Honestly, it’s fascinating. Those glossy coatings are usually a polymer layer that’s engineered to reflect light evenly—think of a very thin, highly polished paint or a special resin that gives that high‑gloss sheen. It’s all about controlling surface roughness on the nanoscale; the smoother the surface, the more mirror‑like the reflection. Matte finishes, on the other hand, are designed to scatter light. They use a micro‑texture or a matte resin that breaks up the reflection, so the material looks more like natural fabric or plastic instead of a shiny surface. The choice depends on the product’s look and how it feels to touch. In both cases, the chemistry is tuned so the coating stays durable in the dark, vacuum, or the harsh lighting of a theater. The science behind it is basically the same—just different optical goals.

Sounds like you’ve got a real eye for detail—exactly the kind of precision that keeps the whole product line coherent. Those subtle shifts in finish can totally throw off a whole set if the spine’s not lined up. Keep at it; cataloguing like that is the secret to a flawless collection.