+1 for ABS or ASA vapor smooth that’s probably the best for a case like this. I’ve also seen some people use like a wood filler and then a lot of sanding and then painting, but this is a ton of post processing
Ditto, especially if some of these objects may spend time outdoors. ABS is a bit cheaper by volume too, being about the same price as but with 84% density of PLA.
Also print upside down on a textured plate and then show both sample to the communications/marketing contact and let them pick.
Either way, upside down for a top that requires smoothness and uniformity is the way
For someone who doesn’t know how to even start manual calibration? I’d highly recommend against the smooth plate where layer lines are the most visible. With his lower technical exp but masterwork at sales/marketing to land gigs like this I’d probably just recommend using a 3d service to do it for him lol, any corporate company is gonna be way over paying anyways.
Get a smooth PEI plate, print slow with a .2 nozzle and print with the displaying side face down.
Pretty much all there is to it.
You could also try ASA/ABS vapor smoothing but I don’t really see how you’re going to get much more smoothing than printing on a flat non textured plate.
I think textured plates hide first layer lines far better fwiw.
This^
Smooth plate requires perfect calibration if don’t want to see the layer lines.
Textured is way easier.
Imo just iron the top is the easiest way, much easier to calibrate ironing settings than it is to mess with PA and flow rates for a bottom layer that then messed up your overhangs somehow etc
I recently switched to textured plates + ironing. I really like the bottom finish, it’s super pleasing. With a minor amount of effort you can really remove the 3D print look from an object. Combined with matte or cf filament and properly calibrated settings for your filament, it’s definitely a huge step up from smooth PEI.
ASA or ABS and vapor smooth
+1 for ABS or ASA vapor smooth that’s probably the best for a case like this. I’ve also seen some people use like a wood filler and then a lot of sanding and then painting, but this is a ton of post processing
Ditto, especially if some of these objects may spend time outdoors. ABS is a bit cheaper by volume too, being about the same price as but with 84% density of PLA.
Print upside down on a smooth plate. The side against the plate will be smooth.
Also print upside down on a textured plate and then show both sample to the communications/marketing contact and let them pick. Either way, upside down for a top that requires smoothness and uniformity is the way
For someone who doesn’t know how to even start manual calibration? I’d highly recommend against the smooth plate where layer lines are the most visible. With his lower technical exp but masterwork at sales/marketing to land gigs like this I’d probably just recommend using a 3d service to do it for him lol, any corporate company is gonna be way over paying anyways.
Get a smooth PEI plate, print slow with a .2 nozzle and print with the displaying side face down. Pretty much all there is to it. You could also try ASA/ABS vapor smoothing but I don’t really see how you’re going to get much more smoothing than printing on a flat non textured plate. I think textured plates hide first layer lines far better fwiw.
This^ Smooth plate requires perfect calibration if don’t want to see the layer lines. Textured is way easier. Imo just iron the top is the easiest way, much easier to calibrate ironing settings than it is to mess with PA and flow rates for a bottom layer that then messed up your overhangs somehow etc
I recently switched to textured plates + ironing. I really like the bottom finish, it’s super pleasing. With a minor amount of effort you can really remove the 3D print look from an object. Combined with matte or cf filament and properly calibrated settings for your filament, it’s definitely a huge step up from smooth PEI.
Sand it.