Sputtering and PVD Coating: Choosing The Best Method
February 10, 2026 • Posted in Sputtering & Vapor Deposition
When looking to achieve a high-end look for your custom printed parts, advanced coatings can play an important role. These coatings, applied via “sputtering” or “physical vapor deposition” (PVD), are commonly used on decorative parts and machining tools for their high hardness, wear resistance, and cosmetic edge.
So what’s the difference between sputtering and PVD, and what can they be used to achieve?
At Sanwa, we’re experienced in using both methods to obtain a desired usability or look for our clients’ decorated parts. Our team can make recommendations based on applications (such as appliance or automotive use), environmental exposure (like UV or chemicals), or project budget.
If you’re looking to achieve a chrome-like look with parts that stand out for their aesthetic appeal and longevity, we’ve put together some information that may help when it comes to choosing the method that’s right for you.
What Is Sputtering?
Sputtering is a type of deposition method used to produce thin film coatings. In the sputtering process, the condensation of a targeted vaporized material is deposited onto a substrate surface. In other words, sputtering removes material from a source (like a metal or alloy), and transfers it to the surface of another object.
At Sanwa, we’ve used this method for creating long-lasting decorative parts in high-traffic or high-use environments, such as steering wheel emblems and other automotive decals. These parts are resistant to cracking, peeling, scratching and other signs of wear and tear.
Why Use Sputtering?
Sputtering offers strong adhesiveness, long life span, and the ability to pull target material from most metals and alloys. This means a plastic-printed part can achieve a truly metalized look for many years to come. One thing to remember, however, is that sputtering projects can have a comparatively higher cost than PVD coating, depending on the specifications, uses and desired outcomes.
Does the sputtering process use Hexavalent Chromium 6?
No. Sputtering uses metallic chromium to form durable coatings. Sputtering is not a wet chemical coating, but a dry, non-thermal process.
What Is PVD Coating?
PVD (physical vapor deposition) coating occurs on an atomic level in a vacuum chamber. During the coating, a solid material is vaporized in a vacuum and then embedded onto a part’s surface of a part. Often, a part will need to be specially positioned or rotated to achieve precise and full-coverage coating. In the process, the compound materials form a thin, bonded surface layer that can greatly improve the appearance, durability, or function of the decorated part.
While PVD coating also pulls target materials from metals (like the sputtering method), the selection is limited to those metals with lower melting points. However, if your project is flexible with material types, PVD can be an excellent choice when lower costs and quicker turnarounds are priorities.
Why Use PVD Coating?
PVD coating can be applied to a wide variety of substrates, including plastics, ceramics and even other metal materials. At Sanwa, we’re typically able to offer PVD at a higher speed and lower cost than most sputtering projects. Also, beyond the aesthetic benefits, PVD coating often results in higher wear resistance and surface hardness than non-coated parts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sputtering and PVD Coating
Does PVD coating use Hexavalent Chromium 6?
Similar to sputtering, PVD does not use that hazardous material.
What colors are possible with PVD coating and sputtering?
We have a rainbow of possibilities. Just ask, and our team will walk through the color-matching process with you.
How long does PVD coating last? How durable is it?
We perform scratch and mar tests for many of our customers, mimicking high-touch or high-use scenarios. In one of the scratch tests, 2N, 3N, 7N, 10N and 15N are applied to the part to confirm the resistance.
The life of a part can vary greatly depending on the exposure to the elements and usage. Sputtering and PVD coating both have a hard coat (or top coat) as the final layer to protect the color and design for the long-run.
Can you combine PVD coating with in-mold labeling (IML)?
Yes. For in-mold labeling, PVD coating improves the metallic brilliance. We also have different materials that can be used for PVD to allow touch capacitive buttons to work. PVD coating can be combined with other technologies as well, including fine expression silk printing (FESP), dead front (or hidden-until-lit) facing, and parts with anti-finger print and anti-gloss coatings.
What are some industries PVD coating and sputtering are used for?
We've delivered projects for automotive, appliance, medical, aviation, entertainment, and retail industries. You'll find these parts in everyday life, everywhere you look! From water bottles to luxury vehicles, these methods offer a durable and cost-effective way to achieve a metalized look for your product.
Choosing the Coating Method That’s Right For You
There’s no one coating method that’s the right choice for every part or application. PVD and sputtering can both be used on parts in the automotive, aerospace, appliance or medical supply industries. All types of coating offer their own benefits and challenges, and should be selected based on your unique requirements.
When you’re looking to create decorative emblems, badges or ornaments with specialized coatings, we can help with selecting the method that’s right for you. We’ll discuss your goals, applications, budget and larger-picture project to make sure we can recommend the best-fit coating method.
We have a long history of combining technology with design to meet common production challenges and create top-of-the-line parts for our customers. If you have questions, concerns, ideas or details you’d like to share, contact our Sanwa team. We specialize in combining our expertise and acquired technologies to problem-solve and deliver printing and coating solutions that our customers rave about.