How to Confirm Stainless Steel Finishes and Colours for Custom Metalwork

“Gold stainless steel” is a useful starting point for a custom metalwork enquiry. To turn that preference into a clear manufacturing requirement, the surface finish, texture and colour need to be discussed together.

A gold-coloured surface with a directional grain can look quite different from a reflective mirror surface. The appearance also changes with lighting, viewing angle and the condition of the underlying surface.

A clear finish reference helps the client and manufacturer work towards the same visual result.

Describe the finish, texture and colour separately

When describing the appearance you want, consider three aspects:

• Surface finish: the overall surface treatment or appearance, such as hairline, mirror or bead blasted.
• Texture or pattern: the visible grain, directional lines or decorative pattern.
• Colour: the intended shade, such as natural stainless steel, champagne gold, bronze or black.

These descriptions can overlap, but recording each aspect helps make the request more precise. For example, a champagne gold hairline surface communicates more than “gold stainless steel” alone.

Example finish brief

Preferred appearance: champagne gold hairline.
Grain direction: vertical when installed.
Finished faces: both visible sides of the partition.

Polished stainless steel finishes can have different levels of reflectivity, as described in the SSINA architectural handbook.

At FABRITERA, finish terminology is agreed with the client. Terms such as “mirror” and “8K” are clarified when preparing the specification and are not automatically treated as interchangeable.

The objective is to agree on the intended appearance and the reference used to confirm it.

Explain what you like about a reference image

A photograph or rendering can help communicate the visual direction. It becomes more useful when you explain which details matter.

Are you referring to the colour, the reflection, the grain or the overall pattern? Should the same appearance apply to the whole product, or only to selected parts?

Images can look different because of lighting, camera settings, editing and screen display. Use them to begin the discussion, then identify the agreed finish and colour reference before production.

You can also choose a reference from the FABRITERA Surface Finishes library. Include its reference code in your enquiry so the intended selection is clear. These codes identify selection references; the product’s dimensions, material and fabrication requirements are confirmed separately.

Consider grain direction and visible surfaces

For a directional finish such as hairline, the orientation of the grain can be part of the design.

If a particular direction matters, mark it on the drawing relative to the product’s installed position. For products with several visible panels or components, indicate how you want the direction to relate across those parts.

It is also helpful to identify which faces will be visible. A product viewed from both sides may need a different finish brief from one with a concealed rear face.

These details give the manufacturer a clearer basis for reviewing the fabrication and finishing requirements.

When a physical sample helps with colour matching

A physical sample can be particularly useful when new metalwork needs to coordinate with an existing surface or an approved project sample.

FABRITERA can use a customer-supplied physical sample as a reference for PVD colour matching. The finish and colour are confirmed against the agreed reference before production.

For more on surface preparation and coating a fabricated component, see how the PVD process works.

You can begin an enquiry with photographs or a selected finish reference. A physical sample becomes useful when the project requires closer comparison with an existing appearance.

When reviewing samples, consider the lighting and viewing conditions relevant to the project. The same surface may appear different when the light or viewing angle changes.

Connect the finish choice to the actual product

The finish discussion should include the product it will be applied to.

A decorative screen, wall feature and display structure may have different shapes, exposed edges and visible faces. Providing the drawing or product reference helps FABRITERA review the selected appearance alongside the manufacturing details.

Also share the intended location and any known environmental requirements. Material grade, thickness and suitability for the application need their own project confirmation; a finish name or colour does not define them.

What to send for a finish discussion

You do not need a complete specification to start. The following information gives the discussion a useful foundation:

• A product drawing, rendering or reference image.
• Approximate dimensions and quantity.
• A preferred finish reference or photographs showing the intended appearance.
• The parts and visible faces that should receive each finish.
• Any required grain direction or colour coordination.
• A physical sample, if available, when matching an existing surface.

Before production, the final appearance is confirmed against the agreed finish and colour reference.

To discuss a finish for your custom metalwork, send FABRITERA your project details, including any selected surface reference codes.