If you are specifying a pedestal sink, the finish is one of the few things a guest actually notices — and one of the easiest things to get wrong. With artificial stone (solid surface), the rules are different from ceramic or painted metal. This guide explains how the finish is made, what is standard, and how custom color works, so you can write a spec that the factory can actually deliver.
Why solid surface finish behaves differently
Solid surface — often called artificial stone — is a homogeneous composite: mineral filler bound with resin, cast in a mould. The defining property is that the color and texture run all the way through the part. There is no separate glaze sitting on top of a different body.
That single fact changes three things for a buyer:
- The finish is integral. A matte or textured face is cast into the mould, not sprayed on afterward. Nothing delaminates.
- The color is consistent. A scratch reveals the same material underneath, which is why it can be repaired (see our guide on total cost of ownership).
- Custom color is a pigment change, not a new product. Because the whole body is one material, recoloring an existing mould is far simpler than it would be for a glazed or enamelled part.
Our basins are non-ceramic sanitary ware made from solid surface, under the Chinese industry standard JC/T 2116-2012. We hold reserved casting capacity at a partner facility in Guangdong, China, with our own QC team on site.
Matte vs gloss
Most artificial stone pedestal sinks ship in one of two surface sheens:
| Finish | Look | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Matte | Soft, low-reflection, reads as natural stone | Water marks and fingerprints are less visible between cleanings — common in commercial washrooms |
| Gloss | Brighter, more reflective | Easier to spot a smear; reads more formal |
Neither is "better." Matte hides wear in high-traffic rooms; gloss photographs better in a showroom. Specify the sheen the room will actually live in, not the one that looks best for a day.
Textured and fluted faces
Vertical fluting — evenly spaced grooves cast into the front face — is the most requested texture in current commercial specifications. Because it is cast into the mould, it is part of the part. On a high-traffic basin, keep flute depth in a cleanable range; very deep or irregular grooves trap residue.
Our in-stock range spans whites and warm neutrals, with both matte and fluted options available by model. Browse the current finishes on the product pages for what is in stock today.
Custom color: how it actually works
We can recolour any in-stock model on its existing mould to a reference you provide, with a per-project colour uplift. The key constraints:
- Color change only. The size, basin depth, and tooling stay exactly as the existing mould defines them.
- No custom sizes, no new moulds. We do not run bespoke dimensions or OEM/ODM tooling.
- Match to a reference. Send a physical sample or a standard color reference; we match on the existing mould rather than engineering a new one.
This model keeps lead time short and consistency high across reorders, because every unit comes off the same mould.
How to specify finish in a bid
When you write the spec, name three things and leave the rest to the supplier's standard:
- Sheen — matte or gloss.
- Texture — smooth or fluted (by model).
- Color — a stock finish, or a custom reference with the recolour uplift noted.
Avoid writing "any color" without a reference; a color without a sample is a dispute waiting to happen. A named reference turns a subjective finish into a checkable line item.
Care note
Solid surface is non-porous and cleans with mild detergent and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive powders and steel wool — they create the micro-scratches you would otherwise never see. For routine care, the same approach you use on a cultured marble top applies here.
The finish you choose is the longest-lived visible decision on the basin. Get the sheen, texture, and color reference down in writing, and the rest of the order becomes a repeatable line item rather than a guessing game.