The KitchenAid PrintShield finish and traditional Stainless Steel both offer a premium look, but they serve very different needs regarding maintenance and appearance. PrintShield is a special matte coating applied to stainless steel that resists fingerprints and smudges, while traditional stainless steel has a classic, shiny finish that is more prone to showing marks.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the right finish for your kitchen appliances.
KitchenAid PrintShield Finish
The PrintShield Finish is KitchenAid's innovative solution to the most common complaint about stainless steel: constant fingerprints and smudges. It's a specialized coating engineered to keep appliances looking pristine with minimal effort, making it a popular choice for busy households.
- What it is: A proprietary fingerprint- and smudge-resistant coating applied over a stainless steel base.
- Key features: Specially formulated to resist marks from hands, easy to clean with just a soft cloth and water, maintains a consistent, clean appearance.
- Price: Typically priced similarly or slightly higher than traditional stainless steel models.
- Style: Modern and sophisticated with a soft, satin-matte look that reduces glare. It offers a slightly warmer and less industrial feel than shiny steel.
- Pros: Excellent resistance to fingerprints, streaks, and water spots. Incredibly low maintenance and easy to clean. Looks perpetually clean, ideal for homes with kids or pets. The matte finish helps hide minor scratches better than a reflective surface.
- Cons: The matte finish isn't as bright or reflective as traditional steel. The coating could theoretically be damaged by deep scratches or harsh abrasives. Fewer models may be available compared to the standard stainless option.
This finish is hands-down the best choice for anyone who values a low-maintenance lifestyle and wants their kitchen to look clean without constant wiping.
KitchenAid Traditional Stainless Steel
Traditional stainless steel is the timeless industry standard, known for its bright, professional look that instantly modernizes a kitchen. Its reflective surface complements a wide variety of cabinet colors, countertop materials, and design styles.
- What it is: The classic stainless steel alloy finish without a specialized protective top coat.
- Key features: Bright, shiny, reflective surface. Provides a professional, commercial-kitchen aesthetic.
- Price: Often the standard price point for premium appliances.
- Style: Timeless and versatile. Fits well with modern, industrial, and transitional kitchen designs. Its high sheen reflects light, making spaces feel brighter and larger.
- Pros: Offers a classic, high-end look that never goes out of fashion. Reflective surface can brighten a kitchen. Broadly available across almost all models and brands. Easy to match with other appliances.
- Cons: A magnet for fingerprints, smudges, and water spots. Requires frequent cleaning to look its best. Often needs special stainless steel cleaners to avoid streaking. Scratches can be more noticeable on the lustrous surface.
This classic finish is perfect for those who love the bright, professional appliance look and are prepared for the routine cleaning required to maintain it.
KitchenAid PrintShield vs. Stainless Steel Comparison
Appearance & Finish
The most immediate difference is visual. Traditional stainless steel offers a light, bright, and highly reflective surface that gives off a commercial kitchen vibe. It acts like a mirror, bouncing light around the room, which can make a smaller kitchen feel more spacious. It's a crisp, cool-toned finish that is instantly recognizable.
The PrintShield finish, in contrast, is characterized by its soft, satin-like matte texture. It absorbs more light than it reflects, resulting in a deeper, warmer, and less jarring look. This low-sheen finish feels more contemporary and subtle, blending seamlessly into its surroundings rather than standing out as a reflective column.
Maintenance & Cleaning
Herein lies the biggest practical difference. Traditional stainless steel looks pristine for about five minutes after you clean it. It shows every fingerprint, water drip, and smudge. Keeping it clean requires frequent wiping, often with specific stainless steel cleaners and microfiber cloths to avoid streaks. It’s a high-maintenance surface, plain and simple.
PrintShield was created to solve this problem. Its coating makes it genuinely difficult for fingerprints to stick. Any marks that do appear are far less noticeable and can be wiped away with a simple damp cloth, no special chemicals needed. For ease of care, PrintShield wins by a huge margin. It's the practical choice for anyone who doesn't want to follow family members around with a polishing cloth.
Price & Value
On a model-for-model basis, appliances with the PrintShield finish are often slightly more expensive than their traditional stainless steel counterparts. The price difference is usually minimal, often less than $100 depending on the retailer and the specific appliance.
The value proposition for PrintShield comes down to convenience and long-term satisfaction. The small upfront investment can save countless hours of cleaning and the cost of specialized cleaning products over the life of the appliance. For many, that peace of mind is well worth the minor price bump.
Who Each One Works Best For
Traditional stainless steel is best suited for individuals or families who prioritize a specific polished aesthetic and are diligent about cleaning. If you love that bright, restaurant-kitchen look and have an established cleaning routine, you’ll be happy with this classic finish. It's also a great choice if you're trying to perfectly match older stainless appliances from other brands.
The PrintShield finish is a clear winner for busy modern families, households with small children or pets, or anyone who simply has better things to do than polish their refrigerator. If your primary goal is a beautiful kitchen that looks clean without constant effort, this is the finish for you. Its understated modern look also works well in open-concept living spaces where you don't necessarily want shiny appliances creating distracting reflections.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both KitchenAid finishes offer a durable and stylish foundation for your kitchen, but they cater to very different lifestyles and priorities.
Choose the PrintShield Finish if:
- You have kids, pets, or frequent guests and can't stand fingerprints.
- You prefer a less-is-more approach to cleaning and maintenance.
- You favor a modern, sophisticated aesthetic with a subtle matte look.
- You want your appliances to look consistently clean day after day.
Choose the Traditional Stainless Steel Finish if:
- You love the classic, bright look of a professional-grade kitchen.
- You don't mind a regular wiping and polishing routine to keep things perfect.
- You want to maximize brightness in your kitchen with reflective surfaces.
- Your priority is matching other traditional stainless steel appliances perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between KitchenAid PrintShield and regular stainless steel?
The main difference is the finish. PrintShield has a proprietary matte coating applied over the steel that makes it highly resistant to fingerprints and smudges. Regular stainless steel is uncoated, with a shiny, reflective surface that shows marks easily.
Is PrintShield completely fingerprint-proof?
It is extremely fingerprint-resistant, but not 100% "proof." Oily or messy hands can still leave a faint mark, but these marks are far less visible than on traditional stainless steel and can be wiped away effortlessly with a damp cloth.
How do you clean a PrintShield finish?
KitchenAid recommends using a soft, clean cloth with warm water. For tougher spots, you can use a bit of mild dish soap. Avoid using abrasive pads, steel wool, or harsh chemicals like glass cleaner or oven cleaner, as they can damage the coating.
Is the PrintShield finish just a coating? Can it scratch off?
Yes, it is a durable specialty coating. Like any appliance finish, it can be permanently damaged by a deep scratch from a sharp object. However, for everyday wear and tear, it is designed to be tough and long-lasting.
Is PrintShield the same color as stainless steel?
It is very similar in color, designed to blend with other stainless elements in a kitchen. However, due to its matte texture, it has a softer, slightly darker appearance and lacks the bright, mirror-like quality of traditional stainless steel.
Does PrintShield cost more than stainless steel?
Appliances with a PrintShield finish often have a slightly higher price tag than their traditional counterparts, but the difference is typically small and varies depending on the product line and retailer.
Can you use magnets on a PrintShield refrigerator?
Yes. The steel base underneath the PrintShield coating is magnetic, so you can still display photos, lists, and kids' artwork on your refrigerator door.
Which finish is better for a family with children?
Without a doubt, the PrintShield finish is the superior choice for a family with children. Its ability to hide fingerprints and smudges from small hands dramatically reduces cleaning time and keeps the kitchen looking much tidier.
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