There are several differences between satin and matte acrylic paint, including sheen, durability, and price. When it comes to creating a piece of art on canvas (or any other surface), the finish can make or break the painting.
While the right finish can keep your painting true to what you wanted it to look like in the first place, the wrong finish can change the texture and feel of a painting. There are advantages and disadvantages to both satin and matte acrylic paints, and we will be discussing those advantages in this article.
We will also be looking at the differences between these two paint finishes. If you want to learn more about these differences, keep reading.
Satin vs Matte Acrylic Paint Comparison
| Factors | Satin Acrylic Paint | Matte Acrylic Paint |
|---|---|---|
| Price | More costly than matte but not as costly as glossy | One of the least expensive types of acrylic paint |
| Durability | A satin finish will make a painting much more durable | A matte finish isn’t as durable as a satin finish |
| Shows Imperfections | Yes | Sometimes |
| Fix mistakes | Most imperfections and repairs will show up | Easy to fix mistakes without them being too noticeable |
What is Satin Acrylic Paint?
A satin finish is what many people refer to as medium gloss. It’s not super-shiny, but it isn’t dull either. It’s just right in between the two.
Satin acrylic paint has a pearl-like sheen once it has dried. It has a silky appearance and feels almost like velvet when you touch it.
Yes, it is somewhat shiny, but not as shiny as gloss or semi-gloss. This is a great type of paint for artwork that will hang in rooms where there isn’t enough lighting. The downside is that imperfections will show up more than they would with other sheens.
Satin Acrylic Paint Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very durable
- Easy to clean
- Resistant to moisture
Cons
- Emphasizes imperfections
- Matte paint is much easier to use
- Can cost more than matte paint
What is Matte Paint?
Matte paint has very little sheen, so it reflects very little light. In fact, you may not even notice a sheen at all unless the surface of a painting has some texture, that’s how little light it reflects.
While matte paint may not have much in the way of sheen, it more than makes up for that with a large amount of paint pigment. The colors are usually truer, and you will need to use fewer coats when painting.
If you like a lot of color contrast in your artwork, you may want to choose matte acrylic paint. Sometimes you can’t notice a lot of color contrast when you are using satin or glossy acrylic paint.
Matte paint is ideal for painting with darker colors. This is because dark colors minimize the amount of reflection in the first place.
If you are going to be displaying your art at a gallery, a matte finish is likely going to be the best choice. It is also a favorite for many galleries because it resists a lot of lighting. People will be able to notice every little detail in your art even if the lighting in the gallery is harsh.
Matte Acrylic Paint Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to apply to a canvas or other surface
- Lots of coverage
- Easy to fix mistakes
- Hides imperfections
- Costs less than satin paint
Cons
- Not as durable as satin or glossy paint
- Harder to clean
- Not as water-resistant as other types of acrylic paint
The Differences Between Satin and Matte Acrylic Paints
There are a few differences between satin and matte acrylic paint that you need to know about. When it comes to the actual finish, it all boils down to what the artist prefers. Satin reflects light so the colors pop, but matte makes darker colors stand out even more.
If you are painting an item that is going to be used outdoors, your best option is to use satin acrylic paint. This type of paint is more durable, so your art will last a lot longer than it would if you were using matte acrylic paint.
Matte or Satin Acrylic Paint: Which is Better?
When it comes to deciding which is better, matte or satin paint, there is no easy answer. In the end, it will all come down to what you like and how you want your paintings to look.
Matte paint tends to offer a more natural look, while a painting created with gloss paint has a much more professional appearance. But, matte point has one major advantage, and this is that it can hide a lot of imperfections. This may be one reason why beginner painters prefer to use matte acrylic paint instead of satin or glossy.
Neither of these paints is better than the other. It all comes down to your personal preference and what you want your paintings to look like.
When choosing between matte and satin acrylic paint, think about the sheen of the paint and how it will affect the look of your painting. Another consideration is durability, as satin paint is much more durable than matte paint, especially when it comes to wall paint.
Matte paint tends to hide imperfections whereas satin paint will highlight them. Matte paint may appear to have a chalky or flat appearance, while satin paint offers more depth for vibrant colors.
Another consideration is your budget. If you are on a tight budget, you will want to choose the least expensive paint. In most cases, this is going to be matte acrylic paint.
All in all, satin acrylic paint is better than matte when it comes to appearance (in some cases), how easy it is to clean up, and durability. But, as I already mentioned, the biggest factor is your personal preference.
Conclusion
If you are a beginner, don’t worry about the sheen of your paint finish. For the time being, concentrate on learning techniques that will help you to become a better painter.
Once you have mastered some of these techniques, or at least know how to use them in your paintings, then you can start looking at the various sheens of paint.
I tend to go for paint that is either satin or somewhat glossy. I like my paintings to shine. But, this isn’t for everyone, and you may end up preferring matte because you don’t want your paintings to shine or have them reflect too much light.
Experiment with the different paint sheens, and you will likely find that you use matte for some paintings and satin for others.
Sari Green is a semi-professional artist and professional writer. She has been hosting paint & sip parties for the past couple of years, and truly enjoys helping other people to create their very own masterpieces. She loves to create, and you never know what she’s going to come up with next!