We can offer three different finishes for slate products, such as coasters and platters. To help you choose, please read the description below and look at the images to see what difference each option makes. By default we use the Matt finish, as we think it is the best balance of protection and visibility of design.
Unfinished – here the slate is left as it is after engraving with the design; no coating is added. This generally gives a more natural look, with a grey slate background. Black areas look grey and there is very little reflection of light. The item may absorb liquids spilled onto it.
Matt – our default option has a matt coating added. Black areas look blacker and the images, especially ones based on photographs, tend to look better, with more contrast. There is some reflecting of light, but generally images can be seen from most angles. The coating protects the item from spillages.
Gloss – a gloss coating is added to the slate; the item will have a noticeable shine. This produces even deeper blacks than the matt coating with somewhat improved contrast, but it does mean that there can be quite a lot of light reflection; you may find the image difficult to see at some angles in some lighting conditions. The coating protects the item from spillages.
Below are two images showing the three finishes in different lighting conditions. In both cases the unfinished is on the top left, matt is top right and the gloss is at the bottom. The second image shows some of the shine effect of the gloss, though not at its worst.
