Silk PLA gives a 3D print a glossy, satin sheen that catches the light. In gold, brass and silver it can pass for polished metal at a glance, and in colours it gives a model a finish that looks deliberate rather than plasticky. It is a popular choice for decorative pieces that go straight onto a shelf without painting.
Upload your model for an instant price
Choose “PLA Silk” in the quote, pick a colour, set the size and infill, and the price appears straight away.
What silk PLA is
Silk PLA is PLA with additives that give the printed surface a shiny, silky look. It prints on the same FDM printers as our standard PLA, with the same build size of up to 400 x 400 x 450 mm and the same infill choices.
The shine comes from the surface of each printed line. That has two practical effects:
- Curves and rounded shapes look their best. Light runs across the surface and shows off the form of the model.
- The shine can make layer lines more noticeable on some shapes, especially on shallow slopes. If you would rather hide layer lines, matte PLA does the opposite job.
What silk PLA is good for
- Trophies, awards and ornaments, particularly in gold, brass or silver.
- Vases, pots and decorative objects where the finish is the point.
- Figures, busts and display pieces that will not be painted.
- Cosplay details such as emblems, crowns and jewellery-style pieces. See cosplay 3D printing.
- Gifts and one-off keepsakes.
Silk PLA is chosen for looks. For parts that need to take a load, standard PLA at a higher infill is usually the more sensible choice. And if you are going to paint the part, there is little point paying for the silk finish: standard grey or white PLA takes primer just as well. Our guide to post-processing 3D prints covers painting.
Silk PLA colours
You can order silk PLA in:
- White
- Black
- Silver
- Gold
- Brass
- Blue
- Purple
- Pink
- Yellow
Colours on screen are only a guide, and the sheen changes how a colour looks from different angles. If an exact shade matters, email quotes@3dprinting.zone before you order.
What silk PLA costs
Pricing works the same way as for all our PLA: it is mostly based on the weight of plastic actually printed, which depends on the size of the part and the infill you choose, plus a small charge for the part’s volume. Silk PLA costs a little more per gram than standard PLA, so the same part will be slightly dearer in silk. The minimum price is $1 per part.
Because the finish is on the outside, decorative silk parts rarely need high infill. The default 20% suits most display models. Our infill percentage guide shows how much infill changes the price, with real examples.
Prices include GST, and shipping is a flat $15 per order anywhere in Australia, free on orders of $80 or more.
Other finishes to consider
- Matte PLA for a flat, low-sheen finish.
- Glow in the dark PLA for parts that glow after being in the light.
- Carbon fibre, wood, marble and translucent PLA.
- Resin for small parts with very fine detail.
Our 3D printing materials guide compares them side by side, or go back to our online 3D printing service for how ordering works.
Frequently asked questions
Is silk PLA real metal?
No. It is PLA plastic with a shiny finish. Gold, brass and silver silk PLA look metallic, but the part is light and is not conductive.
Is silk PLA as strong as standard PLA?
Silk PLA is made for appearance rather than strength. For brackets, clips and other parts that take a load, choose standard PLA and raise the infill.
Can I paint silk PLA?
You can, but the paint covers the finish you are paying extra for. If you plan to paint, standard grey or white PLA is the better value.
What size can you print in silk PLA?
Up to 400 x 400 x 450 mm, the same as our other PLA. Larger models can often be split into pieces.
How much more does silk PLA cost?
A little more per gram than standard PLA. The easiest way to compare is to upload your model and switch between materials in the quote: the price updates straight away.