Common Surface Treatment Processes for Plastic Products
1.Painting / Spray Coating
- Applicable to: ABS, PC, PS, Acrylic, etc.
- Effects: High gloss, matte, rubber paint, metallic paint, soft-touch paint.
- Advantages: Rich colors, good hand feel, covers defects.
- Common issues: Paint peeling, poor scratch resistance.
2.Silk Screen Printing / Pad Printing
- Applicable to: Almost all plastics.
- Effects: Printing LOGO, text, patterns.
- Silk screen printing: Large flat areas.
- Pad printing: Curved and irregular surfaces.
3.Hot Stamping
- Effects: Metallic finish, high-end appearance.
- Applicable to: Remote controls, cosmetic cases, home appliance panels.
4.Electroplating
- Effects: Bright chrome, matte chrome, gold, gunmetal.
- Advantages: Strong metallic appearance, wear-resistant.
- Note: Best for ABS, followed by PC/ABS.
5.Vacuum Metallization
- Effects: Matte metallic, iridescent, gradient colors.
- More eco-friendly and lower cost than traditional electroplating.
6.Laser Engraving / Laser Marking
- Effects: Backlit buttons, illuminated LOGO.
- Applicable to: Remote controls, keyboards, automotive buttons.
7.Polishing / Texture / Etching
- Texture applied directly on the mold; finished after molding.
- Includes: Fine texture, leather grain, matte finish, brushed texture.
8.High Gloss Finishing
- Mirror effect, premium appearance.
- Commonly used for home appliances and digital housings.
9.UV Transfer Printing / Brushing / Imitation Metal
- Achieves brushed, CD pattern, and metallic effects at low cost.
10.Hard Coating
- Improves surface hardness and scratch resistance.
- Applicable to: Phone cases, lenses, transparent parts.
11.Water Transfer Printing
-Effects: Camouflage, carbon fiber, wood grain, marble patterns.
-Applicable to: irregular 3D shaped plastic parts.
-Advantages: full coverage, strong decoration.
12.Heat Transfer Printing
-Effects: Colorful patterns, photos, complex designs.
-High efficiency, stable quality, widely used for toys, stationery, home appliances.
