Precautions for Cutting Acrylic Display Stands

In the production of acrylic display stands, laser engraving is the first step in the entire manufacturing process. While seemingly straightforward, it involves numerous critical considerations to ensure product quality. Please note the following points:

When purchasing acrylic display stand materials, emphasize to suppliers the need for high-purity acrylic. Otherwise, the purchased material may melt during engraving or cutting. Acrylic is the second most commonly engraved material after wood. It is easily cut and engraved, available in various shapes and sizes, and relatively low-cost. Engraving is typically done using the reverse engraving method—engraving from the front while viewing from the back—which enhances the three-dimensional effect of the finished product.

When reverse engraving custom acrylic display stands, mirror the design first. Use a fast engraving speed and low power settings. Excessive power during engraving may cause uneven striations on the base surface. For deeper engraving, multiple passes may be attempted. For localized coloring in back-engraved pieces, first engrave the areas to be colored deeper, then flame-polish them before applying color. Without polishing, the color viewed from the front will appear uneven.

Cutting acrylic is relatively straightforward. If client requirements are not stringent, the cut pieces can be delivered as-is without flame polishing. Otherwise, use a blowing device during cutting to improve cut quality. When cutting acrylic over 8mm thick, replace the lens with a larger size. After engraving, clean the surface with a damp cloth. Use acrylic paint for coloring; other pigments may damage the acrylic's glossy finish!

Acrylic display stands are produced via two manufacturing processes: casting and extrusion. Laser engraving machines primarily work with cast acrylic because it develops a very white frosted effect after laser engraving, creating a striking contrast with its original transparent texture. Extruded acrylic remains transparent after laser engraving, lacking sufficient contrast effect.