Choosing a colour for your 3D printed figure — matte, silk, bright or glow
How to choose a filament colour for a single-colour 3D printed figure, how matte, silk and glow-in-the-dark finishes differ, and which colours suit which rooms, figures and gifts.
On this page
Most of our figures are printed in a single colour, and you choose it. The same figure can look like a bronze sculpture, a graphic black silhouette or a bright toy depending on that one choice. Multi-colour figures print in their designed colours instead; multi-colour printing explained covers how.
The three finishes
Matte. No shine. Matte hides layer lines best and makes a figure read as sculpture. It is the safest choice for detailed figures.
Silk. A glossy, metallic sheen that catches light. Silk silver, gold and copper look like polished metal from a distance. The shine shows layer lines a little more, so pair silk with a finer print quality. More in what is silk PLA.
Glow in the dark. Pale green by day, glowing after dark. It is made with a phosphorescent pigment that charges under light. It is best for Halloween pieces and kids' rooms.
Colours that suit most figures
| Colour | Looks like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Matte black | A graphic silhouette | Caped and cloaked figures, modern rooms |
| Charcoal grey | Cast iron | Armour, warriors, dark wood shelves |
| Light grey | Unpainted stone | Skeletons, detailed faces |
| Matte white | Marble or porcelain | Minimal white rooms, gifts |
| Silk gold, copper, bronze | Polished metal | Gifts, festive displays, statues |
| Silk silver | Chrome | Armour and robots |
| Bright colours | Toys and collectibles | Minis, kids, desk pops of colour |
Choosing by room
- Wooden shelves and warm light: bronze, copper, charcoal or light grey.
- White walls and white desks: matte black for contrast, or white for calm.
- Gaming setups with RGB: matte black or charcoal, which pick up coloured light. See gaming setup decor.
- Offices: grey or black, which read as professional.
Choosing by figure
Dark characters in capes and cloaks, like the Brooding Knight Ledge Sitter, look best in matte black: the silhouette is the whole point. Armoured figures, like the Fallen Armour Ledge Sitter, come alive in silk silver or charcoal. Skeletons suit light grey or off-white.
How to choose on the site
Each single-colour product has a colour picker with our stock colours, a custom colour option for anything else, and a note box. Leave it blank and we pick what suits the figure. Either way, we confirm the colour by email before printing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a figure in any colour?
Most colours, yes. Choose a stock colour, use the custom picker, or describe what you want. We confirm by email and suggest the closest filament if an exact match is not possible.
Which colour hides layer lines best?
Matte finishes in mid to dark tones hide layer lines best. Silk and very light colours show them slightly more.
Can I choose the colour of a multi-colour figure?
Multi-colour figures print in their designed colours. For a different colour scheme, ask us through the contact page.
