Enjoy a 10% discount on your first purchase. See More +
We help innovators
find the cheapest
3D printing supplier.
Upload 3D Models
My Cart

Upload 3D Models Upload
My Cart
We help innovators
find the cheapest
3D printing supplier.
Electroplating

Electroplating

Electroplating involves depositing a thin layer of metal onto the surface of a 3D printed part through an electrochemical process. Electroplating enhances the surface finish of the as-printed parts, improving durability, conductivity, corrosion protection and aesthetics. It can coat complex geometries uniformly and is compatible with a wide range of base materials, with the potential to use different plated metals such as gold, silver, nickel, copper and brass.

  • Quote group Color
  • Extra finishing lead time No extra days — included with the print lead time
  • Print processes that support this finish Metal | SLM, Resin | SLA
  • When you quote The quote is not final for electroplating and AIHFabs team will contact you by Email within 12 hours.
Quote this finish Upload a CAD file Create a project Hardware Solutions

What Electroplating does for 3D printed parts

Electroplating is one of the 3D Plus hardware finishing services on AIHFABS. It is applied after printing so the part leaves production closer to a usable product—not only a raw build. Use this page to decide whether Electroplating matches your cosmetic, durability, or assembly requirements before you upload a file.

Electroplating involves depositing a thin layer of metal onto the surface of a 3D printed part through an electrochemical process. Electroplating enhances the surface finish of the as-printed parts, improving durability, conductivity, corrosion protection and aesthetics. It can coat complex geometries uniformly and is compatible with a wide range of base materials, with the potential to use different plated metals such as gold, silver, nickel, copper and brass.

Finishing is quoted with the print. Select Electroplating in checkout, review price and lead time, and keep printing plus post-processing in one order instead of coordinating a second shop.

Why teams specify Electroplating

Appearance

Electroplating can hide layer lines, even out color, or create a more uniform surface for display models, consumer housings, and review samples.

Performance

Depending on the process, Electroplating may improve wear, corrosion resistance, grip, or light diffusion so the part survives handling and end use.

Ready-to-assemble parts

When Electroplating is combined with printing, you receive parts that are closer to install-ready, reducing secondary work in your own workshop.

How to order this finish

Ordering Electroplating follows the same 3D Plus software flow as a standard print. You do not need a separate finishing RFQ for catalog options.

  1. Upload the CAD file

    Use STL, STEP, or another supported format. The quoter checks volume and geometry so finishing can be priced against the actual part.

  2. Choose print process, material, and Electroplating

    Pick SLA, SLS, MJF, SLM, FDM, DLP, or CNC where applicable, then add Electroplating and any other 3D Plus hardware options the part needs.

  3. Compare price, lead time, and checkout

    Review supplier options, confirm quantity, and place the order. Printing and finishing stay on one timeline and one invoice.

Compatible processes and design notes

Electroplating is typically applied to plastics or metals produced with industrial 3D printing. Compatibility depends on material, wall thickness, and whether the surface can be reached by spray, media, chemistry, or tooling. Deep recesses, thin walls, and optical faces may need design review. If the automatic quote cannot apply Electroplating to your file, request a manual quotation.

Need Electroplating on a batch, a mixed-material assembly, or a part that also requires tapping or painting? Keep those options in the same quote so lead time includes the full stack of operations.

Options in the online quote

These are the 3D Plus rows tied to Electroplating. Compare the look, extra days, and which materials each option supports before you upload.

Electroplated

Electroplated

Electroplating coats 3D-printed parts with a thin metal layer through an electrochemical process, creating a shiny, metallic finish that enhances both appearance and durability.

  • Extra finishing lead time No extra days — included with the print lead time
  • When you quote The quote is not final for electroplating and AIHFabs team will contact you by Email within 12 hours.

Compatible materials

18NI300 316L Stainless Steel Aluminum Alloy 6061 Aluminum Alloy AlSi10Mg Titanium Alloy Series Titanium Alloy Ti₆Al₄V Castable Photopolymer Resin High-detail Resin White High-temp Resin Red High-Temp Resistant Resin Red Nylon-like Resin TuS Premium Clear Resin Resin Black Resin White Standard Resin Black Standard Resin White Tough Resin White Ultra-Tough Resin Black Ultra-Tough Resin Blue Ultra-Tough Resin White
Quote this finish

Materials you can pair with Electroplating

Only these grades can take this finish in the instant quote. Open a material for specs, or upload a file and the quoter will only show compatible options.

