Its subtle textured surface on one-side creates a glare-free view from any angle, while showing off the natural beauty of your artwork and prints. This extruded sheet’s thickness tolerance make it ideal for braille signage. Its high optical quality and the fact that it contains 0% recycled content significantly reduce the occurrence of issues such as voids and char which can be found in other non-glare sheets.

Vector Files

• SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics): Ideal for laser cutting due to its scalability and precision.
• AI (Adobe Illustrator): Provides precise control over vector paths, popular among designers.
• DXF (Drawing Exchange Format): Common in CAD applications and supported by most laser cutting software.
• EPS (Encapsulated PostScript): Widely supported vector format, suitable for high-quality, scalable designs.
• PDF (Portable Document Format): Can be used for both vector and raster images; ensure the content is vector-based for cutting.

Raster Files (for Engraving)

• BMP (Bitmap): Suitable for high-resolution images required for detailed engraving.
• PNG (Portable Network Graphics): Supports transparency and high resolution, ideal for detailed designs.
• JPG/JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): Common for photographs and images; ensure high resolution for quality engraving.
• TIFF (Tagged Image File Format): High-quality, uncompressed format, suitable for detailed image engraving.

Additional Tips

• Vector vs. Raster: Use vector files for cutting and detailed line work. Use high-resolution raster files for engraving images and textures.
• Resolution: For raster images, ensure a resolution of at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) for clear and detailed engraving.
• Color Mode: Use grayscale images for engraving to control the depth based on intensity.
• File Preparation: Convert all text to outlines/paths in vector files and clean up unnecessary nodes for smooth cutting.

By using these file formats and following best practices, you can achieve precise and high-quality results in your laser cutting and engraving projects.

Differences Between Cast and Extruded Acrylic for Laser Cutting and Engraving

When it comes to laser cutting and engraving, the type of acrylic you choose can significantly affect the quality and characteristics of your work. Here are the key differences between cast and extruded acrylic:

Cast Acrylic

• Quality and Appearance
  • Higher Quality: Cast acrylic generally offers superior quality, resulting in a clearer, more polished finish.
  • Color Consistency: Better color consistency throughout the material.
• Laser Cutting
  • Edge Finish: Produces a smooth, flame-polished edge when laser cut.
  • Thickness Tolerance: Greater thickness tolerance, leading to more consistent cuts.
• Laser Engraving
  • Engraving Quality: Provides a white, frosted appearance when engraved, making it ideal for detailed and high-contrast designs.
  • Depth of Engraving: More consistent and deeper engravings compared to extruded acrylic.
• Cost
  • Higher Cost: Typically more expensive than extruded acrylic due to the manufacturing process.

Extruded Acrylic

• Quality and Appearance
  • Lower Quality: May have minor impurities and less optical clarity compared to cast acrylic.
  • Color Variability: Slight color variations can occur within the same sheet.
• Laser Cutting
  • Edge Finish: Produces a less smooth edge, often with a slight burr, which may require additional finishing.
  • Thickness Tolerance: Tighter thickness tolerance, which can result in more precise cutting dimensions but less flexibility.
• Laser Engraving
  • Engraving Quality: Engraving results in a more transparent look, which may not provide as much contrast as cast acrylic.
  • Depth of Engraving: Shallower engravings compared to cast acrylic, often requiring multiple passes for depth.
• Cost
  • Lower Cost: Generally more affordable than cast acrylic, making it a cost-effective option for less critical applications.

Summary

Cast Acrylic: Ideal for high-quality, detailed, and visually appealing laser cutting and engraving projects. It provides a better finish and more consistent results but comes at a higher cost.

Extruded Acrylic: Suitable for applications where budget is a concern, and the highest quality finish is not required. It offers cost savings but may require additional processing to achieve the desired finish.

By understanding these differences, you can choose the right type of acrylic for your specific laser cutting and engraving needs, ensuring optimal results for your projects.

Transparent Acrylic Sheets

Transparent acrylic sheets are clear and allow light to pass through them without significant diffusion, similar to how glass works. These sheets are perfect for applications requiring maximum visibility and light transmission, such as display cases, picture framing, and windows.

Translucent acrylic sheets allow light to pass through but diffuse it, meaning you can't see through them clearly. They provide some level of privacy while still letting light in. These sheets are often used for light fixtures, partitions, and decorative elements where you want a soft, diffused light.

Opaque acrylic sheets do not allow light to pass through at all. They are completely solid in color and are used in applications where visibility through the material is not desired. These sheets are ideal for signage, protective barriers, and artistic applications where bold, solid colors are needed.