The core of a ballistic plate is its internal materials and layering (ceramics, metals, composite fibers, etc.), but surface finishing determines durability, environmental resistance, maintainability, tactical adaptability and secondary fragmentation behaviour (spall / fragment control). A properly executed surface treatment can extend service life, reduce maintenance cost, optimize camouflage and infrared signature, and improve soldiers’ and officers’ survivability in combat.This article is written for tactical gear and ballistic equipment websites and systematically introduces common ballistic plate surface finish types, their uses and advantages, tactical significance, typical applications, quality and inspection points.