Sign material
Acrylic
What you use when the sign has to look expensive or has to light evenly. Cast and extruded are not interchangeable.
| Also called | Plexiglas, Perspex, Lucite, PMMA |
| Thicknesses | 1/8 in and 3/16 in for faces and panels, 1/4 in through 1 in for dimensional letters and standoff signs. |
| Outdoor life | Long, and it does not yellow the way cheaper plastics do. The usual outdoor failure is a crack from a stressed fixing, not the material giving up. |
| Ballpark cost | Varies widely by thickness and whether it is cast. Expect roughly 90 to 200 dollars a sheet for 1/8 in to 1/4 in clear. |
Ballpark trade prices for a 4 x 8 sheet as of August 2026, before markup. Yours will differ by supplier, region and how much you buy at once — treat these as a sanity check on a quote, not a price list.
What it actually is
Polymethyl methacrylate, either cast in a cell or extruded from a die. Cast machines and laser cuts far more cleanly and is what dimensional letters should be made from.
What it is good for
- → Lobby and reception signs on standoffs
- → Illuminated sign faces and light box panels
- → Dimensional letters where edge quality is visible
- → Anything where a polished edge is part of the look
What to watch for
Printing and finishing
Prints direct on a flatbed, including second surface printing on the back of clear so the ink is protected by the sheet. That trick is most of what makes a reception sign look premium.
Pricing a Acrylic job?
Our free sign price calculator works the way a shop does: size times material, plus the options and the setup, with the margin shown as you go. No signup.
Acrylic — FAQ
What is the difference between cast and extruded acrylic?
Cast is made in a mould, has more consistent thickness, laser cuts with a polished edge and machines without melting. Extruded is cheaper and fine for a flat face nobody looks at edge on.
Can acrylic be used outdoors?
Yes, and it holds colour well. The care is mechanical rather than chemical, so leave room for movement and never pinch it at a fixing.
What is second surface printing?
Printing in reverse on the back of clear acrylic so it is viewed through the sheet. The glass like depth is the whole reason lobby signs get specified this way, and the ink is protected from handling.
Your materials, priced once
Set your substrates, vinyls and laminates up once in PrinterFlo and every quote prices itself by size and options, with cost, profit and margin on the line as you build it.