Metal | SLM

18NI300 18NI300 Print lead time: 10Days 316L Stainless Steel 316L Stainless Steel Print lead time: 5Days Aluminum Alloy 6061 Aluminum Alloy 6061 Print lead time: 5Days Aluminum Alloy AlSi10Mg Aluminum Alloy AlSi10Mg Print lead time: 5Days Titanium Alloy Series Titanium Alloy Series Print lead time: 7Days Titanium Alloy Ti₆Al₄V Titanium Alloy Ti₆Al₄V Print lead time: 7Days

Resin | SLA

Castable Photopolymer Resin Castable Photopolymer Resin Print lead time: 72Hours High-detail Resin White High-detail Resin White Print lead time: 72Hours High-temp Resin Red High-temp Resin Red Print lead time: 4Days High-Temp Resistant Resin Red High-Temp Resistant Resin Red Print lead time: 4Days Nylon-like Resin TuS Nylon-like Resin TuS Print lead time: 72Hours Premium Clear Resin Premium Clear Resin Print lead time: 72Hours Resin Black Resin Black Print lead time: 72Hours Resin White Resin White Print lead time: 72Hours Standard Resin Black Standard Resin Black Print lead time: 48Hours Standard Resin White Standard Resin White Print lead time: 48Hours Tough Resin White Tough Resin White Print lead time: 48Hours Ultra-Tough Resin Black Ultra-Tough Resin Black Print lead time: 72Hours Ultra-Tough Resin Blue Ultra-Tough Resin Blue Print lead time: 72Hours Ultra-Tough Resin White Ultra-Tough Resin White Print lead time: 72Hours
Upload a CAD file Create a project Talk to an engineer Browse materials

Electroplating questions

Answers that apply to Electroplating on AIHFABS 3D Plus hardware — materials, size change, and how to order it with the print.

What is Electroplating on a 3D printed part?

Electroplating involves depositing a thin layer of metal onto the surface of a 3D printed part through an electrochemical process. Electroplating enhances the surface finish of the as-printed parts, improving durability, conductivity, corrosion protection and aesthetics. It can coat complex geometries uniformly and is compatible with a wide range of base materials, with the potential to use different plated metals such as gold, silver, nickel, copper and brass.

Which printed materials can take Electroplating?

Electroplating is a color or optical finish. SLS and MJF nylon take dye; resins take paint, primer, frosting, and clear coats; aluminum and other metals take anodizing, plating, or e-coat. The quoter only offers Electroplating when the selected material can accept it.

Does Electroplating change dimensions or hide layer lines?

Paint, plating, and e-coat add a thin film. Dye soaks into nylon with little build-up. Frosting and clear coats change how light hits the surface more than the CAD size. Call out fits and optical faces in the quote notes so they can be masked.

Is Electroplating only for aluminum?

Anodizing is for aluminum alloys. Electroplating can go on several conductive metals and some plated plastics after a conductive coat. Tell us the print alloy so we can confirm Electroplating.

How do I add Electroplating to a quote?

Upload the CAD file, choose a print process and material, then turn on Electroplating. Price and lead time update on the same order. If the automatic quote cannot apply it, request a manual quotation and note fits or color codes.



Your one-stop shop for 3D printing services

AIHFABS connects customers with trusted 3D printing suppliers, materials, and services.

Contact Us

Email: support@aihfabs.com
WhatsApp: +86 15820480770
Office Address:

Room 2502C, 25/F, 148 Electric Road, North Point, Hong Kong

Logistics Warehouse:

Room 316, Entrepreneurship Building, Building E, Longcheng Industrial Park, Huanggekeng Community, Longcheng Street, Longgang District, Shenzhen, China

Language

Copyright © 2026 AIHFABS Limited. All rights reserved.
Cookie Policy

We use cookies to personalize your experience. By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Accept