLS and MJF parts. Colour penetrates the material for a durable finish that won't chip or peel.

  • Compatible with: SLS, MJF (nylon)
  • Colours: Black, blue, red, green, custom
  • Result: Uniform colour throughout
From £3/part +1-2 days lead time

Clear Coat / Sealing

UV-resistant clear coat to protect resin parts from yellowing, or sealing coat to reduce porosity in SLS/MJF parts.

  • Compatible with: All processes
  • Benefits: UV protection, water resistance
  • Options: Matte, satin, gloss
From £5/part +1 day lead time

Mechanical Finishing

Functional post-processing for mechanical applications.

Heat-Set Threaded Inserts

Brass threaded inserts heat-set into the plastic for reliable, repeatable screw connections. Far superior to printed or tapped threads.

  • Sizes: M2, M2.5, M3, M4, M5, M6
  • Material: Brass
  • Result: Strong, reusable threads
£1.50/insert Same day

Threading & Tapping

Machine tapping of holes for direct threading. Suitable for occasional use; recommend inserts for high-cycle applications.

  • Sizes: M3 and up
  • Depth: Up to 15mm
  • Note: Inserts recommended for repeated use
£2/hole Same day

Drilling & Reaming

Precision drilling or reaming for accurate hole sizes. Essential for tight-tolerance fits or pins.

  • Tolerance: H7 achievable
  • Sizes: 1mm and up
  • Best for: Dowel pins, press fits
£3/hole Same day

CNC Machining

Secondary CNC machining for critical surfaces requiring tight tolerances or specific surface finishes.

  • Tolerance: ±0.05mm achievable
  • Surfaces: Flat faces, bores, threads
  • Best for: Mating surfaces, sealing faces
From £20 setup + machining +2-3 days lead time

Assembly Services

Let us handle the assembly of multi-part prints and components.

Bonding & Gluing

Professional bonding of multi-part assemblies using appropriate adhesives for each material type.

  • Adhesives: CA, epoxy, urethane
  • Alignment: Fixtures used for accuracy
  • Result: Invisible joints possible
From £5/join +1 day lead time

Component Assembly

Assembly of your printed parts with supplied or sourced hardware (screws, magnets, bearings, etc.).

  • Hardware: Customer-supplied or sourced
  • Testing: Fit and function checks
  • Documentation: Assembly photos available
£30/hour assembly time Varies by complexity

Magnet Installation

Secure installation of magnets with proper orientation and strong adhesive bonds.

  • Types: Neodymium, ferrite
  • Sizes: 3mm diameter and up
  • Adhesive: CA or epoxy
£1/magnet (magnets extra) Same day

Which Finish Do I Need?

Quick guide to choosing the right post-processing for your application.

Application Recommended Finish Process
Visual prototype / presentation model Sanding + Priming + Painting FDM, SLA
Consumer product look-alike Vapour smoothing or Chemical smoothing ABS (FDM), SLS, MJF
Functional prototype (internal) Standard (no extra finishing) Any
Mechanical part with screw holes Heat-set inserts FDM, SLA
Transparent/optical part Polishing + Clear coat SLA (Clear resin)
Outdoor use UV-resistant clear coat or ASA material FDM (ASA), SLS, MJF
Watertight enclosure Sealing / infiltration SLS, MJF
Batch of small parts Tumble finishing + Dyeing SLS, MJF

Add Finishing to Your Quote

Select from our finishing options during checkout, or discuss custom requirements with our team.

Get Instant Quote