Every Color Has a Place: How We Choose the Palette at Zadnerd Designs
When you're decorating your space, color is everything. A planter isn't just a vessel for your plant — it's a design choice that either ties a room together or creates a jolt of personality. At Zadnerd Designs, we take color seriously. Every shade we offer has been physically tested, compared against the rest of the palette, and only added if it genuinely works within our collection's overall aesthetic.
Here's a look at how we think about color, what's currently available, and how our planters look in a few of those shades in the real world.
Why We Test Every Color Before Offering It
Not every color that looks good on a swatch looks good on a planter. The 3D printing process — layer by layer, curve by curve — interacts with pigment in ways that can shift how a color reads on a finished piece. A color that appears muted in filament form might pop brilliantly on the fluted ridges of the Eclipse Series, or it might read differently on the flowing curves of the Sine Planter.
So we print every candidate color. We hold it up next to the other shades we already offer and ask: does this fit? Does it complement, or does it clash? If it doesn't belong, it doesn't make the cut. That's why our current palette of 20+ colors feels cohesive rather than random — because it is.
Made from PLA — A Plant-Friendly Plastic
All Zadnerd Designs planters are printed in PLA (polylactic acid), a bioplastic derived from renewable plant sources like corn starch and sugarcane. It's durable, lightweight, and free from the harsh chemicals found in conventional plastics — making it a thoughtful choice for a vessel that lives right next to your plants.
The matte finish of standard PLA gives colors a natural, organic quality, while our Silk PLA option delivers a smooth, glossy sheen for a more elevated look — closer to ceramic or polished metal.
The Color Collections
We offer colors across two finish categories: Standard PLA (matte finish) and Silk PLA (glossy finish).
Standard PLA — Matte Finish
Our matte colors are grounded and versatile. They lean into the handmade, tactile quality of 3D printing, letting the geometry of each planter design take center stage. This lineup includes 20 shades spanning neutrals, earth tones, bold saturated hues, and two metallic options (Gold Metallic and Bronze Metallic) that give a matte-metallic look unique to PLA.
[Insert your Standard PLA color options image here]
Silk PLA — Glossy Finish
Silk PLA produces a high-gloss, almost metallic finish that transforms the same planter designs into something that looks closer to ceramic or polished metal. The light catches the surface differently at every angle. We offer 11 Silk PLA shades including Gold, Copper, Rose Gold, Silver, Pearl, Champagne, and several deep jewel tones.
[Insert your Silk PLA color options image here]
See the Colors in Action
Color swatches only tell part of the story. Here's how a few of our shades look on actual planters from the shop.
Eclipse Series — Forrest
The Eclipse Series features bold vertical fluting inspired by the visual effect of a solar eclipse — its ridges catch light from every angle, creating depth and texture that makes any color pop. In Forrest, that depth translates into a rich, earthy green that feels grounded and lush alongside your plants. A natural pairing. Shop the Eclipse Series →
Sine Planter — Plum
The Sine Planter is designed after sine waves — vertical curves that stretch across the surface creating movement and depth. In Plum, those waves take on a deep, saturated magenta-purple that commands attention without feeling loud. It's one of those colors that looks even better in person than in photos. Shop the Sine Planter →
3-Bubble Planter — Terracotta
The 3-Bubble Planter's layered curves are inspired by the fluid motion of water — as light moves through your room, the bubbles create soft shadow play and gentle reflections. In Terracotta, the warm rust-orange tone makes the organic curves feel completely natural, like the planter was always meant to hold a trailing pothos or a succulent. Shop the 3-Bubble Planter →
Here are our standard colors:
Can't Find the Right Color? Ask Us.
Every planter we sell is made to order. That means if you have a specific color in mind — something that matches a room, a brand palette, or just a vibe you're going for — there's a very good chance we can print it. We work with thousands of filament options beyond what's shown in our standard lineup. Just send us a message and we'll see what we can do.
The two finish options — matte Standard PLA and glossy Silk PLA — are also interchangeable across most of our designs, so you can get your favorite planter shape in either finish.