If you’re looking for a printing material that is both durable and scratch-resistant, acrylic is the way to go. Acrylic is a versatile and popular printing material, thanks to its ability to be easily molded, cut, and printed on. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of scratch-resistant acrylic and how it can enhance the longevity and quality of your prints.
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What is Scratch-resistant Acrylic?
Acrylic is a type of plastic that is widely used in printing because of its clarity, durability, and versatility. This is often an alternative to glass, as it is lighter and more shatter-resistant. Scratch-resistant acrylic is a type of acrylic that has been specially treated to resist scratches and abrasions. This treatment makes the material even more durable and long-lasting.
Scratch-resistant acrylic is highly sought-after for various applications. Its scratch-resistant property makes it an ideal choice for areas where regular cleaning and maintenance are necessary. Moreover, it offers a cost-effective solution compared to other materials such as glass. Finally, the applications of scratch-resistant acrylic include retail displays, picture frames, and protective covers for electronic devices.
Benefits of Scratch-resistant Acrylic
There are many benefits for choosing scratch-resistant acrylic. Here are some of the key advantages of using this material in your printing projects:
Durability
Scratch-resistant acrylic is extremely durable and can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. Unlike other materials that can crack or break easily, scratch-resistant acrylic can hold up to repeated use without losing its clarity or quality.
Flexibility
Another benefit of scratch-resistant acrylic is its flexibility. This material can be easily shaped, molded, and cut to fit various designs and applications. It is also lightweight and easy to handle, which makes it an ideal choice for large-scale projects or installations. Additionally, scratch-resistant acrylic can be bonded with other materials, such as metal or wood, to create unique and customized designs.
Longevity
If you’re in search of a material that is durable and able to withstand harsh environmental conditions, scratch-resistant acrylic may be just what you need. This material is specifically designed to last, and is less likely to fade, yellow, or become cloudy over time – even with exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors.
Clarity and Brightness
Scratch-resistant acrylic has exceptional clarity and brightness. Its surface is free from imperfections, which means that prints appear crisp and clear.
One of the standout features of scratch-resistant acrylic is its high refractive index. This means that it is able to bend and refract light more efficiently than some other materials, resulting in enhanced vibrancy and depth of colors. Whether you’re using acrylic for signage, displays, or other visual applications, you can be confident that your colors will be bold and eye-catching.
Cost–effectiveness
Acrylic is an affordable printing material that is widely available. Unlike some other materials, acrylic is widely available and sourced at a relatively low cost. This means that it is a great choice for businesses and individuals who want to keep their printing costs low, without sacrificing on quality.
How to Use Scratch-resistant Acrylic
Using scratch-resistant acrylic is easy, but it does require some preparation and care to get the best results. Here are some steps to follow when working with scratch-resistant acrylic:
Preparation: Before printing on scratch-resistant acrylic, make sure that the surface is clean and free from debris. Use a soft cloth or microfiber towel to wipe down the surface, and avoid using abrasive cleaners that can scratch the material.
Printing process: Scratch-resistant acrylic printing uses a variety of techniques, including UV printing, digital printing, and screen printing. Depending on the printing method you choose, you may need to adjust your settings to ensure that the print adheres properly to the surface of the material.
Finishing and mounting: Once your print is complete, you’ll need to finish and mount it on the scratch-resistant acrylic surface. There are several options for finishing, including laminating, mounting, and framing. Choose the finishing option that best suits your project and desired aesthetic.
Maintenance and Care
To ensure that your prints look their best over time, it’s important to take proper care of your scratch-resistant acrylic. Here are some tips for maintaining and caring for your acrylic prints:
Cleaning: Clean your acrylic prints regularly using a soft, non-abrasive cloth and a mild soap solution. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can damage the surface of the material.
Storage: When storing your acrylic prints, keep them in a cool, dry place where they are free from sunlight and other environmental factors. Avoid stacking or leaning prints against each other, as this can cause scratching or other damage.
Repair: If your acrylic print becomes scratched or damaged, it may be possible to repair it using a specialized polishing kit. Follow the instructions carefully and use a light touch to avoid further damage.
Applications of Scratch-resistant Acrylic
Scratch-resistant acrylic is a versatile material. It is usable in a variety of printing applications. Here are some common uses for this material:
Photography: Scratch-resistant acrylic is a popular photography printing material because of its exceptional clarity and brightness. It can enhance the vibrancy and depth of colors in photographic prints, and its scratch-resistant properties help to protect the image over time.
