What is the difference between 201, 304 and 316L decorative sheet?

We support full container shipments for regular stock sheets and coils. Our mainstream shipping specification is 25-27 tons per container, suitable for foreign trade wholesalers and engineering clients for bulk procurement. The minimum order quantity for regular stock is low, and the minimum order for custom plating colors, etching, and special processes can be discussed. We support trial order cooperation.

 Q2: How can I get an accurate quotation?

You can contact us directly and provide the material, thickness, width, surface treatment, color, quantity, and application scenario (indoor/outdoor/coastal). We will provide the corresponding optimal factory price and export container discount price based on the full container bulk standard.

 Q3: Do you support customers in customizing textures, colors, and sizes?

We support personalized customization: exclusive etched patterns, embossed textures, special PVD color adjustments, non-standard size leveling, slitting, and laser cutting. For special styles without existing molds, we can open molds for customization to meet high-end tooling, brand store, and artistic decoration needs.

 Q4: Can you provide samples?

We can provide free process samples and color cards; the customer only needs to bear the express shipping costs. The samples allow you to visually check the surface brightness, texture, color, and craftsmanship, making it easier for customers to confirm project effects.

 Q5: How do you handle quality issues after shipment?

If there are any workmanship or surface quality issues upon receipt of the goods, please provide photos or videos for verification, and we will be responsible for negotiating rework, reshipment, or compensation. Damage caused by transportation, installation, or human use is not covered under after-sales service.

8K Mirror Finish

Available as standard 8K and super-polished mirror. High gloss and high reflectivity with clear imaging. Mirror panels can be treated with an optional anti-fingerprint coating to effectively reduce fingerprints and water stains, lowering long‑term cleaning costs. Widely used in elevator cabs, feature walls, metal decorative elements, and display cases.

HL Hairline / NO.4 Brushed Finish

HL provides continuous long linear grain; NO.4 produces fine short filament texture. Both present a soft matte appearance. Brushed finishes conceal minor scratches from transport and installation and are highly durable—making them the most universally applied finish for commercial projects.

PVD Vacuum Ion Coating

Produced by vacuum coating technology. Color options include titanium gold, black titanium, rose gold, champagne gold, verdigris bronze, red bronze, coffee gold, etc. The coating has strong adhesion and resists fading. For indoor use, 304 stainless steel substrate is generally sufficient; for long‑term outdoor, coastal or high salt‑spray environments, we recommend 316L substrate for improved weather and corrosion resistance.

Chemical Etched Finish

Chemical etching is used to create lines, geometric patterns, brand logos or artistic motifs on the panel surface. Can be combined with brushed or mirror bases and overlaid with PVD for enhanced layering. Commonly used for high‑end elevator doors, artistic wall panels and signage. Patterns can be customized from client artwork.

Embossed Finish

Produces three‑dimensional raised and recessed textures such as water ripple, free‑flowing, diamond, pearl and square patterns. The embossed structure reduces the visual impact of scratches and typically offers better wear resistance than flat panels. Commonly used for ceilings, decorative partitions and façade elements.

Sand Blasted Finish

High‑pressure sandblasting creates a uniform, fine matte sand surface with low reflectivity and a restrained, premium texture that avoids glare. Widely used in high‑end hotels, clubs and premium office fit‑outs. Sandblasted panels can also be combined with PVD and anti‑fingerprint treatments.

Composite & Custom Processing

We also undertake composite custom work, for example: brushed base + PVD color + anti‑fingerprint integrated processing. If you have special textures, custom color codes or unique process requirements, please contact our sales team to request physical samples. Confirmed samples will be produced prior to mass production.

A: No. A proper nano AF coating is fully transparent, does not discolor or haze, and does not obscure mirror, brushed, sandblasted, or PVD‑colored finishes. The surface texture and gloss remain fully preserved; the coating only makes the surface cleaner, more uniform, and more stain‑resistant.

Q3: What are the core advantages of AF stainless steel?

Fingerprint and stain resistance: Touching does not leave obvious fingerprints or oil marks.
Water and stain repellency: Water beads and runs off quickly, reducing water spots and dark stains.
Improved wear and oxidation resistance: Helps resist minor abrasion and delays oxidation or discoloration.
Easy maintenance: Routine cleaning requires only water or a neutral cleaner, significantly lowering cleaning costs for projects.

Q4: Which applications are suitable for AF stainless steel?

A: Suitable for high‑end decoration, high‑touch, or high‑cleanliness environments, including hotel lobbies, feature walls, metal-clad columns, elevator cabins and doors, sales centers, malls and clubs, interior screens and partitions, kitchen and wardrobe door panels, etc. For coastal outdoor projects, use AF together with corrosion‑resistant materials for best results.

Q5: Can all stainless steel grades be treated with AF (201/304/316)?

A: Yes. 201, 304, and 316 stainless steel can all receive AF coatings.
Selection advice:

Indoor general projects: 304 + AF offers the best cost‑performance ratio.
High humidity, salt‑spray, coastal outdoor: 316 + AF provides double protection and better durability.
201 is suitable only for dry, low‑corrosion indoor environments; its corrosion resistance is lower.

If you have procurement needs for hotel decoration, elevator finishes, commercial fit‑out, coastal projects, or other stainless steel orders, contact us for free material selection advice, detailed quotations, and custom processing solutions. We support export packaging and ocean shipping to meet your one‑stop order requirements.

