In
paint technology, the
sheen is the
glossiness of a
paint finish.
Glossy and
flat (or
matte) are typical extreme levels of glossiness of a finish. Glossy paints are shiny and reflect most light in the
specular (mirror-like) direction, while on flat paints most of the light
diffuses in a range of angles. The gloss level of paint can also affect its apparent colour.