Art reproduction: Scratch-resistant acrylic is also commonly used in art reproduction. Whether you’re reproducing paintings, illustrations, or other types of artwork, acrylic can provide exceptional clarity and longevity.
Signage: Scratch-resistant acrylic is a popular material for signage because it is both durable and lightweight. It can be easily cut and shaped to create custom signage that is both attractive and functional.
Display cases: Acrylic is often used to create display cases for museums, galleries, and other institutions. Its scratch-resistant properties make it ideal for protecting valuable objects while still allowing them to be viewed.
Furniture: Acrylic furniture has become increasingly popular in recent years. It can be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes, and its scratch-resistant properties make it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas.
Bonus: Best Acrylic Printing Companies
Moving forward, through research and surveying, here are the best acrylic printing companies to look out for. Main criteria for this list are their history, customer service, and quality of prints. Find the full list here: Best Acrylic Printing Companies in 2023
1. BigAcrylic
Big Acrylic is a leader in custom acrylic prints. They are a small group of creative professionals passionate in their craft. Pricewise, they provide boutique services without boutique prices.
Most of their transactions and clients are international. However, if you opt to visit their Montreal gallery, they’ll assist you in knowing their vast array of products.
Big Acrylic offers four types of acrylic prints – standard acrylic prints, anti-glare acrylic prints, backlit acrylic prints, and acrylic tabletop prints. Anti-glare acrylic prints remove the glare caused by the reflective surface of standard acrylic prints. Backlit acrylic prints use a backlight to enhance the colors and quality of the standard acrylic prints. Lastly, acrylic table top prints are acrylic prints that are smaller in size and stand neatly on desks and tabletops.
Verdict
Big Acrylic has a lead time of 6-7 days before shipping. Their prices for a standard 16×12 inches acrylic print stands at $76.23. They offer a redo for damaged products at their own expense. Overall, the creative options for acrylic prints stand out the most for Big Acrylic. If you’re looking for extraordinary customizations for your prints, this is the one for you.
2. WhiteWall
White Wall combines state of the art technologies with traditional printing methods. They have physical stores around the world such as New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg.
White Wall offers multiple types of acrylic prints, each having their own trademark. First, the gallery standard uses the original photo print under acrylic glass. Next, the best in class utilizes ultraHD photo print using Fuji Crystal Professional Archive Maxima Paper under acrylic glass. Lastly, they have two specialized products – the acrylic ultraHD metallic print and the original photo print under matte acrylic glass. The acrylic ultraHD metallic print doubles the resolution of your metallic photo – bright parts have a metal sheen under 2mm acrylic glass. Meanwhile, their second specialized product uses matte acrylic glass to reduce glare from the standard acrylic print.
Verdict
White Wall shipping takes up to 8 working days. The price point for a standard 16×12 acrylic print is $106.30. Undoubtedly, White Wall provides a high standard of printing but it comes at a higher price point. The range of variations they offer for acrylic prints utilizes distinct state of the art technologies. If choosing a world renowned company is your priority, go for White Wall. TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) awarded White Wall as the best photo lab of 2021.
Conclusion
Scratch-resistant acrylic is a versatile and durable printing material that can enhance the longevity and quality of your prints. Whether you’re creating photographic prints, reproducing artwork, or designing custom signage, acrylic is a cost-effective and reliable choice. By taking proper care of your acrylic prints and using them in the right applications, you can enjoy their exceptional clarity and longevity for years to come. If you’re looking for a printing material that can stand up to the wear and tear of everyday use, consider using scratch-resistant acrylic for your next project.
Afterword
We hope that you find this article helpful. Thank you for reading and you’re always free to leave a comment. If you find this article interesting, consider checking out one of our recently published posts. A few of them showcase advancements in technology such as AI Art Generators. On the other hand, if you’re looking towards Photography, we also offer great articles for your inspiration. We also have multiple articles that talk about the various printing mediums for wall art. May these articles give you inspiration for your next print!
Find them here:
Acrylic Prints: Add Vibrance to Any Space
Large Acrylic Prints: Create a Brilliant Impression
Best Acrylic Printing Companies in 2023
Stable Diffusion : AI Art Generator Spotlight
Master the Art of Aerial Photography with Our Techniques
