Material
Materials and textures guide
Material is what makes an object believable: the shine of metal, the transparency of glass, the grain of wood. An image tool without guidance usually gives generic surfaces, neither one thing nor another.
Naming the material, and its finish if needed, greatly improves product, packaging, interiors and brand scenes.
Metal, glass and plastic
These are the materials that depend most on light: chrome and glass reflect everything around them, so pair them with controlled studio light. Matte or glossy plastic completely changes the sense of quality.
/ChromePolished chrome finish
Gives the surface a polished, highly reflective chrome finish.
/••••••••Brushed metal texture
Applies the fine linear texture of brushed metal.
/••••••••Gold foil stamping
Adds a metallic gold foil stamping on the surface.
/••••••••Clear glass material
Applies a transparent glass material…
/••••••••Frosted glass material
Applies the translucent, matte finish of frosted glass.
/••••••••Glossy plastic finish
Gives the surface a glossy, highly reflective plastic finish.
Stone, wood and paper
Natural materials add warmth and craft. Marble is the luxury classic, wood signals approachable and sustainable, paper and cardboard honest packaging.
/••••••••Polished marble
Applies the veining and polished finish characteristic of marble.
/••••••••Raw concrete surface
Applies the rough, raw texture of exposed concrete.
/••••••••Glazed ceramic
Applies the smooth, glazed finish of ceramic.
/••••••••Natural wood grain
Applies the grain and natural color of wood.
/••••••••Visible paper texture
Leaves the fibrous texture of paper visible on the surface.
/••••••••Cardboard material
Applies the corrugated, matte texture of cardboard.
Textiles and finishes
Textiles give the image touch: velvet, silk, knit, denim. Finishes (embossing, engraving, patina) are the details that set a premium product apart from an ordinary one.
/VelvetVelvet fabric finish
Applies the deep, plush finish of velvet.
/••••••••Silk fabric sheen
Applies the soft sheen and fluid drape characteristic of silk.
/••••••••Knitted Object
Renders the subject as knitted yarn or textile…
/••••••••Denim textile texture
Applies the woven texture and characteristic color of denim.
/••••••••Embossed raised details
Adds raised embossed details on the surface.
/••••••••Aged patina finish
Applies an aged patinated finish with oxidised colour shifts…
Common mistakes
- Asking for a reflective material without specifying the light: reflections come out chaotic.
- Mixing too many materials in a single object.
- Forgetting the material in packaging: the label seems to float on a textureless shape.
Example combination
Brushed metal with controlled studio light.
Composition (Pro code: with Pro you see which one it is and can copy the combination)"Wristwatch on a stone slab" Lighting (Pro code: with Pro you see which one it is and can copy the combination) Material (Pro code: with Pro you see which one it is and can copy the combination) Product (Pro code: with Pro you see which one it is and can copy the combination)-1:1 -no text