Resources

Short, practical references to help you order the right material, the right size, and the right finish the first time.

• How to Buy Acrylic Cut to SizeThe five decisions in a cut-to-size order — measuring, thickness, color, edge finish, and standard vs. custom — plus how pricing and shipping work.
• Best Acrylic for Laser Cutting & GlowforgeWhy cast beats extruded for lasers, the thickness and colors that cut cleanest, sizing sheets to your machine bed, and the plastics you must never laser.
• Cast vs. Extruded AcrylicHow each is made and how they compare for laser cutting, machining, thickness tolerance, chemical resistance, and cost — and which to choose.
• Acrylic vs. PolycarbonateClarity, impact resistance, heat, scratch resistance, edge finishing, and cost compared side by side — and which to choose.
• Plexiglass vs. AcrylicSame material, two names — plexiglass is the everyday name for acrylic sheet. Where the name comes from, the brands you'll see, and how acrylic differs from polycarbonate.
• Lexan vs. PolycarbonateSame material, two names — Lexan is a brand name for polycarbonate sheet. Where the name comes from, the other brands you'll see, and how Lexan differs from plexiglass.
• Custom Cut Lexan (Polycarbonate)Ordering Lexan — polycarbonate — cut to your exact size: the six thicknesses we stock, how to choose one, and why polycarbonate is saw-cut, never laser cut.
• Nominal vs. Exact SizesWhat “nominal” means for sheet thickness and dimensions, the tolerances we hold, and how to order when an exact finished size matters.
• Acrylic Color CodesHow acrylic color numbers work, the colors we stock (Clear, Frosted P95, White #3015, Black #2025), and what each is suited for.
• Acrylic Thickness GuideWhat thickness do you actually need? Shelving by span, table tops, frames, guards, signage, and the rule of thumb behind stiffness.
• Acrylic Edge FinishesSaw-cut, flame-polished, and diamond-polished edges compared — what each looks like and which to choose for your project.
• Cutting & Drilling AcrylicScore-and-snap, saw blade choice, drilling without cracking — and when having pieces cut to size beats doing it yourself.
• How to Clean AcrylicThe right way to clean acrylic, the household cleaners that permanently damage it, and how to deal with scratches.
• Acrylic Outdoors & UVHow acrylic holds up outside — UV stability, yellowing, thermal expansion allowances, and outdoor design tips.