There are near endless possibilities when it comes to laser cutting acrylic. Not only are acrylic sheets available in a dazzlingly large array of colours, textures, and finishes, but acrylic is also a hard-wearing and durable material that responds exceptionally well to laser cutting and laser etching. This makes it pretty popular for many laser cut projects, spanning from general arts and crafts to commercial laser cut signs.
Given the many different outputs that can be achieved when laser cutting acrylic, it’s natural to feel a little overwhelmed at the prospect of selecting any particular type of acrylic sheet for our technicians to work with – so let us help you out.
Today, our team at Vector & Raster Laser Services will be outlining all the different types of acrylic plastic sheets you can find and giving some pro tips on how to select the right acrylic colours, finishes, and thicknesses to align with your acrylic laser cutting project.
What are the Different Types of Acrylic?
Acrylic plastic sheets are available in a wide range of textures and finishes, with colour options across basically the entire colour spectrum. For example, in our catalogue of acrylic sheets here at Vector & Raster Laser Services, we have the following finishes available:
- Clear
- Coloured
- Fluorescent
- Frost
- Glitter
- Mirrored
- Opal
- Pastel
- Reverse engravable
- Satin
- Transparent
All of the finishes listed above can also be sourced across dozens of colours, ranging from matte black to opaque whites and even fully transparent sheets across a range of colours to provide an attractive tint.
Our acrylic sheets are also available in thicknesses ranging from 1-10mm and with standard sizing dimensions of 1200 x 600mm, with larger sheets available upon request.
Best Types of Acrylic for Different Laser Cutting Projects
Across this range, there are naturally acrylic plastic colours and finishes that are better suited to some projects over others. Below are some examples of acrylic laser cutting projects we’ve worked on that have unique materials selection considerations.
PoS Signage and Displays
Using acrylic for PoS display purposes is a no-brainer, because acrylic surfaces are so easy to keep clean and presentable. As acrylic sheets can also be cut into a variety of shapes, you can really personalise your PoS signage and displays to align with your retail brand or any of the products on your shelves you’re looking to promote.
Here, presentation is everything, which is why our laser cutting technicians love working with fun acrylic finishes, like mirrored, glitter, or transparent sheets. Mirrored acrylic signage and displays can be a good alternative to disco balls – just get your laser cutting technicians to cut out a hole at the top of your acrylic creations so they can be strung up, and then watch the light catch its surfaces as it gently swings throughout the day.
Commercial Signs
Whilst PoS displays may be put up for just a season or a sales promotion, commercial signs like office signage are more likely to be installed permanently. For this reason, you’ll want to firstly invest in a design that you’d be happy with over the long-term and maintain full visibility across all lighting conditions.
This means that any glossy finishes like mirror or glitter finishes are immediately out. If your business signs are obscured by harsh lighting, then they’ll be useless to you when welcoming guests like clients, or even for taking photos around your workplace. Always go for a matte finish and prioritise contrast in your design to ensure all lettering and logos are fully visible. If you need support with fine tuning your design, then be sure to work with our graphic designers, who are always here to help you get the very best results from your laser cutting projects.
Thickness and sizing are also major considerations when selecting acrylic plastic for commercial laser cutting. If your signs are too small, then they run the risk of not being legible or eye-catching from street views, for instance. And if your signs are too thin or too thick, they can be cumbersome to install safely.
Our laser cutters generally recommend the following thicknesses based on sign sizing:
- Small, wall-mounted signs: 2mm-3mm
- Medium-sized lobby signs, retail displays, welcome boards: 4mm-6mm
- Larger statement sizes, suitable for outdoor installation: 8mm-10mm
Have any questions about sign sizing? Then get in touch with one of our laser cutting technicians directly.
Interior Design and Architecture
Similarly to commercial signs, acrylic designs used in architecture often need to maintain particular sizing and dimensions to ensure they work well in the space they’re intended for. Some examples of acrylic designs being incorporated into interior design and architecture here include:
- Acrylic furnishings
- Acrylic decor (i.e. wall-mounted acrylic clocks, artworks, etc.)
- Stair infill panels
- Transparent or frosted acrylic room divider panels
- Acrylic cabinetry and splashbacks
For acrylic furniture like transparent acrylic plastic chairs, coffee tables, and console tables, structural integrity is naturally of the utmost importance – especially if you’re looking to sell your creations as an independent furnituremaker. Here, your acrylic project may require a few iterations to find the right thickness for your creations. The good news is that acrylic is so cheap per sheet that prototyping won’t eat up too much of your R&D budget!
Stencils, Templates, and Labels
Acrylic can also be an alternative to mylar plastics when creating your own custom plastic stencils. Here, most people opt for either semi-transparent or transparent acrylic sheets for stencil cutting, just because you can maintain full visibility over your design as you trace.
As acrylic is also corrosion-resistant and can withstand exposure to many harsh chemicals including industrial detergents, acrylic stencils, templates, and labels are suitable for the following applications:
- Automotive decals and badges
- Street art and graffiti stencils
- Wall murals and decorations
- Food and beverage decorations
- Signage and displays
Personalised Gifts and Jewellery
Every now and then, we get projects that come our way requesting custom acrylic designs for wedding keepsakes, like acrylic dinner menus or personalised acrylic decorations. Here, your acrylic materials can be selected based purely on your own personal preferences, which makes these amongst the funnest acrylic laser cutting projects we take on.
Personalised gifts aside, we also find ourselves working with independent creators and artists quite often as well, namely for producing acrylic creations like wall art, laser cut crafts, and even jewellery like earrings. Here, acrylic colours and finishes like glitter or even frosted acrylics can be great for creating unique and eye-catching statement jewellery pieces that are long-lasting and can be sold for low costs per unit, making them perfect for online and market stall craft jewellers.
Secure Quality Laser Cut Acrylic Designs with Our Laser Cutting Team
As far as laser cutting materials go, there are arguably none quite so versatile as acrylic plastic. From being cut into custom shapes to being suitable for etching and engraving designs directly onto acrylic sheets, these materials really offer great creative control when compared to alternatives like glass and other types of sheet materials that offer similar qualities.
If you’re looking for laser cutting services in Melbourne to take on your next acrylic laser cutting project, then be sure to get a quote from our technicians today.
Acrylic for Laser Cutting – FAQs
1. Can acrylic signs be installed outdoors?
Yes, an outdoor rated acrylic is corrosion-resistant and also boasts excellent UV resistance, it’s generally suitable for long-term outdoor applications.
2. How do you get smooth edges when laser cutting acrylic?
Smooth edges are created when adequate heat is applied to your acrylic during the cutting process. Our laser cutting equipment guarantees smooth, polished edges for all of our custom acrylic projects.
3. What are common mistakes to avoid when laser cutting acrylic?
It is best to avoid extremely narrow cuts, especially if they are parallel to each other and extend over long distances, as the acrylic will be susceptible to warping. Prototyping and test cuts can be important when working with acrylic for laser cutting to ensure designs maintain their integrity. Our laser cutting technicians are happy to work with prototyping and sampling to ensure you’re satisfied with the results of your laser cut acrylic materials prior to large project completion.
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