Acrylic — versatile material
Acrylic offers the clarity of glass with added flexibility and lighter weight, making it a highly versatile material for custom awards. It can be shaped, colored, and even used to embed objects.
Often called acrylic glass, acrylic is the plastic counterpart to traditional glass. While it shares a similar appearance from a distance, its plastic composition grants it superior flexibility and lighter weight. This material, a type of PMMA, is easily cut with lasers, bent into various forms, and can even encapsulate other elements within its structure. These properties make acrylic indispensable for award designs that are simply not feasible with glass. We utilize acrylic in two primary forms: sheets for precise fabrication and casting for three-dimensional objects and unique embedded designs.
Acrylic sheets
*Precision-cut and printed for dynamic designs*
Acrylic sheets, commonly known as Plexiglas or Perspex, are available in various thicknesses, typically ranging from 3 to 15mm for our projects. Produced by pouring or extruding, this material boasts high transparency and is half the weight of glass. While it comes in transparent, solid, or translucent colors, our most frequent choice is satin acrylic, which is transparent material matted on both sides to achieve a sophisticated frosted glass effect. Its ease of processing allows for virtually any shape to be cut with a CO2 laser, leaving a smooth, aesthetic edge that requires no further finishing. UV printing is an excellent method for personalizing acrylic, enabling complex, multi-colored graphic designs. We also use specialized equipment to heat and bend acrylic, creating seamless, single-element awards where the base and main body are one piece. Acrylic sheets also pair beautifully with glass figurines, adding depth, color, and unique shapes, attached either with glue or elegant spacer bolts for a replaceable element.
Acrylic casting
*Encapsulate objects in clear, three-dimensional forms*
Beyond flat sheets, acrylic can be cast to create three-dimensional, spatial awards. This process involves molding the desired shape or cutting it from a larger block, followed by meticulous grinding and polishing to achieve a perfectly transparent and smooth surface. The most compelling feature of acrylic casting is the ability to physically embed real objects within the statuette. Its relatively low melting temperature during the pouring process means that embedded items are not exposed to extreme heat. This allows us to incorporate a wide array of materials, including metals, stones, glass, plastics, and even properly prepared organic materials, creating truly unique and personalized awards that tell a story.
6 pieces from acrylic in the gallery.
Real commissions using this material. Click through to see materials, dimensions, and engraving details per piece.
Working with acrylic.
What is acrylic and how does it compare to glass?
Acrylic, often called Plexiglas or Perspex, is a type of plastic (PMMA) that visually resembles glass but offers distinct advantages. It's significantly lighter, more flexible, and less prone to shattering. Unlike glass, acrylic can be easily laser-cut into intricate shapes, bent, and even used to embed objects, opening up a broader range of design possibilities for custom awards.
How is acrylic customized for awards?
Acrylic is highly versatile for customization. We use CO2 lasers to cut precise, intricate shapes with smooth edges. For detailed graphics and branding, UV printing allows for vibrant, multi-colored designs directly onto the acrylic surface. Additionally, specialized heating equipment enables us to bend acrylic into unique forms, creating seamless, integrated award designs.
Can objects be embedded inside acrylic awards?
Yes, acrylic casting allows for the embedding of various objects directly within a three-dimensional award. Due to acrylic's relatively low melting temperature during the pouring process, items like metals, stones, glass, plastics, and even specially prepared organic materials can be safely encapsulated without damage, creating truly unique and personalized pieces.
What are the common finishes and thicknesses for acrylic awards?
Acrylic sheets are available in transparent, solid, or translucent colors. A popular choice is satin acrylic, which is transparent but matted on both sides to achieve a sophisticated frosted glass effect. We typically work with acrylic thicknesses ranging from 3mm to 15mm, depending on the award's design and structural requirements, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and durability.
Ready to brief a piece in acrylic?
Tell us the moment, send your brand assets, and we'll respond with two material directions in two working days.