Choosing Gloss or Standard Finish for Your Custom Figurine

Understanding the Finish Options

When you upload a photo to 01fig and request a custom figurine, you will be asked to select a surface finish. The two choices are standard (matte) and gloss. Both finishes are applied during the final post‑processing stage and affect how light interacts with the surface, which in turn changes the visual impact of the figure.

• Standard (matte) finish: Diffuses light, reducing reflections. Details such as facial features and clothing textures appear softer and more even. This finish is often preferred when the source photo has a muted or natural lighting style.
• Gloss finish: Creates a shiny surface that reflects ambient light. Highlights become more pronounced, making colors pop and giving the figurine a “new‑toy” look. Gloss can accentuate the contrast between light and shadow, which is useful for dramatic poses or vivid outfits.

Visual Preferences: When to Choose Each Finish

Your decision should start with the aesthetic you want to achieve. Below are common scenarios that help you match the finish to the visual goal.

1. Matching the Photo’s Mood

• Soft, pastel, or vintage‑style photos – A matte finish tends to preserve the gentle tone without adding extra shine that could distract from the overall mood.
• Bright, colorful, or high‑contrast photos – Gloss can amplify the vividness of the palette, making reds, blues, and yellows appear more saturated.

2. Highlighting Details

• Fine facial features or intricate clothing patterns – Gloss will create small specular highlights that can make these details stand out, especially on smooth surfaces like a smooth‑finished jacket.
• Rough textures (e.g., fur, knitted fabrics) – Matte finish reduces glare on textured areas, preventing the surface from looking overly slick.

3. Display Environment

• Well‑lit shelves with spotlights – Gloss finishes will catch the light and become a focal point, but they may also show fingerprints more readily.
• Dimmer or ambient lighting – Matte finishes maintain a consistent appearance without relying on external light sources.

Inspecting the Preview: What It Shows and What It Doesn’t

01fig provides a design preview that shows a rendered image of your chosen style (chibi, realistic, or anime) with the selected finish applied. It is important to understand the limitations of this preview:

• The preview is a reference image, not a photograph of the final product. The rendering algorithm approximates how gloss or matte will look, but the actual surface may vary slightly due to the printing process and post‑processing.
• Colors may shift a little in the physical figure because the printer uses a limited pigment palette compared to digital displays.
• The preview does not show fingerprints, dust, or any minor surface imperfections that can appear on a real figurine.
• Only two people or characters can be included in a single preview; pets are counted separately. If you need more subjects, you will need separate orders.

When reviewing the preview, focus on the overall shape, pose, and the relative brightness of the finish. If the gloss version looks overly reflective in the preview, consider whether that reflectivity will be a benefit or a distraction in your intended display setting.

Confirming the Finish Surcharge

Choosing gloss adds a small surcharge to the base price. The exact amount is displayed on the order summary page before you confirm the purchase. Make sure to:

1. Review the price breakdown after selecting the finish.
2. Verify that the surcharge aligns with your budget and the visual impact you expect.
3. Remember that the surcharge is a one‑time addition; it does not affect future orders unless you choose gloss again.

Practical Tips for Making the Decision

• Order a test with the standard finish first if you are unsure. The matte version is often less prone to showing fingerprints, which can be helpful for frequently handled pieces.
• Consider the base option: 71 % of users in a recent 01fig data set chose no base for their figurines. A base can help keep the figure stable, but it also adds another surface that may reflect light differently depending on the finish.
• Check the public gallery: 86 customers have shared their results publicly. Browsing those examples can give you a real‑world sense of how gloss versus matte looks on completed figurines.
• Think about future display changes: If you plan to move the figurine between different lighting conditions, a matte finish offers a more neutral appearance across settings.

Where to Proceed

When you are ready to finalize the finish, go to the free design preview page, upload your photo, choose your preferred style, and then select either standard or gloss finish. The preview will update instantly, allowing you to compare the two options side by side before you add the item to the cart. For detailed specifications, see the product details page.

FAQ

How does the gloss finish affect the feel of the figurine?

Gloss adds a smooth, slightly slick surface that reflects light. The tactile difference is subtle; the figure feels a bit more polished than a matte one, but both are safe to handle.

Will the finish choice change the shipping time?

No. The finish is applied during the final post‑processing stage, which is included in the standard production timeline. The surcharge only affects the price, not the delivery schedule.

Can I switch the finish after ordering?

Changes to the finish must be made before the order is finalized. Once the production process has started, the finish cannot be altered.

Does the preview show exactly how the finish will look?

The preview gives a close visual approximation, but the final product may have slight variations in reflectivity and color due to the printing process. Use the preview as a guide rather than a perfect replica.