Vapor smoothing services

Smooth, Strong, Production-Ready Parts

Vapor smoothing is a high-quality post-processing finish that transforms 3D printed parts into smooth, polished, and structurally enhanced components. Ideal for parts made with MJF and SLS printing, this chemical polishing process reduces surface roughness and visible layer lines while strengthening the part’s exterior. Choose vapor smoothing when you need a professional surface finish, whether for prototypes, functional prototypes, or end-use parts, and select it directly within our quoting tool.

Types of vapor smoothing

Example of a vapor smoothed part

Design considerations for vapor smoothing

• Design your parts with uniform surface and wall thicknesses to ensure even polishing results. Thin walls and sharp corners may not work well with vapor polishing.
• You may want to design your parts with a loop or hook that can be cut off later so they can be hung in the machine during polishing. Without specific design considerations, the polishing process may leave small marks on the parts.
• Complex geometric designs may affect the quality of vapor polished parts. Holes or openings that are too small may be closed during the process. You may also encounter warping issues with designs that are too complex.
• Vapor polishing can darken the appearance of a raw part. For example, an MJF part that usually looks light gray may appear much darker—almost black—after vapor polishing. This can sometimes be mistaken for a dyed part.