Engraving Plastics: Part Four

This is the fourth in our five-part blog series on engraving plastics. Click here to read part three on the difference between cast and extruded acrylics.

When it comes to creating durable and visually appealing signage, nameplates, or custom designs, engravable plastics have become a popular choice in various industries. With advancements in material technology, manufacturers like Rowmark and Innovative Plastics Inc. have introduced a range of specialty engravable plastics that offer unique properties and characteristics. In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating world of specialty engravable plastics, highlighting their diverse applications and discussing notable products from these leading companies.

Glow in the dark

Rowmark's LaserGlow engravable plastic product line is a remarkable collection of materials that combine engraving capabilities with a captivating glow-in-the-dark effect. These plastics are designed to enhance visibility in low-light or dark environments, making them perfect for safety signage, emergency exit indicators, and decorative applications. LaserGlow plastics can be easily engraved using laser or rotary methods, allowing for intricate designs and precise detailing. While LaserGlow is primarily intended for indoor use, it can also withstand limited exposure to outdoor elements. With their durable construction and long-lasting luminescence, Rowmark's LaserGlow engravable plastics offer a versatile and eye-catching solution for a wide range of applications.

Reflective

Rowmark's Reflect-R-Mark and IPI’s Reflectors are engravable plastic product lines designed to provide enhanced visibility and durability for outdoor applications. These materials are engineered with reflective properties, ensuring high visibility even in low-light conditions. Reflect-R-Mark and Reflectors plastics can be easily engraved using laser or rotary methods, allowing for precise customization and intricate designs. With their weather-resistant construction, these plastics are well-suited for outdoor signage, wayfinding systems, and safety applications. Whether it's for traffic signs or outdoor displays, Rowmark's Reflect-R-Mark or IPI’s Reflectors engravable plastics offer a reliable and eye-catching solution that ensures effective communication and visibility in various outdoor settings.

Heavy duty

Rowmark's HeavyWeights is a rotary-engravable or routable plastic product designed for durability and versatility. With its thick and sturdy construction, HeavyWeights offers a substantial feel ideal for a variety of applications. It provides excellent engraving and cutting results, making it perfect for outdoor signage in challenging weather environments, such as a park, marina, or ski resort. It’s heavy-gauge three-ply polymer construction is durable, UV-stable, and scratch-resistant. Available in a range of color combinations that can be engraved on either side, HeavyWeights allows for precise customization and personalization.

Fire retardant

In certain applications and settings, customers may require an engravable material that is flame-resistant and not electrically conductive. For interior applications like safety signage, lock-out tag-out tags, or control panels, Rowmark’s Safe-T-Mark is an engravable sheet that compares favorably to traditional materials such as Lamacoid, Melamine, and Norplex. It’s available in a range of contrasting colors for easy visibility

Eco-Friendly

While plastic is not typically thought to be an environmentally friendly product, Rowmark’s new EcoMark engravable sheet plastic is made from post-consumer recycled materials, making it a smart, sustainable choice for your next project. EcoMark has a non-glare matte finish of micro-thin overlay, so it requires minimum cutting depth. It’s perfect for interior signage, personal identification, or award application projects.

Conclusion

Specialty engravable plastics have revolutionized the world of signage and custom designs, offering an extensive range of properties and functionalities. From glow in the dark plastic for enhanced visibility to fire retardant plastic for ensuring safety compliance, and from heavyweight plastics for a substantial feel to reflective plastics for improved visibility, these materials have transformed the possibilities of engraving applications.

As technology continues to advance, we can expect further developments and improvements in the field of specialty engravable plastics, unlocking even more opportunities for creative and practical applications. Whether you are looking to create captivating signage or durable identification labels, these specialty plastics provide a reliable and versatile solution for your engraving needs.

In fifth and final installment on engraving plastics, we’ll take a look at how to care for and maintain your engravable materials, both before and after fabrication.