This wand was printed with magic.
Well… not real magic — three different types of PLA filament. And that alone completely changes how it looks.
Using the same modular wand model from Loot Studios, printed on the same printer with the same settings, we tested regular PLA, silk PLA, and matte PLA to see how much filament finish affects the final result. Spoiler: it matters a lot more than most people think.
If you’ve ever printed a part that was technically perfect but just didn’t look right, this is probably why.
Why Filament Finish Matters More Than You Think
Most people choose filament based on color or strength, but finish controls how light interacts with your print — and that directly affects how detailed, clean, and “professional” it looks.
Whether you’re printing:
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Props
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Display pieces
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Desk decor
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Or just want your prints to pop
The filament finish can make or break the final result.
Let’s break it down.
Regular PLA: The Baseline
Regular PLA is the standard for a reason.
It’s smooth, slightly glossy, and extremely predictable. The surface has a mild sheen, layers are visible but clean, and edges stay crisp. Light reflects evenly without overpowering details.
What it’s good at:
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Clean, consistent results
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Minimal stringing
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Good dimensional accuracy
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Forgiving cooling behavior
If you’re new to 3D printing, regular PLA is the easiest to dial in and the most reliable all-around filament.
Silk PLA: Maximum Shine, Maximum Attention
Silk PLA is all about visual flair.
It reflects light beautifully and gives prints a satin or metallic shine that looks incredible on camera and under good lighting. On the wand, silk PLA immediately stood out — it looked dramatic, polished, and almost enchanted.
But silk PLA needs more attention when printing.
What to watch for:
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Too much cooling can dull the shine
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Too little cooling can cause blobs
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Lower print speeds improve surface smoothness
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Retraction needs to be tuned to avoid stringing
Silk PLA is best for display pieces where visual impact matters more than fine texture accuracy.
Matte PLA: Low Shine, High Detail
Matte PLA goes in the opposite direction of silk.
Instead of reflecting light, it diffuses it, creating a soft, velvety surface with almost no glare. This makes shapes, edges, and fine details stand out more clearly — especially on organic or sculpted models like this wand.
Why matte PLA works so well for props:
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No shine, no glare
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Sharper-looking edges
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Smoother-looking curves
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Details don’t get washed out by reflections
Matte PLA is excellent for props, cosplay pieces, and display models where you want the shape and texture to do the talking.
Slightly slower print speeds help keep surfaces even, but overall it prints very similarly to regular PLA. Bonus: some matte PLAs (like Sunlu Matte PLA) already have built-in profiles in Bambu Studio, which makes setup easy.
Side-by-Side Visual Comparison
Using the same wand model:
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Regular PLA sits in the middle — balanced shine and detail
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Silk PLA has strong highlights and reflective light play
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Matte PLA looks soft, uniform, and glare-free
The only thing that changed was the filament — and the visual difference is huge.
This is where you really see how light reflection changes perceived detail.
Which PLA Should You Use?
Here’s the quick breakdown:
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Regular PLA
Best for general-purpose prints, prototypes, and easy tuning
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Silk PLA
Best for high-impact display pieces where shine matters
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Matte PLA
Best for props, cosplay, and low-gloss prints where detail is king
There’s no “best” PLA — only the right one for the job.
🔗 Gear Used (Some Affilate Links) –
Filaments used
Sunlu Black/Blue Matte PLA - https://amzn.to/4rclBpo
Amolen Silk PLA – Solid Color (White) - https://amzn.to/3Zc1rPY
Chitu Systems Conjure Silk PLA - https://amzn.to/3ZsSQZi
Sunlu Black PLA - https://amzn.to/4tt6IjW
– Printer & accessories - https://amzn.to/46wqzVz
– Loot Studios wand model - https://lootstudios.com/
Final Thoughts
Three PLAs. Same model. Same printer.
Completely different results.
Silk for shine.
Matte for low gloss.
Regular PLA for everything else.
If you care about how your prints look, filament finish deserves just as much attention as layer height or infill.
And remember — the best filament isn’t the shiniest one.
It’s the one that makes your design do the talking.