How to specify glitter size, shape and finish

Start with the finished effect

Describe where the glitter will be seen and how it will be applied. A dense, even shimmer on printed packaging is a different brief from individually visible particles inside a clear casting. Provide a physical reference where possible, plus photographs under ordinary lighting. Include the base color, viewing distance and whether the glitter will sit on a surface or inside a transparent material. These details give the supplier a practical target before a color code is selected.

Use dimensions rather than informal size names

Ask for particle dimensions in millimeters or micrometers, with the measurement convention clearly stated. For example, 0.1 mm equals 100 μm; this is a unit conversion, not a claim about an available product. For a hexagon, establish whether the quoted dimension is measured across flats or corners. For a rectangle, record both length and width. Film thickness is a separate measurement and should not be confused with the particle’s visible size.

• Record the nominal cut size and the supplier’s stated tolerance.
• Confirm particle shape, thickness and any mixed-size distribution.
• Ask how oversize particles and fines are checked for the selected grade.

Separate color from optical finish

A silver color reference does not fully describe its appearance. Metallic, holographic, iridescent and color-shifting effects should be reviewed as separate visual decisions. Compare samples on the intended substrate and, where relevant, under a clear topcoat. Photograph the same sample from more than one angle, keeping lighting and camera settings consistent. A digital swatch is useful for shortlisting; the approved physical sample should control the order.

Let the application limit the particle choice

Before selecting a larger particle, check the equipment and finish requirements. A printing screen, dispensing tip or coating gap may constrain the usable geometry. A smooth-touch finish may require a different trial from a deliberately textured surface. Ask the production team to review a sample in the actual process. Avoid selecting dimensions from a photograph alone, because a close-up image does not communicate scale or the behavior of a particle in a binder.

Build a small comparison set

For an efficient trial, vary one factor at a time. Compare two sizes in the same color and finish, or compare two finishes at the same size. Label each panel with the material code, batch, loading, binder and preparation method. Record the appearance before and after the relevant cure or drying step. Keep the accepted panel together with a sealed loose-material sample so future discussions have both a visual and a material reference.

Make the specification ready for a quotation

Send the selected reference with the intended application, destination market, requested quantity and packaging format. Ask the supplier to identify which details are standard and which require development. If a tolerance, thickness or test method is not available, leave it as an open item rather than silently assuming a value. A quotation becomes useful when both parties can identify the exact material being priced and the checks that will determine acceptance.