Gloss in plastics
Last update on Sep 10, 2025
Selecting the appropriate gloss level is crucial for plastic manufacturers as it directly impacts consumer perception of product quality, with high-gloss finishes often associated with premium items, while matte surfaces convey durability and sophistication.
From a functional perspective, gloss affects practical attributes including cleanability, UV resistance, and visibility of surface imperfections, all of which influence product performance and longevity.
In this guide, you will understand how to achieve the desired gloss levels for your end applications.
Definition of gloss
Gloss is one of the important optical properties associated with plastics surface especially in industries such as automotive, packaging films, etc. The gloss is defined as the capacity of the polymer surface to reflect light in a given direction.
Gloss characterizes how reflective or 'shiny' a plastic material. This means how much of a light beam touching the material with a define incident angle is reflected vs. a standard material (a black specimen with a defined refractive index = 100). This property is strongly dependent on the surface aspect of the tested specimen.
A high gloss will produce a sharp image of any light source and thus will give rise to a pleasing sparkle on the surface.
Materials having a high Gloss are very smooth and highly reflective
Gloss is expressed in terms of percent (%). It is determined by a device that measures the percentage of light, incident at an angle (usually 45°) to the surface of the film, that is reflected at the same angle.
- Gloss can be inherent in the material
- It can also be a result of the molding process or surface texture
Gloss can also be affected by environmental factors such as weathering or surface abrasion. Thus, gloss can be useful in product development, process development, and end-use performance testing.
What are Standards to Determine Gloss?
A glossmeter (also gloss meter) is an instrument which is used to measure the specular reflection (gloss) of a surface. It is an instrument having an incandescent light source and a photosensitive receptor that responds to visible light. However, the instrument is not sensitive to other common effects which reduce appearance quality such as haze and orange peel.
Many international technical standards are available that define the method of use and specifications for different types of glossmeter used on various types of materials.
The common standard methods to measure the gloss of plastic materials are ASTM D523 and ASTM D2457.
ASTM D523 - Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss
Measurements by this test method correlate with visual observations of surface shininess made at roughly the corresponding angles.
Measured gloss ratings by this test method are obtained by comparing the specular reflectance from the specimen to that from a black glass standard. Since specular reflectance depends also on the surface refractive index of the specimen, the measured gloss ratings change as the surface refractive index changes.
ASTM D2457 - Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss of Plastic Films and Solid Plastics
This test method describes procedures for the measurement of gloss of plastic films and solid plastics, both opaque and transparent. It contains separate gloss angles:
- 60°, recommended for intermediate-gloss films
- 20°, recommended for high-gloss films
- 45°, recommended for intermediate and low-gloss films
- 85°, recommended for intermediate and low gloss films
- 75°, recommended for plastic siding and soffit
Gloss Percentage Values of Several Plastics
Click to find the polymer you are looking for:
| Polymer Name | Min Value (%) | Max Value (%) |
| ABS - Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | 40.00 | 96.0 |
| ABS Flame Retardant | 55.0 | 55.0 |
| ABS High Heat | 40.0 | 95.0 |
| ABS High Impact | 87.0 | 92.0 |
| ECTFE - Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene | 90.0 | 90.0 |
| EVA - Ethylene Vinyl Acetate | 17.0 | 123.0 |
| EVOH - Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol | 85.0 | 95.0 |
| HDPE - High Density Polyethylene | 5.0 | 120.0 |
| HIPS - High Impact Polystyrene | 15.0 | 96.0 |
| Ionomer (Ethylene-Methyl Acrylate Copolymer) | 20.0 | 104.0 |
| LDPE - Low Density Polyethylene | 35.0 | 97.0 |
| LLDPE - Linear Low Density Polyethylene | 32.0 | 85.0 |
| PA 6 - Polyamide 6 | 130.0 | 145.0 |
| PA 66 - Polyamide 6-6 | 65.0 | 150.0 |
| PET - Polyethylene Terephthalate | 105.0 | 200.0 |
| PETG - Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol | 171.0 | 171.0 |
| PLA - Polylactide, Heat Seal Layer | 89.0 | 91.0 |
| PLA, High Heat Films | 89.0 | 91.0 |
| PMMA (Acrylic) Impact Modified | 125.0 | 125.0 |
| PP, 10-40% Mineral Filled | 70.0 | 72.0 |
| PP (Polypropylene) Copolymer | 80.0 | 80.0 |
| PP (Polypropylene) Homopolymer | 75.0 | 90.0 |