Journal

guides to sculptural lighting

Straight answers to what we get asked every week: how a 3D printed lamp is made, what size to choose, how to get the colour right, how long it takes and how to look after it. Facts from our own pieces, outside sources cited.

  1. FDM printers at work on U· tiles in the Rollo Studio workshop in Valencia Guide 01 High-gloss PLA or printed sand? Two ways to 3D print a lamp Rollo Studio makes lamps with two kinds of 3D printing. The U· Collection is FDM printed in plant-based PLA, then sanded, filled and painted to a high gloss in any RAL colour, made to order in 4-6 weeks. The Sand Editions are binder-jet printed in quartz sand and keep the raw, mineral texture and natural colour of the sand. Choose PLA for colour and a smooth, glossy object. Choose sand for texture, scale and a piece that reads as mineral. Read the guide →
  2. U·044 linear pendant light in Chalk high gloss over a dining table, Rollo Studio Guide 02 What size pendant light for a dining table or kitchen island? Hang a pendant about 75-90 cm (30-36 in) above a dining table or a kitchen counter. Keep a single pendant to about half to two-thirds of the table's width, and at least 30 cm narrower than the table. For a long table or island, use a linear pendant or a row of two or three, 60-90 cm apart. Our pendants come in three sizes, U·048 (31 cm), U·039 (49 cm) and the linear U·044 (65 cm), all on a 2 m suspension that is adjusted on site. Read the guide →
  3. U·021 ambient lamp in Oxide (RAL 030 50 40) high gloss on a wooden side table, Rollo Studio Guide 03 How to choose a custom colour for a lamp, from RAL code to your room Every U· piece is painted to order, so it can be one of our 35 curated colours or any RAL Classic or RAL Design code, at the same price and with no extra lead time. If your project already names a RAL code, use it. If it doesn't, send us a paint, fabric or tile reference and we propose the nearest RAL. Judge a painted sample in your own light, because a high-gloss surface reflects the room around it. One difference to know before you order ~ studio colours can be returned within 30 days, a custom RAL code can't. Read the guide →
  4. Hands joining painted U· tiles into one piece in the Rollo Studio workshop Guide 04 Made-to-order lighting: what happens in the 4-6 weeks A U· piece is made to order in Valencia and dispatched within 6 weeks, most in 4-6. In that time it is printed tile by tile, sanded and filled, painted to a high gloss in your colour, assembled, grouted, wired, checked and packed. Delivery then takes 1-3 working days in Spain, 2-6 in the EU, 3-7 to the UK, Switzerland and Norway, and 5-12 to the rest of the world. Aureole Sun VXS wall lights are in stock and leave within 5 working days. Larger sand pieces are made on request, with the date set in your quote. Read the guide →
  5. U·039 pendant lights in Chalk high gloss over a dark wooden kitchen island, Rollo Studio Guide 05 Specifying sculptural lighting for hotels and restaurants For a hotel, restaurant or bar, check six things before you specify a sculptural light ~ colour, light quality, where it can go, how it mounts, how many you need and when they arrive. Every U· piece is painted to order in any RAL code at the same price, with integrated LED at CRI 90+, 2000K or 2700K, dimmable, for dry indoor spaces (IP20). Spec sheets, drawings and FF&E data download from each piece page. Trade pricing, quantities and lead times come with a quote. Read the guide →
  6. U·018 sculptural table lamp in Garnet high gloss on a low dark table in front of a red sofa, Rollo Studio Guide 06 How to care for a high-gloss lamp Disconnect the power first (unplug the lamp, or switch off the circuit for a wired one), then dust it with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth. Never use solvents, abrasives, polishes or sprays. Keep the piece indoors and dry, away from radiators, heaters and direct sun behind glass, because PLA softens at around 55-60 °C. Leave anything electrical to us. Sand pieces are different ~ a soft, dry brush and no water at all. Read the guide →