At Gelatin Digital, we use Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) to manufacture durable, lightweight components for professional use. This method allows us to create strong, precise parts with minimal material waste—making it a sustainable alternative to injection molding or CNC machining for small-batch production.

SLS printing, however, can ocasionally result in surface variation from print to print. Rather than discard prints with minor imperfections, we apply a thoughtful quality and environmental policy that ensures every unit we ship is functional, long-lasting, and responsibly made.

How We Classify Prints

Each print is carefully inspected and classified into one of three categories:

🟢 GREEN — Standard / Excellent

• Clean cosmetic finish.

• No visible flaws when mounted or in use.

• Meets both our functional and visual quality standards.

• These make up the majority of the products we ship.

🟡 YELLOW — Functionally Perfect / Cosmetically Imperfect

• May have light surface marks or mild texture irregularities.

• Imperfections are either:

  • Not visible once the product is mounted, or

  • So subtle they don't warrant scrapping the part.

• Durability, function, and fit are unaffected.

• These units are approved to avoid unnecessary waste and energy consumption.

• Roughly 1 in 20 prints.

🔴 RED — Rejected

• Clearly visible flaws, such as rough pitting, layer separation, or warping.

• May impact function, precision, or long-term use.

• These are immediately recycled and never shipped.

Why We Accept Minor Cosmetic Variation

Our goal is to produce parts that work reliably in demanding professional settings, not to mimic injection-molded perfection. Prioritizing sustainability means avoiding the waste that comes from discarding prints with minor visual imperfections.

We believe in honest design: if a part works perfectly and the imperfection is invisible or negligible in use, it shouldn’t be thrown away.

What You Can Expect

Every Gelatin Digital product has:

• Been inspected and tested for mechanical fit and durability.

• Passed our functional and visual tolerance standards.

• Been made with minimal waste.

If you’re unsure whether a cosmetic detail is acceptable or have concerns about your order, we’re always happy to help clarify.