Textured 3D Printed Parts – Combining Function and Aesthetics
3D printing enables precise control over surface textures, allowing engineers to embed functional and cosmetic features directly into part geometry. Whether you’re enhancing grip, reducing glare, or adding branded patterns, textured 3D printed parts offer a unique blend of performance and visual appeal—without the need for secondary finishing or tooling.
Why Texture Matters in 3D Printed Parts
- Functional Benefits: Textures can enhance grip, reduce friction, or improve fluid dynamics.
- Aesthetic Control: Mimic leather, woodgrain, or custom branding directly on the part.
- No Tooling Required: Unlike injection molding, textures are digitally embedded—no molds or inserts needed.
- Repeatable Results: High-resolution printers like MJF and SLA ensure consistent texture reproduction across batches.
- Visually Stunning: Can be combined with other finishing technologies to produce end use parts:
- Vapor Smoothing to give the parts an injection mold like finish
- Cerakote to make them colorful
Supported 3D Printing Technologies
| Technology | Texture Fidelity | Support Required | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) | ★★★★★ | No | End-use parts with fine textures |
| SLS | ★★★★☆ | No | Durable parts with medium textures |
| PolyJet | ★★★★★ | Yes | Visual prototypes only |
| SLA | ★★★★☆ | Yes | High-res prototypes |
| DLP | ★★★★☆ | Yes | Fine textures on end-use parts |
| FDM | ★★☆☆☆ | Yes | Basic textures on sidewalls |
- Best Options – No Support Interference: These technologies produce highly detailed textures without the need for support structures, making them ideal for consistent surface finishes.
- Multi Jet Fusion (MJF): Exceptional for fine textures on end-use Nylon 12 parts. No support structures required, ensuring clean surface detail across all faces.
- Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): Capable of producing good textures on durable parts. Best suited for medium-detail textures; ultra-fine textures may be less defined.
- PolyJet: Delivers extremely high-resolution textures, ideal for visual prototypes. However, parts are not durable and are recommended for cosmetic use only.
- Medium Options – Support Required: These technologies offer high-resolution texture capabilities but require support structures, which can interfere with surface quality on supported faces.
- Stereolithography (SLA): Produces smooth, high-detail textures on prototype parts. Avoid placing textures on support-facing surfaces.
- Digital Light Processing (DLP): Similar to SLA but with faster print speeds. Suitable for end-use parts with fine textures, provided support placement is carefully managed.
- Limited Option – Texture Constraints: This technology has limited ability to reproduce textures due to support requirements and resolution limitations.
- Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): Can produce basic textures on vertical sidewalls. Top surfaces and support-facing areas often lack definition, making it unsuitable for fine or cosmetic textures.
Options To Get Texture On Your Parts
You can apply the texture to your parts using a software like Solidworks. On this page you can find a tutorial for applying texture to a 3D CAD model using the Solidworks 3D Texture tool.
Another option is for our inhouse engineering department to work with you to apply texture to your parts before they are printed. We have a large selection of texture options or can work with a custom texture if you would like to create your own. If you would like to talk to one of our sales engineers about this option please reach out to us HERE.
Textured 3D Printed Parts Gallery
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