Q1: What are the main causes of scratches on stainless steel plates during sea transportation?

A: The primary causes of scratches on stainless steel plates during sea transportation are friction, pressure, and displacement, which can be categorized into four areas: First, there is insufficient isolation between the plates, causing repeated friction during turbulent sea conditions; second, if the packaging is not secured properly, it can lead to movement and collisions of the entire cargo within the container; third, if corner protection is not applied, impacts during loading and stacking can extend to the plate surface; finally, damaged outer packaging can allow seawater and sand to infiltrate, creating scratches. Compared to land transport, the prolonged bumpiness, high humidity, and enclosed environment of containers during sea transport are key factors for the prevalence of scratches.

Q2: What are the core packaging principles to prevent scratches on stainless steel plates during sea transport?

A: The following three core principles should be followed: layered protection, rigid fixation, and friction isolation. First, ensure that the plate surfaces are fully covered to prevent direct contact between plates; second, maintain a rigid packaging structure to limit the movement and shaking of individual plates and the entire cargo; finally, reinforce the corners and edges to reduce damage from impacts. Additionally, the outer packaging must be sealed to prevent dust and moisture, avoiding external contaminants that could cause wear.

Q3: What materials should be used for isolation between layers of stainless steel plates to achieve the best scratch prevention effect?

A: Select appropriate isolation materials based on the grade of the plates and export standards. Cardboard should not be used for direct contact with mirrored or brushed surfaces. 1. For high-end mirror and precision polished plates, it is recommended to use acid-free PE protective film and full coverage of pearl cotton sheets, ensuring the protective film adheres to the plate surface without bubbles or wrinkles to prevent friction from displacement; 2. For regular brushed and frosted stainless steel plates, neutral kraft paper or PP non-slip isolation paper should be used, ensuring full coverage without gaps and prohibiting localized use; 3. For thick industrial plates, non-slip EVA pads are suggested, focusing on covering the core areas of the plate while providing both slip resistance and scratch protection. All isolation materials must be free of sand particles and hard impurities to prevent secondary scratching.

Q4: Should the original factory protective film that comes with new stainless steel plates be retained during sea transportation? Can it be relied upon completely?

A: The original protective film should be retained in full, but it should not be solely relied upon. While the factory film can resist minor abrasions, it cannot withstand prolonged sea transport disturbances and load/unload dragging. In practice, additional mid-layer isolation paper or pearl cotton should be added on top of the factory film, along with a reinforced outer layer for double protection. It is also important to regularly check whether the factory film has any peeling, damage, or delamination, and replace it promptly if any issues are found.

Q5: How should a full stack of stainless steel plates be packaged to avoid internal plate misalignment and friction?

A: A standardized process of "layered isolation + overall tightening + rigid edge protection" should be employed. 1. The individual stack of plates must be aligned neatly to ensure no offset on the plate surfaces and edges; 2. After placing isolation materials between each layer, the entire stack should be wrapped in bubble wrap or pearl cotton to achieve full coverage; 3. The corners of the plates should be fitted with paper or plastic corner protectors, and edge protectors should be added to avoid deformation and scratches from edge compression; 4. Use high-strength packaging straps and non-slip pads to tighten the package effectively.

1. The Primary Choice: 316 / 316L Stainless Steel

Applications: Hotel facades, ocean-view balcony railings, outdoor signage, swimming pool perimeters, and seaside restaurant decorations.
The Reason: 316 stainless steel contains an additional 2%–3% Molybdenum (Mo) compared to 304. Molybdenum is the critical element for resisting "pitting" and "crevice corrosion," effectively neutralizing the corrosive effects of chloride ions found in seawater.
Advantages: In salt spray environments, the corrosion resistance of 316 is several times higher than that of 304. This ensures that the exterior finishes remain bright and pristine over time, significantly reducing long-term maintenance and refinishing costs.

2. The Secondary/Indoor Alternative: 304 Stainless Steel

Applications: Interior hotel lobbies (shielded from direct sea breezes), enclosed corridors, dry guestroom areas, and elevator interiors.
Recommendation: If the hotel is located more than 5 kilometers from the coastline and features a fully enclosed, air-conditioned environment, 304 stainless steel can be used for interior decorations to optimize the budget.
Risk: If 304 is used on balconies or in semi-open corridors, dense "tea staining" or rust spots may still appear within 1–2 years.

3. Strictly Prohibited: 201 Stainless Steel

Warning: The use of 201 stainless steel is strictly prohibited in coastal projects. The salt in the sea breeze will cause the surface of 201 panels to be covered in red rust within a few weeks, leading to a total failure of the decorative effect.
Pro-Tips for High-End Hotel Projects:

Surface Finish: For coastal projects, it is highly recommended to apply an Anti-Fingerprint (AF) Nano-coating on the 316 substrate. This not only minimizes water spots caused by high humidity but also provides an additional physical barrier to protect the metal surface.
Welding Precautions: In corrosive coastal areas, weld joints are the most vulnerable points for rust. It is essential to use matching filler materials (Grade 316 electrodes) and perform rigorous polishing and passivation treatments after welding.
Conclusion: To protect the hotel’s brand image and minimize long-term operational costs, the most professional configuration is Grade 316 for exterior applications and Grade 304 for interior dry areas.