Finishing can reduce support marks or change appearance, but it can also remove or add material. Identify important visible faces and dimensions, edges and fits that must remain unchanged before production.
Download the English project worksheet. Open it as UTF-8 CSV, replace the guide context with your project inputs and record observations separately from acceptance decisions. Blank cells do not indicate a passed check.
Identify the mark you want to reduce
Layer lines follow the layered construction. Support marks occur at contact with temporary supports. A seam comes from the start and end of perimeter paths and can appear as a line or small uneven areas. “Smooth” may refer to any of these; mark the concern on a photograph. If the concern is stair-stepping on a sloped or curved face, changing the print itself may help before any post-processing: see how to choose a layer height for the face that matters.
Washing and post-curing belong to particular resin processes, not every filament print. The processes described here are explanatory, not a list of automatically available services. The real FDM quality case shows visible traces that remain after successive setting changes.
Define the visible and functional requirements separately
Use concrete language: layer lines acceptable, even matt appearance, support marks removed, or prepared for a specified next finish. Include a reference, viewing distance and lighting. Rank primary, secondary and hidden faces, then discuss print orientation.
If the concern is loose PETG threads, the stringing log separates observed process behaviour from the desired finish.
Protect critical dimensions during finishing
Mark holes, mating surfaces, sealing edges and measurement references separately, with dimensions and measurement methods. Agree whether abrasive or additive finishing should avoid them. For joined parts, include fit and delivered condition in Print & Assembly.
Connect the proposed operation to its consequences
For each support, seam or layer mark, record what is acceptable and which operation is being considered. Sanding and cutting remove material; primer, paint and coatings add it. The amount depends on execution and geometry, so do not apply a universal compensation value. The producer must select material-appropriate instructions.
Plan a representative finishing sample
A useful coupon has the same material, printed surface and a critical edge. Measure before and after with the same method. This fictional display-model plan has not been physically performed:
| Check | Planned requirement | Decision still needed |
|---|---|---|
| Front face | Layer lines allowed; deep support pits not allowed; inspect at 50 cm under fixed light | Agree a visual reference |
| Mating edge | Design dimension 30.0 mm | Agree tolerance before approval |
| Operation | Support removal and preparation | Specify actual method and products |
| Added material | Primer or coating undecided | Mask mating edge or remeasure |
| Labour | One sample before a series | Record actual time |
The plan cannot proceed until tolerance and finishing product are resolved. If a future sample meets the visual reference but moves the mating edge outside its limit, the result requires revision. A good-looking front does not cancel a dimensional failure. Revise masking or processing and assess a new sample.
Request the intended final state
Stop for unresolved conflicts between a polished surface and a sharp dimensional edge, unknown materials or processes, or unanswered chemical and safety questions. A successful coupon supports only its recorded combination.
Include finishing in the quotation
Send the marked visible face, finish reference and dimensions to preserve with your print request. For example, say that layer lines may remain but support marks on the front are unwanted. Ask which execution and sample would assess that requirement.
Discuss hand finishing in the cost breakdown: labour for a visible face comes alongside printing. For assemblies, specify whether finishing happens before or after joining and which seams may remain visible. This allows proposals to be compared for the same delivered result.