Powder Coating and Small Details

March 9, 2024

Whether it's serial numbers, part identifiers, warning messages, assembly indicators, a company logo, or some other small detail, you probably don't want powder coating to hide it. Choosing a company with extensive powder coating experience can ensure a coating formulation and application that keep these important parts of your product easily visible while providing the protection and appearance you want.

Is Powder Coating Suitable for Products with Small Details?

The short answer is yes, powder coating is absolutely appropriate for coating items where small details must be preserved. Engraved or raised markings or details will be unaffected by most plastic coatings, but because different coating techniques typically produce coatings of varying thickness, the application method may be a factor.


  • Electrostatic spray coating offers the thinnest coatings, typically in the range of 0.001" to 0.010", with some applications as thick as 0.3".
  • Fluidized bed applications are a bit thicker, generally 0.007" to 0.025", and may obscure details with very minor differences in depth or height.
  • Dip coatings, such as plastisol, are most likely to cover over any small details, with hot-dip coatings ranging in thickness between 1/16" and 1/4"


Areas can also be masked through the coating and curing processes to prevent them from being coated, allowing any markings there to remain entirely unaffected.

Techniques for Adding Small Details After Powder Coating

In cases where a protective plastic coating must be complete but details may be obscured, we offer a variety of secondary services, including:


  • Pad Transfer Printing - best for uneven shapes
  • Hot Stamping - best for flat surfaces
  • Silk Screening - commonly used for larger printing


At Precision Dip Coating, we have the experience and knowledge to ensure your project is completed to meet or exceed your requirements. Contact us today to take advantage of our many years of dip and powder coating expertise.

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