--- title: "Learn Vapor Smoothing: Guides and Explainers | AMT PostPro" description: "Explainers, comparisons and data on vapor smoothing: what it is, how it compares, a glossary, and guides by printing process and by material." canonical: https://amtechnologies.com/learn/ updated: 2026-10-07 type: learn --- Learn # Learn vapor smoothing. Explainers, comparisons and data on vapor smoothing and the finishing of 3D printed and machined plastic parts, written by AMT: The originals of automated vapor smoothing[1]. Start with [what vapor smoothing is](https://amtechnologies.com/learn/what-is-vapor-smoothing/), or go straight to your printer or material. [Test your parts, free](https://benchmarking.amtechnologies.com/submit?utm_source=amtechnologies.com&utm_medium=learn-page&utm_campaign=site-2026&utm_content=learn-learn-hub) [What is vapor smoothing?](https://amtechnologies.com/learn/what-is-vapor-smoothing/) No cost to evaluate · Parts returned · Typical turnaround 2–3 weeks[2] Diagram · The four stages of a PostPro cycle.[3] Schematic. Start here ## The basics, explained. What the process is, how it compares, and the words around it. - Explainer ### [What is vapor smoothing?](https://amtechnologies.com/learn/what-is-vapor-smoothing/) How it works, what it does to a part, and where it came from. - Comparison ### [Vapor smoothing vs other finishes](https://amtechnologies.com/learn/vapor-smoothing-vs-other-finishing-methods/) Media finishing, tumbling, sanding, dyeing and coating, side by side. - Reference ### [Glossary](https://amtechnologies.com/learn/glossary/) From Ra to vapor honing, in plain words. - Guide ### [How to smooth 3D prints](https://amtechnologies.com/learn/how-to-smooth-3d-prints/) Every way to smooth a print, from sanding to vapor smoothing. By printing process ## Vapor smoothing on your printer. What vapor smoothing does on each printing process, with the published results and materials for it. - HP Powder bed ### [MJF](https://amtechnologies.com/learn/mjf-vapor-smoothing/) Multi Jet Fusion parts in PA12, PA11, TPU and PP. - Laser Powder bed ### [SLS](https://amtechnologies.com/learn/sls-vapor-smoothing/) Selective laser sintered nylon and PP. - Infrared Powder bed ### [SAF and HSS](https://amtechnologies.com/learn/saf-hss-vapor-smoothing/) Selective Absorption Fusion and High Speed Sintering. - Extrusion Industrial ### [FDM](https://amtechnologies.com/learn/fdm-vapor-smoothing/) ULTEM, Onyx and the FA326 plastics. By material ## Vapor smoothing your material. Results, agents and case studies for each material. - Nylon ### [PA12](https://amtechnologies.com/materials/pa12/) Dimensional, strength and sealing results. - Nylon ### [PA11](https://amtechnologies.com/materials/pa11/) Food-contact validation on DETECT PA11. - Elastomers ### [TPU and TPE](https://amtechnologies.com/materials/tpu/) Ultrasint TPU01 roughness and the GM seals. - Polyolefin ### [Polypropylene](https://amtechnologies.com/materials/polypropylene/) The dedicated FA9202 agent. - Machined ### [Machined plastics](https://amtechnologies.com/applications/vapor-polishing-machined-plastics/) Vapor polishing PC, PMMA, ABS, PSU, PEI and nylon. - All ### [Compatibility guide](https://amtechnologies.com/materials/) Every material by process and finishing agent. Proof and data ## The evidence behind it. Customer stories, technical whitepapers and the documents that back every number on this site. - Customers ### [Case studies](https://amtechnologies.com/resources/case-studies/) Published stories from production users of PostPro vapor smoothing. - Data ### [Whitepapers](https://amtechnologies.com/resources/whitepapers/) Test results by material and printer, with methods. - Community ### [Ask the community](https://amtechnologies.com/community/) Questions and tips from people who run PostPro systems. Next step ## See the price. Run the numbers. Hold the part. List prices are public and the cost-per-part math is yours to check, with no email needed for either. The free benchmark puts your own parts, vapor smoothed, in your hands. 1. 01 Quote ### Build your quote Pick a system and its options and get an itemized total on screen, from AMT’s published list prices. [Build your quote](https://amtechnologies.com/quote/) 2. 02 ROI ### Calculate your ROI Compare your cost per part with manual finishing, using your own labor rate and volumes. Every assumption is editable. [Calculate ROI](https://amtechnologies.com/roi/) 3. 03 Benchmark ### Test your parts, free Ship us your parts with a prepaid label. We vapor smooth them and send them back with before-and-after photos and a benchmark report. [Test your parts, free](https://benchmarking.amtechnologies.com/submit?utm_source=amtechnologies.com&utm_medium=learn-page&utm_campaign=site-2026&utm_content=learn-decision) No cost to evaluate · Parts returned · Typical turnaround 2–3 weeks[2] Prices: AMT list prices, excluding tax and shipping; confirmed in your formal quote. [Not sure which system? Help me choose](https://amtechnologies.com/configurator/) ## Sources 1. [AMT company statement: world's largest installed base of automated vapor smoothing systems; first automated vapor smoothing system for powder-bed parts (PostPro3D); largest patent portfolio in vapor smoothing](https://amtechnologies.com/about/) · AMT · Oct 6, 2026 2. [PostPro benchmarking: send us your 3D printed parts](https://benchmarking.amtechnologies.com/) · AMT · read Oct 6, 2026 3. [Vapor smoothing: SF and X-series family page and SFX, SF2X, SF50, SF100 product pages](https://amtechnologies.com/products/vapor-smoothing/) · AMT · read Oct 6, 2026 · also [AMT](https://amtechnologies.com/products/vapor-smoothing/postpro-sfx-desktop-vapor-smoothing-system/) · also [AMT](https://amtechnologies.com/products/vapor-smoothing/postpro-sf2x/) · also [AMT](https://amtechnologies.com/products/vapor-smoothing/postpro-sf50/) · also [AMT](https://amtechnologies.com/products/vapor-smoothing/postpro-sf100/)